Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129027 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
“Oh,” she says, withdrawing as soon as possible and looking at me distastefully. “Well. We’ll find somewhere to put you tonight.”
“Horror movie rules,” I say, tossing an arm around Kira’s shoulder. “I go where she goes. She’s never outta my sight, not even for a moment. That’s the job.” I grin wide at Carol. “Safety first. I’m sure you understand, what with the latest escalation.”
Carol just shakes her head. “Latest what?”
“Why don’t we head on inside so Kira can get started with the make-up artist, and I’ll tell you all about it, Mrs. Roberts,” I say, putting a hand to the small of her back.
Kira flashes relieved eyes at me, and that’s it; I’m determined to not only rescue her from potential stalker activity tonight but also from her mother, who is obviously more than just some benign threat—if not to her physical person, then to her mentally.
I decide here and now that when I take a client, I take them on as a whole.
THIRTEEN
KIRA
The thing about my mother is whenever we’re around other people, it’s like a switch is flipped.
She has to put on that shiny outer version of herself. Even if the other person is someone she’d describe as the help.
So Isaak being there and distracting her with his long, inane explanations of what’s been going on and where he’s at with his so-called “investigation,” keeps her out of my hair while the make-up artist begins layering my face with goo.
“Oh, my word!” I hear Carol exclaim from the couch behind us as Isaak recounts the night he was hired and we found the bloody animal on my bed.
“Why didn’t you call, Kira darling? I would’ve taken you in in a second. You know I’ve got the room here, and I haven’t changed a thing in your old bedroom. Why are you staying at some hotel like a hooligan when you could be here where it’s safe?”
“I assure you, Mrs. Roberts, I’m keeping your daughter safe. You have my word.”
There’s a silence, and with my eyes closed, I can’t see what Carol might be concocting next. I knew this would be coming, though, from either her or Drew as soon as they found out what was really going on. Frankly, I expected it days ago, as soon as I ditched her guard.
“And what exactly are your credentials, Mr…?”
“Luther. Isaak Luther. I went through the training to get my personal protection officer license from the Texas Department of Public Safety, of course. But my real credentials were earned the good old-fashioned way. I fought for our great country, Mrs. Roberts, in the conflict in Afghanistan. Do you and your husband support the troops?”
I struggle to keep a straight face while the make-up artist continues her work. Damn. Isaak not only listens, he’s smart on his feet, too. I feel ashamed for assuming things about his intelligence level because he was a soldier and didn’t go to college. I’ve been a real bitch.
“Oh well, of course,” my mother says, her Southern accent suddenly getting a little thicker. “And thank you for your service. But I-I-I just struggle to see how that kind of… practical experience translates into personal protection work.”
“Oh?” Isaak says, voice as silky as honey. “I’d have thought it was obvious. I’m good with weapons, calm in tense situations. I’m disciplined, and I know how to be on alert for enemies.”
Which is why he sees you for the snake in the grass you are, Mama, even though you snow everyone else who meets you.
“Well, I’m sure my husband would be pleased as punch to meet a young man who served. He wasn’t able to himself, you understand. He’s got a bit of a club foot, but he is a true soldier in Christ who puts on the armor of God every day, I assure you that. And there is no one he respects more than our brave young soldiers who protect this great nation.”
“I look forward to meeting him.”
“Well, if you’ll excuse me,” Carol says. “I’ve got to go see to my girl. It’s her big night and all.”
I keep my eyes closed and brace for impact as she approaches.
“What a nice young man,” she says, loud enough so Isaak will overhear. But then she scoots in close to me, ignoring the make-up artist working on my eyeliner.
“The bodyguard I hired for you was the top of the line,” she hisses in my ear, barely an audible whisper. “And you went and hired some unpedigreed gorilla off the street behind my back? Are you really that pathetic and selfish? Just think of how worried your father and I have been. Not to mention Drew!”
All my muscles go tense. Here it is. I should have known there was no avoiding the Carol Special: scolding, demeaning, and blaming.
“I texted Drew,” I say. “He knew I was fine.”