Page 35 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“Perfect. Thank you!”
I stood outside long after Von had driven away; I could feel their eyes burning at the back of my neck. When I turned around, Natalie ran to her desk, but Raymond stood there and waved at me with the biggest grin on his face.
“Did you hear?” I asked as I walked back into the building.
“Hear what?” he asked.
“Von would like us to provide security for a private event next week. They needed the best. So, of course, she wants us.”
“Great. Who do you want to assign?” Raymond pulled out his phone. “I’ll make the calls and set the schedule. I assume she will send over the job notes to Natalie?”
“No, she wants us. You and me,” I told him, and he slipped the phone back into his pocket. “She liked how we handled the incident the other night and wants us to be there in case anything else happens.”
“Is she expecting something like that?” Natalie stood behind her desk. “What’s going on with that place?”
“I think it’s just a precaution. Besides, it is supposed to be an event full of execs. It couldn’t hurt for us to be in the room. Maybe we’ll overhear information about new opportunities to expand.”
“In that case, count me in!” He straightened. “What night? I’ll be sure to be there.”
That was it—perfect agreement. No snarky comment about how much I needed him or wanted him around me.
“Okay, what is this?” Ipointed at him.
“What’s what?” He shrugged then glanced at Natalie, whose mouth was slack.
“In my office,” I muttered and headed for privacy. Raymond followed me into the room, and as soon as he stepped over the threshold, I shut the door and turned on him. “Why are you doing all this? Being the perfect employee, working closely with the staff. Hell, even Natalie is referring issues to you. Are you trying to convince me to give in?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” He shook his head, an innocent look on his face.
I took a deep, calming breath to avoid further freaking out then pointed at the door. “Meet me in the gym.”
“You want to spar?” He perked up.
“Yeah, I’m going to get changed.” I wanted to knock his head off.
After quickly changing my clothes, I avoided eye contact with Natalie as I headed upstairs to the gym. With each step, I could feel her eyes watching me. And I swear she whispered something under her breath about me losing my mind, but I wasn’t about to stop and ask her about it.
The space was empty. I hadn’t considered that none of the staff had made it to the office yet, so we wouldn’t have an audience. That was a mistake, because Raymond stood in the middle of the gym in slacks and nothing else.
“Where is your workout gear?” I pointed at his pants and bare feet.
He glanced down and shrugged. “I didn’t plan on working out today.”
“I see.”
“We can still do this.” He stretched his neck. “You need time to stretch? Wouldn’t want you to pull a muscle.”
“I’m good.” I nodded.
We started just as we did before: simple tactics. But to be honest, I put far more power behind every attack.
“Did meeting with Von wind you up that much?” he asked as he dodged a punch. “I thought you liked her.”
“I do.” I went for a kick, which he slapped away. “My tension has nothing to do with her.”
“Oh, I see.” He grinned. “And what’s the source?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
