Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 150878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 754(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 150878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 754(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
It’d also become exceedingly clear in the last few minutes that Mrs. Swanson had lied. Emily had not been thrilled to hire me. Not even close. She’d most likely been guilted into it. The realization was humiliating. But I supposed it was a fair trade. If I was disappointed in what she’d become, there was a good chance she was disappointed in me too. I wouldn’t exactly blame her, but that didn’t mean it didn’t sting.
“I’m glad the timing worked out for both of us,” she said, gesturing to the couch and then sitting in the chair across from it. I hesitated, then sat down gingerly, beginning to lean, but realizing the back was tilted at a strange angle that would force me to practically recline, and so I remained upright. “I’m sure things have been…challenging for you,” she said, her eyes sliding away as though she was uncomfortable talking about my hardships.
“You’ve really done great,” I said, turning the conversation away from me. My challenges were the last thing I wanted to talk about with her. I glanced around the room. Whether it was my personal taste or not, I was pretty damn certain that the decor had come with a substantial price tag. She seemed to fit her surroundings. All perfection and gloss and superficial beauty. “You’ve become everything you ever wanted to be.” Had she though? Was this how she imagined her life would look once she’d found fame? Still, she was hugely gifted, and it was nice to know that sincere talent was rewarded. “You deserve it, Emily. You were always a beautiful singer.”
She held my gaze for a moment as though searching for something, but then blinked and looked away. “Thank you, Tuck.”
“You’re welcome… Should I call you Emily or Nova?” I asked, tipping my head.
“Emily. Unless we’re working.” She waved her hand in the air. “It can be kind of hard to switch back and forth, but I’m sure you can manage it.”
“I’m sure I can.” Plus, I didn’t imagine there was a lot of talking that went along with the job.
There was another awkward silence. I waited for a minute, wondering if she might bring up her parents, or the area where we had once lived, or something personal regarding the years we’d been apart, but when she remained silent, I sat forward. “So, ah, tell me about the job,” I said. “I understand of course that I’ll be part of your security team, but what do I need to know specifically?”
“Well, it’s not so much a team right now.” She let out a thin laugh. “I have a few people who help me out with things.” She made a face, which gave me the first small indication that she still had at least a tiny sense of humor and made me smile in return. “But none of them are equipped to handle any real trouble.” Her gaze moved down my body, but then as though her eyes had wandered without her permission, they shot back to my face. “I know you’re not trained either, but I think you can do a good job. You’re obviously very fit and, you know…in good shape.” I swore I saw the color in her cheeks deepen very slightly, but I couldn’t be sure. “Anyway, your job will be to have my back, watch the crowd, act as a barrier between me and any out-of-control fans. Two weeks ago, someone rushed me. He just wanted to give me a letter, but it spooked me. My boyfriend has a security team, but their job is to keep their eyes on him. So, when the guy shot forward, they surrounded Charlie, and I was sort of left hanging.”
Her boyfriend. “Got it,” I said. It sounded easy enough. I’d learned to keep my head on a swivel in prison as a matter of self-preservation. I could certainly keep Emily safe from overeager basement dwellers wielding love letters and reeking of desperation.
“You’ll accompany me to any and all social events. If it’s a party or something like that, you’ll only be expected to escort me in and out of the location. But if it’s a public affair, I’ll ask that you guard me inside the venue.”
“Okay.”
“So, your work hours may be unpredictable. I’ll have to ask you to be on call some days.”
“That’s fine.”
“If at some point it becomes clear that I need to expand my team, then I’ll make that happen.”
I nodded.
“Anyway, some of it we’ll have to make up as we go along. I’ve never had a bodyguard before. Any questions for me?”
I ran my palms over my jean-clad thighs. “I guess my only question now is whether you want me to wear anything specific?” Did bodyguards wear uniforms? I wasn’t sure. I’d let her tell me.
She seemed stumped for a moment, looking away as she twirled a piece of ice-blond hair around one daggerlike finger, her lips puckered in a shiny pout. “All black, maybe?” Her eyes moved over me again. “Hold on.” She turned her head. “Destanie?”