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bodyguards in his employ was having some kind of crisis. Grace’s teenage charge, Victoria Mae, had slipped her security detail, and Brandon was dealing with a cantankerous old man who treated him like an errand boy instead of a professional.
A frown formed as he mulled over his last conversation. Gavin’s sister Cate informed her bodyguard, Stephen, that she’d call the police if he didn’t leave. The text she’d followed up with confirmed the threat though he doubted she’d follow through. He’d reassigned Stephen to help Grace in her quest to find Victoria. Then he called Scott and assigned him to Cate instructing him to be discreet and not let her know he was there.
Juggling personnel wasn’t his favorite part of the job. He preferred to be hands on working in the field. Unfortunately, on the rare occasions he had the opportunity to take a case himself, it was because a friend or family member was in danger, and he refused to entrust their security to someone else. He’d learned the hard way what could happen when you made a poor decision.
He spun his chair to look out over the city. If it had been up to him alone, he would’ve chosen to live somewhere less populated where the air was clean and the people friendlier, but Grayson chose New York City for their headquarters while Gavin had been serving overseas. Gavin took the path of least resistance and went along with his brother’s plans. But there were days when he thought he’d go mad living a stuffy life in an office and spending his weeknights locked inside a penthouse suite. Fresh air was non-existent in his so-called life of luxury.
On occasion, he took cases himself instead of assigning them to capable security agents, so he could get out of the office. A year earlier, he’d taken a job protecting his battle buddy’s girlfriend, Emily. His gut clenched at the memory of the case where he’d failed Sandra.
His assistant’s voice came through the intercom. “Cate’s on line three.”
“Thanks, Ben.”
“Cate, to what do I owe the pleasure of a phone call?”
“You know why I’m calling. Is there a reason you’re having me tailed by some goon?”
“Stephen is not a goon.”
“Avoiding the question is not going to deter me”
“Just wanted to make sure you stayed safe. I know U of P is a great school, but it’s a dangerous city. Stephen was there to protect you.”
“He was here to make sure I didn’t go to parties or spend time with guys.”
“That’s not true, but you should be focusing on your studies anyway.”
“I have a father. I don’t need my brother to act like him.”
“That’s not going to change, so deal with it.”
“Did you call him off?”
“I reassigned Stephen.” He wouldn’t mention that Scott would be close if she needed him. It would just raise her ire. “I’m sure Grayson isn’t going to be thrilled to hear you’re refusing your security detail.”
“I should’ve known he was in on it.” She sighed. “I’ll stay safe.”
“Make sure you do.” Philadelphia was teeming with riots, and the anti law-enforcement sentiment was pervasive which made it harder for the cops to step in when called upon. Being the daughter of a billionaire put a target on her back, so it made zero sense that she’d refuse protection. “I’m going to stop to visit Wade and Emily before heading down to Philly to see you.”
“No mission trip?” she asked.
“Not this year.”
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