Page 45 of Ruined Vows

He smiles winsomely. “I can always tell. You’ve got a different stance than these other college boys.” He nods to the other security personnel standing around the room. It’s clear there are people of importance here. “How many tours?”

“Two.”

“Thank you for your service.”

I give a perfunctory smile.

“I never served myself. Flat feet, you understand.”

It’s difficult, but I keep my eye roll internal as he continues, “But we made sure all you boys were armed to the teeth. I served at Ratheon for forty proud years.”

I shift to look over his shoulder, eyes always on Kira. And so I don’t punch this asshole in the face. I’m all for supporting the troops, but this fuck-head strikes me as a warmonger who’s made all his money off other people’s suffering.

“Sorry, can’t talk, I’m on duty tonight,” I say, hoping he’ll get the drift and move on.

“Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Kira’s my daughter.”

That surprises me enough to shift my eyes back to him for only a moment before centering them back on Kira again.

“And?”

“And her mother tells me you are quite the valiant protector.”

“Just doing my job.”

“Of course, of course. Frankly, I’d prefer to have a former soldier who’s actually seen some action looking after our girl than some asshole grunt with no real combat experience if you know what I mean.” He says it under his breath like we’re part of the same club.

We’re not. He was not my brother out in the sandbox. Considering the political connections in this room, this asshole was probably part of the powers that be that sent us there in the first place.

But I’m not some jackhole in my 20’s who needs to pop off every time some asshole in a suit thinks he knows me.

I know how to keep my cool. “I will keep your daughter safe.”

“Of course. Of course.” He pats me on my shoulder with too firm a grip, then clenches and squeezes. “I also heard you’re looking to set up your own private security agency. It’s hard to make it in this town. I should know, I’ve got several friends in the biz. A recommendation from me could really make you or break you.”

His friendliness is tinted with warning, and I get it now—why he came up to me like this.

I should’ve known. It’s always this way with guys like this, isn’t it? They think their influence is so all powerful because for so much of their life, it was. The truth is, he’s a dinosaur now. The world is moving on and leaving men like him behind. But not soon enough.

Good thing I don’t intend on fucking up this job.

I just chuff out a laugh and clap him on the back in return, a tad harder than necessary so that he lets out a little cough and frowns at me.

“Oh sorry there, Mr. Roberts. Gotta take it easy on old bones, huh?” I laugh softly again to intimate that I’m just joking. “Don’t you worry a bit. I’ve got Kira’s back.”

He pulls away from me, still frowning. “Yes. I’m sure you do. Just remember there are eyes on you, young man. The Roberts name still holds more sway in this town than you think.” Then he shifts again, all out glaring in an obvious attempt to intimidate me. “Don’t make me crush you. Next time you’re in a room with my wife, be more polite.”

All I can do is give him a tight smile as he turns on his heel and walks off.

Fuck. As much as I hate assholes like him, he’s the kind of person I’ll likely be taking on if this security agency gig really takes off.

If it’s not sunk before it can even get it off the ground because I piss off the wrong girl’s father. There are permits and licenses I have to get before I can really start my own company. Stuff I bet Mr. Roberts actuallycouldfuck up if he wanted to because the old bastard probably still is connected everywhere in the securities industry.

Then I shift my eyes back to Kira.

I still wouldn’t take back a single one of my actions since I stepped on this property. Or do anything differently if I had it to do over again.

I might understand people and be less of a hot head than I used to, but I’m not sure that’s ever going to make me politically savvy enough to bullshit my way to where I want to get.

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