Page 13 of Trust My Bodyguard

I march toward the conference room Cliff lent us and open the door. The breathtaking view eases my boiling temper for one small moment. My mentor should be renting out this space for a good chunk of change every week, but he’s giving it to us for free.

Because he believes in us.

I can’t allow a little tiff to get in the way of business. I’m going to put aside my gripe with Ivy Ross and allow the guys to make an unbiased decision.

“There he is.” Nick grins at me. “How’s Mr. Punctual doing?”

I side-eye him. “I got held up for a good reason.” My gaze shifts left and falls on the woman standing opposite Nick and Zane. “Sera Bellerose?”

Her smile grows wider and she steps forward to take my hand in a firm shake. She’s way shorter than I am and is that purple in her hair? “Yes, sir. Nice to meet you once again.”

“Not sir. Just Brody.” I don’t need reminders of what I left behind. “What are you doing standing there?”

“I just came in.” She shrugs. “And I’m guessing, Mr. Yates and Mr. Everett don’t know who I am yet.”

“Guess which of us is Everett?” Nick winks.

We all ignore him.

“Yes, of course.” I usher her forward. “Nick, Zane, this is Sera. She’s our receptionist. Sera, Nick, and Zane.”

“It’s lovely to meet you both.” She gives them a wide smile.

Nick returns it while Zane’s face clouds over.

I settle into the chair opposite them, hands clasped before me.

“You should write a report and title it ‘My Reason for Being Late on the First Day,’” Nick says.

“Callum, my old buddy from the military, met me this morning in the lobby. He was coming to see me.”

“Sweet. When’s the get-together?”

I eyeball Nick, which makes him laugh. “It wasn’t a social call. He had two women with him and he needs us to take them on as clients.”

This time, their eyes light up with interest.

“Let’s do it.”

Zane and I turn to Nick.

He shrugs. “What? Whatever it is, I know we’ll be able to handle it.”

“Tell us the details of the case first,” Zane says.

I reiterate all that Callum told me. Zane grabs a notebook to jot down the details. He taps his pockets, probably in search of a pen. A moment later, Sera appears beside him, extending a ballpoint.

“Was anything left at their apartment to identify the invaders?” Nick’s investigative mind is working even before I’m done speaking.

“Callum didn’t mention that. But the police are looking through the building’s security cameras to see if anyone stands out.” I continue. “Aside from that, we have to consider the kind of clients we’re taking on.”

“It doesn’t matter that Iris is high profile,” Zane says. “I think we can handle it. We will put in measures to control who comes in contact with her.”

“That’s not what I meant. Her sister, Ivy, is tagging along with her.”

“And…” Nick prompts.

“Didn’t you hear what I said about her doubting us?”