Page 32 of Absolution

Chapter 20

Leo

“How didyou get into the bodyguard business anyway?”

“Believe it or not, I just kind of fell into it. Donovan and I met in the sandbox.”

“Wait, Donovan? Donovan Jeffries?”

“The one and the same. Why?”

“I just hadn’t realized how long you two had known each other. That explains how you’re at Eden.”

“Yes, after my medical discharge, I didn’t really have any place to go. I remembered him telling me about Pinegrove and Eden, and thought it would be as good a place as any to start over.”

“Medical discharge?”

I patted my right leg. “Shattered my hip when a building collapsed. I set off all the bells and whistles when I try to fly. I had difficulty carrying my pack and running. Hell, even standing for long periods of time causes me some pain. They didn’t have any choice but to discharge me.”

“Wow, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s a risk we all take. I was luckier than a lot of people. At least I came home upright.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question.”

“I’d been assigned a couple minor bodyguard positions overseas. Nothing high risk. Once I got here, I looked up Donovan, and he who put me in touch with Connor.”

“Sounds like you’ve really done well for yourself.”

“I don’t think I did anything different than the next person. Believe it or not, I enjoyed the Army. It gave me a place where I belonged.”

“I’m happy for you.”

I studied her and while her words said one thing, her eyes said something different. Gina had always told me the only thing she’d ever wanted in life was a family. Wanting to try and do something to cheer her up, an idea popped into my head.

“Come on.”

“What?”

I stood from the table and pulled her up with me, nudging her out into the living room so she could grab her purse.

“We’re going for a little ride.”

I picked up my keys and held her hand again while I led her out the house.

* * *

“Franklin’s Boxing House?”She asked when I parked the car in front of the building.

“Yeah, let me introduce you to the guys.”

I followed Gina through the door, and instantly I was assaulted with the sounds of grunts, groans, fists pounding, male voices. And the smell; like a high school boy’s locker room. The scent of sweat, dirty socks, and male bodies was overpowering.

Several men called out greetings as we walked through the gym, and I could feel eyes follow us the entire way.

“Paddy,” I called out over the constant din of voices. “I want to introduce you to someone.”

He turned with a wave, and bound over while pulling off his boxing gloves.

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