Page 6 of Divine

I looked around, wondering if I was the only one hearing this. Was I really being threatened on a job interview? What in the world had Carl gotten me into?

“Um, OK,” I replied, unsure of how to respond to his comment.

“Did you play football in high school? I wanted to wait until I saw you in person to ask.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I went to Wilcox.”

“I think you and my brother played football against each other. We went to Northside.”

“Hell yeah. My senior year we won our first championship in twenty years against Northside.”

“My oldest brother wanted to kill you for the interception in that game.”

I had to laugh. That was one of my proudest moments as a young bull. Football gave me an outlet for all the anger and frustration that plagued me when my parents weren’t using me for muscle. Even they were proud of me when it came to football.

“I still have that ball,” I told him.

“I’m not gon’ lie. Just knowing Bishop would hate to see you makes me want to give you the job on the spot.”

“Well, make sure you let him know I have that game ball if he finally wants to get his hands on it.” I laughed.

“Hell yeah. I like you. You kinda remind me of myself. So listen, the job pays a hundred and twenty thousand a year because of the nature of the detail. You’re going to be guarding a very important person. You can’t take that lightly, Liam, my guy.”

“Who is it, the President of the United States?” I asked, wondering who the hell was so important that a job protecting them would pay six figures.

“Nah. She might not be important to the country, but she’s important to me. Well… to my entire family. You think you can protect the merchandise?” he asked me.

I didn’t know why that made me laugh. “Positive. I have seven years of experience in security.”

I didn’t have to mention that the last time somebody beat my ass, I wasn’t old enough to drive. They had run a background check. I was sure they were privy to the important stuff.

“I know that much. I also know you did a year for battery. That don’t mean shit. I’m asking if you’re willing to get your hands dirty in honor of someone else. Making sure people know how to find their seats at a concert is one thing. Protecting someone you barely know just because it’s your job is another.”

“I would like to think I’m up for the challenge.”

“You can’t think, my guy. When it comes down to protecting my most precious gifts, you have to know.”

“I feel you.” I nodded.

“Did you order? The drinks here are good as shit,” he said.

“I told her to bring me the best seller. I’m more of a protein shake guy, but I didn’t want to be rude by sitting here and not ordering anything.”

“They do have protein shakes here, but you really can’t miss with anything on the menu.”

Right on cue, the young girl came back over and placed a drink on the table for me. I gave her a twenty and told her to keep the change.

“You ready to roll out?” Syre asked me.

“Uh, sure.” I shrugged, unsure about where the hell we were going.

As I followed him outside, he looked over his shoulder. “My brother already did an extensive dive into your background. Larry Grimes is your dad, right?”

“Yeah,” I answered flatly.

“It’s a wonder you don’t work with him. The old man should be ready for retirement soon.”

Oh, they were thorough. I didn’t know whether to be offended or impressed. I was so far removed from my folks that no one ever asked about them.

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