Page 10 of Stars and Scars

Grayson nods, his gaze growing distant.

“I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with them. Most cults are relatively small, and limited to a specific geographic area. The Aegis Order seems to have a wider focus. Whether or not they have a reach to match that focus remains to be seen. I mean, this could be a joke.”

I lick my lips nervously and gesture toward my phone.

“Do you really think this is a joke or a prank?”

Grayson inhales deeply, his nostrils growing narrow. He holds his breath for a long moment as he locks eyes with me. My belly feels tickly, despite my anxiety about the Order.

“No.”

The level of certainty, of finality in his tone drives home the seriousness of my situation. If a guy who’s dealt with the worst of the worst society has to offer is worried, then I am too. I’m damn worried.

“Ah,” Jax says, realizing the tension has thickened in the room. “Grayson has the knowledge and skill set to keep you safe from the Order, though. Right, Grayson?”

Grayson nods, turning his gaze off of me. Thank goodness, I was about to turn into a puddle on the floor.

“As long as she does exactly what I tell her, yes.”

Jax chuckles, and tries to smile reassuringly.

“Grayson might sometimes ask you to do something that doesn’t make any sense to you at the time, but please trust his instincts and his training. His number one priority is keeping you safe from harm…”

Jax turns back to Grayson and stares him down.

“However, I’m sure he can perform this duty without resorting to being a, to use the parlance of our times, a huge dick.”

I can’t help it. His jibe comes out of nowhere and I have to laugh. Grayson the Ghost doesn’t laugh, of course. He doesn’t even crack a smile.

“I’ll do my best not to run off your clientele, Jaxon. But for the time being, I can’t babysit her. I have to work my contacts, follow up on leads, and dig up what I can on this cult. Shouldn't take me more than a week.”

I flinch, because I’d been under the impression Grayson was my bodyguard. I turn to Jax with confusion. To my relief, Jax seems just as discombobulated. His brow comes low over his eyes and he tilts his head to the side.

“I think you misunderstand what we do here at Platinum Security, Grayson. Our primary objective is to protect our clients. It’s going to be hard to do that if you’re not physically present.”

Grayson frowns, but otherwise has no reaction.

“I see. What about my contacts?”

“I’m sure a clever guy like yourself will figure out how to get your job done under the restrictions applied.”

I look between the two men, pursing my lips.

“Um, look, I don’t want to cause any trouble–”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Jax says smoothly. He shoots a glance at Grayson. “Is it, Grayson?”

Grayson stiffens up, almost like he’s at attention.

“No, Sir. No trouble at all.”

Grayson turns to me and bows his head slightly.

“I’m sorry if our banter made you uncomfortable. I’ll try not to do that again.”

I don’t think that he can keep that promise. Just being near him makes me uncomfortable, though for admittedly good reasons.

“No problem. As long as you’re not going to be resentful, or passive aggressive later,” I say carefully.

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