Page 506 of Dark Love

“And you need security.”

“Quiet security.”

“She doesn’t know.” Ethan laughs. “Stalking is a crime.”

“Dahlia is traveling with a group of women, and she doesn’t want them to know.”

“Ah. So I’ll have the guy introduce himself, then fade away.”

Ethan won’t let it go. He knows very well that I don’t want Dahlia to know. “It’s not stalking when you love the person.”

“Well then… that’s a different story. I don’t have a guy in Vegas. But Taylor does. Let me get him on the line.”

I should have just insisted on going with Dahlia. She can’t stay mad at me for long. It would have been much easier than this. “I’m paying Taylor.”

“Course you are. Double his normal rate because of the short notice. But you’re still coming to dinner.”

“What do you need, Dad?” Taylor answers.

“Vex’s girlfriend is going to Vegas.”

“That pretty little thing you were having lunch with?”

If I were to punch Taylor for that, he’d punch back. And it would hurt. “Her name is Dahlia Fleur.” But it would definitely be worth it.

“He wants her to be quietly protected.”

“Are you dating her or stalking her?”

It wouldn’t be that hard to kill Taylor… I think. “Can you do it or not?”

“I can do it, but what kind of trouble should my guy be expecting?”

“A bunch of women in Vegas for a work convention.”

Taylor groans. “That’s going to cost you triple.”

The money isn’t the issue. “Trouble seems to follow my woman. She’s going to need a careful eye.”

“You should have started with that, boy. Should your woman be meeting my Emilia?”

“Dad, his woman is the sweetest thing you’ve ever seen.”

“Ahh, that kind of trouble. Put three men on her.”

The two of them think they’re funny. They aren’t, but they’re not wrong either. “Make it five. Her friends are probably as bad as she is.”

“And I’m adding on hazard pay,” Taylor says.

Fair enough. There should be a picture of Dahlia in my office. “That works. Send me a bill, including the currency you wish to be paid in and the country.”

“That’s what I like about you. You’re always open to creative accounting. I’ll have it for you this afternoon. I’ll need flight and hotel information. And Dad, can I come to dinner to watch you torment Vex?”

“Sure thing. Emilia has been talking about finding someone nice for you.”

It’s my turn to laugh. Nosy old people are intent on tormenting us.

Ties

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