Page 25 of Stars and Scars

Now he’s a civilian, just like the rest of us at Platinum Security. But you know what they say. You can take the soldier out of the war, but you can’t take the war out of the soldier. I can pick up on a dozen signs of his former military service just on the way he walks, breathes, and scans the lobby when he enters the hotel.

“Is that your guy? I don’t recognize him from the Platinum Security webpage.”

“He’s relatively new, like me. His name’s Cole. Kind of intense, but a good man.”

She gives me a look as Cole spots us and moves in.

“You think someone else is intense? You?”

I let her sassy comment go, but part of me likes the fact she feels like she can joke around with me. The implied intimacy fuels my fiery fantasies, and that’s not a good thing. I again resolve not to give in to temptation. I have to remain focused. Her life may very well depend on it.

I stand up as Cole approaches, and after a moment, Charlotte does too. I clasp hands with him.

“Thanks for coming.”

“I was in the neighborhood, more or less. Is this your client?”

“Yes, it is. Cole, meet Charlotte. Charlotte, meet Cole.”

“Oh, the influencer. I heard the guys at the office talking about you.”

They shake hands and Charlotte grins.

“All good stuff, I hope.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Cole turns to me as I hand him the hotel key.

“I haven't vetted everyone who works here, let alone the guests, but it should be safe enough for a couple of hours.”

“I’ll keep an eye out.”

He pats his side, where he has a concealed Sig Sauer pistol. Anyone who tries to mess with Charlotte while I’m gone is going to regret it, and damn fast.

“Thanks.”

I turn my gaze on Charlotte, and all of the sudden I don’t know what to say.

“Ah, I’ll be back soon. You’ll be safe with Cole.”

“I know. Hey, Grayson?”

“Yeah?”

Her eyes swim with a sea of troubles.

“Be careful, huh? I…I’d rather you didn’t get killed.”

Cole’s brows arch as he looks between me and Charlotte.

“I’ll be careful.”

It's literally all I can think of to say. I’ve been all around the world, and can speak six different languages, and yet Charlotte makes me feel like a wet behind the ears schoolboy. Shit, I’ve talked plenty of women into my bed. I’m supposed to be good at this.

Is it harder with Charlotte because I actually like her?

I turn away from them and go back outside to the jeep. I try to keep my mind on business, but Charlotte keeps invading my thoughts. Checking the address that Malloy sent me, I program it into the map. Then I trade texts with him.

---