Page 40 of Flirtatious

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jack nod. I have a feeling it isn’t going to be long before I pull him aside and tell him to cut the damn funny business. I don’t need dissension in the ranks while I’m dealing with everything else Mia dishes out.

“What aren’t you telling us?” Drew asks directly.

I’ve avoided getting into the craziness of Mia’s entourage, but I can’t sidestep that and the issue of her stalker any longer. As I start walking toward the back of the property, I struggle to find a way to explain what this job is really like. Mia can be a wonderful person to be around, but when she’s not, she’s hell on wheels. And those people she keeps here are a royal pain in the ass, but I don’t want to come right out and say that. On top of all of those things, the security Andrea keeps around all the time doesn’t seem to care as much about the client as I’d like them to.

None of these things will make any of these guys happy they took this job because I specifically asked for them, so I try to soften the reality a little while still being truthful. It’s a fine line, to be sure.

“Why don’t you tell us about Mia? I mean, she’s gorgeous and the entire world loves her, but what’s she like?” Jack asks.

I take a deep breath and stop near a group of palm trees. “She’s nice. She lives here with her mother and a bunch of people just arrived earlier this month. They’re her crew, or that’s what she likes to call them. Hairdressers, a fitness guy, a choreographer, someone who does her makeup, and a life coach. I haven’t seen the personal shopper yet, but I’m sure she’ll wander in at some point.”

“Wander in?” Kip asks quietly. “Sounds like this isn’t a very tight ship here, Liam. That’s not your style at all.”

All four of them look at me like that’s exactly what each of them is thinking. “Yeah, I know, but it’s been a challenge getting everyone here on the same page. People like us have different temperaments than artists and their friends, I guess. It’s fine. The security at the front gate, which is the only way in unless you want to electrocute yourself, is good. Those guys are top notch. It’s the others that her mother’s kept around for a while who don’t seem to be at our level. That’s why I wanted you guys here with me.”

Drew slaps me on the back, throwing his head back in laughter. “I bet you’re going out of your mind here. Artists and their temperaments aren’t really your style, man.”

“Well, if any of them drive you crazy, the gym here is first-rate. I find that’s the best place to take out my aggression.”

I want to say the day after the crew arrived and that ridiculous goat noise woman who claims to be a life coach started with her nonsense, I spent extra time lifting that day. Either that or I was going to throw that woman in the pool. Repeatedly.

“Okay, so a bunch of artist types who don’t follow the rules? Am I getting this straight?” Brett asks.

“Pretty much,” I say, preferring not to go into it any more. He and the others will realize just what I mean soon enough. “Andrea is Mia’s mother. She’s also her manager. You don’t have to deal with her if there are any issues, though. Everything will go through me.”

“Sounds pretty straightforward. Why do I get the feeling you’ve left the biggest thing for last?” Drew asks, knowing me all too well.

I take a deep breath in and let it out in a rush. “I have. She’s got a stalker. I just found out about him myself a couple days ago. See? That’s what I mean about things being lax. You’d think someone would have mentioned that right off when I came here as her head of security, but no. Nobody said a word until she got another letter.”

“Just one?” Kip asks.

“As of now. He seems to send one every time she’s about to go out on tour. Well, almost every time. He didn’t do it last year. I haven’t found any reason why that is. The letter went through the post office, so I checked with them and they say it was mailed right in downtown Tampa. That’s all I have so far, other than he misspells you’re. I’m guessing a young guy, maybe local, but I don’t know yet. Since Mia rarely leaves here, it’s not a huge issue until she heads out on her tour. That’s the main reason I wanted all of you on this job with me.”

“You coordinate with the local people on security for her concerts, or are you in charge of finding enough people for that too?” Jack asks in a rare moment of seriousness.

“Her mother has always gone with locals, which I’d prefer not doing, but there’s not enough time to change that for this tour,” I answer, leaving out that I was brought on when the last head of security, that dickhead Michael, got fired just a little over a month before her tour starts.

All four men nod their understanding, no doubt agreeing with me that one person handling all the security details would be preferable. There’s nothing I can do about it now, but having these men with me to cover as much ground as possible will hopefully be enough to keep Mia safe wherever we have to go.

“Okay, that’s about it. Take the day to look around and get used to the place. We’ll meet up again tomorrow when I hopefully have something more on that letter and where exactly it came from. I’ll have your specific assignments then too. Until then, enjoy yourselves. Anybody have any questions?”

Jack, of course, steps forward with a big grin on his face. “Now when you say enjoy yourself, exactly what does that mean? Because I saw a pool on our little walking tour this morning, and I could do with a nice swim.”

“Feel free to go anywhere you want, but if Mia and her people are there, come back later,” I say with a chuckle, imagining how ugly it might get if we all descended on the pool while they were having their meditation time.

Behind me, I hear someone call my name, and I turn around to see Mia marching toward me in a red bikini and her white cover-up. I’d planned on introducing her to my crew later today, but now seems as good a time as any.

That cover-up of hers flies behind her she’s walking so fast, and she starts talking before she even reaches me. “Liam, I’ve been trying to find you for half an hour. Where have you been?”

“Right here. These are the additional security detail I’ve brought on. Let me introduce you.”

I don’t even get the first name out before she snaps, “Later. I’m not really interested in meeting anyone right now. Maybe you should do that when I’m not running around this entire goddamned estate looking for you. I need you to talk to my mother about these guys anyway, so go find her now.”

Mia turns on her heel to hurry away, that white cover-up trailing behind her again. I’m not sure why she needed to be so rude, but I don’t appreciate being made a liar in front of my people after I told them not ten minutes ago she was nice.

Without looking at them, I say, “I have to go deal with her mother. Remember, if Mia or her people are where you want to be, go somewhere else.”

By the time I reach Andrea’s office, I’m fuming mad. I still have no idea what the hell her daughter wanted, and the fact that she chose to be so short with me in front of the men I have to work with pisses me off more with each passing moment.

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