Page 65 of The High Priestess

Most of the men and women I’ve met in the Navy and Army have gone into some kind of security business or ended up doing private jobs like this one.

But none of these guys have crossed the line like I have. Not that I’m aware of.

When I step out of the house, they all look at me, and it takes a few seconds before a smile splits over Davies’ face. He’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a brother, but we drifted apart after I lost Ronnie.

“Fuck, Knight,” Davies says as he walks toward me. “It’s been a hot minute since we last saw each other, brother.”

When I reach out my hand, he slaps it away and goes in for a hug, patting me hard on the back.

He pulls back and lets out a chuckle, “Still as ugly as I remember.”

“Fuck you,” I mutter playfully before I shake Miller’s and Saunders’ hands. “Thanks for coming.”

“The money wasn’t something we could pass up on,” Saunders says, then he glances past me toward the house and lets out a whistle. “Who’s the babe?”

I level him with a look of warning. “My woman and your boss. Treat her with respect.”

“Your woman?” Davies looks shell-shocked at the news. “You were never one for romantic relationships.”

I let out a sigh and get down to business. “Her name is Cassia Dimitrou. She’s the head of the Greek mafia. Her organization just took one hell of a hit from the Russians, and it’s our job to protect her while she goes to war to take back what’s hers.”

“That’s it?” Miller asks. “Just protection?”

“There will be combat to push the Russians out of Greece.”

Miller chuckles. “Thank fuck. You made it sound like we’ll be nothing more than glorified bodyguards.”

I shake my head, the corner of my mouth lifting. “There will be plenty of opportunities for action.”

When I start to turn around, Davies grabs my shoulder. “Hey, wait up. Tell us how you’ve been.”

“Good.” I let out a breath, then ask, “You?”

“Better than you by the looks of things.” He stares at me for a few seconds before compassion settles on his face. “How are you holding up after what happened with Ronnie?”

“I’m fine,” I mutter, my tone too harsh. “Let me introduce you to Cassia. We have a lot of work to do.”

As I walk the short distance to Cassia, the image of Ronnie flits through my mind, and I clench my jaw.

Cassia’s gaze moves between me and the men before she locks eyes with me. She instantly notices my clenched jaw and steps toward me, asking, “Everything okay?”

I nod as I stop next to her before placing my hand on her lower back. Pointing out the men, I introduce them to her. “Oliver Davies, Levi Miller, and Asher Saunders.”

Cassia nods at them with the grace of a fucking queen. “Thank you for coming. You’ll get your orders from me.”

They nod, then Davies holds out his hand to her, and with a broad smile, says, “Knight tells me you’re dating. You deserve a medal for putting up with his special brand of shit.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I mutter. “Don’t listen to the fucker. He’s a little mental since a landmine almost blew him to pieces.”

Davies knocks on his prosthetic leg. “I can kick your ass with the upgrade I got.”

Cassia glances between me and Davies with wide eyes, not sure what to make of our banter.

To set her at ease, I say, “Don’t worry. We used to be good friends.”

A frown forms on Davies’ face. “Used to? Is that how it is?”

Fuck.

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