Page 16 of Guarded from Treachery

Meeting Isla’s gaze, I smile at her as I reply, “I’m glad you liked it. Usually my fridge is pretty empty, but I just placed a grocery order today. I know ham and swiss isn’t exactly gourmet…”

“It was perfect,” she says. “Ham and swiss with mustard is my favorite. And it’s just what I needed. I feel much better now.” Pausing, she turns towards me and touches my hand. “Thank you, Matt. I’m sure this isn’t the typical visit you get from people looking for help. Someone showing up at seven at night, practically fainting on you—” Her cheeks flush. “I’m sorry to be such an inconvenience.”

“You’re not,” I assure her. “In this business, we find that problems often come up at the most unexpected times. That’s one of the reasons we always have a team member on site.”

“And I happened to call when it was your turn?”

“You did.”

“Well…” Her expression softens. “I’m glad you’re the one here. And I’m really glad you agreed to let me come.” A pause, and then, “Matt… I meant what I said over the phone. That I was going to call. It’s just… things got so crazy. Scary.”

Drawing in a breath, I let it out slowly before asking, “Do you feel ready to talk about it? Or do you need more time? I can get you something else to eat, or more water?”

Just like that, Isla’s posture stiffens again. Her hands clutch together, fingers twisting nervously. After a brief pause, she says softly, “No. I’m okay.” Another pause. “And yes. I can talk about it. I’m sorry for taking up?—”

“You’re not.” It’s gently firm. “Trust me, Isla, you’re not keeping me from some exciting activity. If you weren’t here, I’d probably be splitting my time between checking on the security cameras and playing one of my games.”

“Oh?” Her eyes light with interest. “What kind of games?”

Shit. Why did I mention my games? Like she wants to hear about the world I’m building inMinecraft? Or the newest level I reached inZelda?

“Oh, just some computer stuff,” I reply vaguely. “Nothing too thrilling.”

“Okay…” A tiny line forms between her brows. Her teeth bite into her full lower lip, worrying it. “So… I’m not sure where to start.”

As I watch her foot start to jitter, I cast about for a way to reassure her. Usually, when we meet with prospective clients, Dante takes the lead while I sit at my laptop taking notes, only speaking up when there’s a specific detail I need. Dante’s good at calming clients down during an undoubtedly stressful situation—no one likes having to talk about whatever traumatic events brought them here—but I’m at a loss.

“Well.” I grab my tablet off the coffee table and flip the cover open. “I guess we should start with?—”

Shit. Now she’s all pale again.

Switching gears, I say, “How about we start with Blade and Arrow. I know you checked out our website and that tells quite a bit about our company, but maybe it would help if I told you a little more. Would that be okay?”

Surprised relief flickers across her gaze. “Yes. That would be… great. I’d love to know more.”

“Alright.” Adjusting my position on the couch, I turn so I’m facing her. “So, Blade and Arrow Security has two purposes. Half our time is spent working private jobs—setting up security systems, coordinating security for large events, and sometimes providing protection for high-value clients. CEOs, politicians, celebrities…”

Isla’s lips quirk. “People who can afford six former Special Forces with over eighty years of experience?”

Clearly, shedidcheck out our website.

“Exactly. But that’s not why Blade and Arrow was formed. The founder—his name is Cole Mitchell, and I used to serve with him in the same Green Beret battalion—created B and A to help people who have nowhere else to turn. People who don’t have the money to pay for private security, the police won’t help due to lack of evidence, or maybe they just don’t have the connections to get the assistance they need. That’s where we step in. And we provide our services pro-bono. Protection, investigation, even a safe place to stay. We’ll do whatever it takes to help our clients.”

Isla nods, understanding in her eyes. “So you make your money off the rich clients, and take some of it to cover the expenses for the people who can’t afford it.”

“Pretty much.”

“That’s awesome, Matt.” Admiration tinges her voice. “I can see why you’d want to work here. Being able to help people like that.”

My chest warms. “Well, after I left the Army, I still wanted to do something useful. And then Cole asked me about coming to Texas to help start up a new branch of Blade and Arrow Security and it seemed like the perfect solution.”

“It does.” Isla takes a deep breath and holds it for a few seconds. Then she lets it out in a rush. “I think I’m in trouble, Matt. But I went to the police and they said I was lying. That I’m crazy. My parents basically said the same thing.”

And there it is.

Keeping my voice low and soothing, I ask, “What did you go to the police for?”

Her knuckles go white as she twines them together. “I didn’t go right away. At first… I thought maybe Iwasbeing paranoid. After that man in the parking lot…” She shudders. “I kept looking for him. Walking to my car after work, going to the grocery store, everywhere, really. I know the police think it was just a random robbery attempt, but I couldn’t help worrying.”

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