Page 22 of Flirtatious

Patting me on the shoulder, she smiles. “Next time. I didn’t think of it this time because I’m used to them all. They’re so full of life. I love how they make Mia feel.”

Like the Mad Hatter?

I don’t say that, but instead take advantage of having Andrea here to ask her about the security on the tour. She explains that it’s hired out through her management company to local officials and contractors. Why she couldn’t tell me that the first time I asked her about this and every time since I have no idea.

“Then I’m going to need a full list of every agency and contractor involved and ASAP. I need to coordinate with each group in every city on the tour.”

I take a step to walk back upstairs, but Andrea’s look of confusion stops me. “Is there something wrong?”

She shakes her head, but it’s obvious she has some issue with what I’ve just requested. “No. It’s just that we’ve never done it like that.”

The noise in the kitchen suddenly grows loud enough again that my head starts pounding. “Never done what like that? I’m sure Michael as the head of her protective unit dealt with each group on the tour stops, didn’t he?”

“No. I’ve always been the one who’s handled things. The businesses we use are very professional and have never failed to keep Mia safe.”

Is this woman serious?

“So what did Michael do when Mia went out on the road?” I ask in stunned amazement that one of the biggest stars in the world has had such lax protection.

Andrea shrugs. “He went with her, of course.”

“To do what, exactly? See the sights? Take a vacation? What was he doing if he wasn’t making sure everything was in place with the security for Mia?”

“He was always nearby. It’s not like he left her alone or hung out at the hotel. I don’t want you thinking that’s how things were because they weren’t. I’m just not sure why you need to coordinate with every place that provides security for the shows.”

I lean down so I’m in Andrea’s face and answer her. “So no crazy maniacs get close to your daughter. She’s one of the most known people on the planet, Andrea. You don’t think there are people who want to get to her? Consider yourself lucky that she didn’t get hurt because of the way you people have been handling security up to this point. Christ, you should consider yourself lucky that someone didn’t just pluck her up and take her prisoner. She’s a superstar. People get obsessed with women like Mia. So get me that list and get it to me today so I can start to contact each of these people and make sure no one gets to your daughter who isn’t cleared to be near her.”

As I storm up the stairs, I can’t decide if Mia’s mother is simply negligent or actually someone who might want to see her daughter get hurt. Maybe not consciously, but damnit she has a funny way of showing she wants to protect her. She gets Jonah to convince me to take this job, supposedly because I’m perfect for it, and then she just thinks things are going to stay status quo when basically all her last head of security did was lounge around like one of Mia’s friends on an extended sleepover.

I should have known this assignment would be a nightmare just by how much he was willing to pay me to take it. All the warning signs were there, but I ignored them because my mother convinced me of something that isn’t remotely close to being true.

Thankfully, within an hour, Andrea emails me the list of each contractor and security personnel in the cities Mia’s scheduled to perform in, but it only takes a few calls for me to realize I need more men working directly with me if this tour is going to be as safe and secure as I want it to be. The locals Andrea has always worked with are good, but they aren’t good enough for one of the world’s biggest stars.

I find Andrea in her office down on the first floor near the living room and have to marvel at the quiet that’s come over the house. The entourage must have all gone out for the day. Thank God for small favors.

As I walk in to sit down so we can discuss how to get the men I need here as quickly as possible, she smiles and asks, “You got my email? I made sure to send it as soon as I got in here this morning.”

“I did. That’s what I’m here about. I need more men, so I’m going to contact Jonah at VIP today and get things moving so they can get up to speed before the tour starts. I don’t want to work with anyone who isn’t fully on board when things get going. I think four should do it.”

Her smile quickly disappears, and she shakes her head as worry settles into her expression. “Oh, Mia isn’t going to like that.”

“Well, I’ll explain it to her. She’ll see I’m right,” I say as I stand to leave, already tired after only half a day awake.

“You’re going to have to do more than that. Only Mia can approve your request. I may handle things involving security, but I technically stepped over the line when I got rid of Michael. If you want more men, you need to get her to agree.”

“Okay. I’ll handle that now because I don’t want any of us to be caught flat-footed when the tour begins,” I say as I head out to find Mia.

After our talk last night, I don’t anticipate any problems with my request. The woman gave me a room on her side of the house when she saw how noisy her crew was. This will be nothing compared to that.

I spy her out near the pool with the six of them and walk out there to get things moving on this project. All of them are sprawled out on chaise lounges in bikinis, all except Mitchell who somehow thought a white Speedo was a good choice for today. Stifling my need to chuckle at how idiotic he looks lying there, I stop beside Mia and look down at her.

It occurs to me that I’ve never seen her in a bathing suit in all the time I’ve lived and worked here. I had no idea she had such a great body. She never works out, so it must be natural.

At least that’s what it looks like in her black string bikini.

“I need to speak to you for a few minutes. Nothing big, but it needs to be handled today,” I say when she doesn’t open her eyes to acknowledge my presence.

She looks up at me and waves her hand to dismiss me. “Later. We’re busy.”

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