Page 201 of Charming Like Us

Even if Gabe is an idiot, it’s my fault for not training him properly. But really, it’s hard to put my brain in the brain of someone leagues below my intelligence. I obviously didn’t factor in how he’d interpret some of my instructions.

“Both need to go to the hospital,” Dr. Keene says. “Charlie for X-rays, and Jack for a CT scan.” We start helping them up off the grass. I support Jack with an arm around the waist, and he hangs his bicep over my shoulder.

Thatcher keeps Charlie upright.

And then everyone’s attention suddenly veers to a girlsprintinglike her life depends on it…out of the funhouse.

“Sulli!” Jane screams and waves both her hands. Sulli redirects her target zone to our group, and as soon as she lands here, she grabs onto Jane’s arm.

Where are her bodyguards?

I go still, on edge…should I be alarmed or do I need to go buy some kettle corn?

“Let’s fucking get out of here. Right fucking now,” Sulli says under her breath, her green eyes pinging to the camera phones. To the eager public eating this shit up. Can’t fault them too hard.

I’m standing here thinking,give me the tea. What’s the drama?

But also,protect these ones.

Thatcher and I motion for the temps to keep hold as the zealous audience tries to push closer.

“Why?” Jane’s blue eyes grow wider. Their voices are hushed.

Sulli turns bright red. “I opened my big fucking mouth. That’s why. I told Kits and Banks they’re really fucking hot and they make me feel safe and comfortable, and that if I never have another boyfriend in my entire life, then it’d be cool to lose my virginity to one of them.” She nods vigorously. “Yep, and I thought they’d take it like pals, you know like buddies. But they were fucking silent!” She waves a hand around. “So I ran, but then I ended up in the mirrors and I got lost and they were looking for me…and oh my fuck.” Her gaze beelines to the funhouse exit where Akara and Banks are jogging out.

Oh yeah, this is a five-bucket kettle corn moment. I’d be grinning at the drama right now if people weren’t hurt tonight.

“We’re going,” Jane tells her. “Right now. Let’s go. Charlie?”

“I’ll leave with Jack and Oscar. You go ahead.”

“Are you positive?” she worries.

“Yes,” Charlie says, standing on his own.

She hugs her brother. “We’ll meet you at the hospital.” She turns. “Thatcher?”

“Right in front of you, honey,” Thatcher says, leading Jane and Sulli towards the parking lot.

I use comms and direct more temps onto them, and then Akara and Banks slow their jog as they reach us. My boss sees my client’s injuries. “What happened?”

Comms chatter ignites. “Price to Akara, I’ve got word that Charlie’s been robbed. Can you confirm?”

Akara glares, making me feel two-inches tall.

“He wasn’t on my detail,” Charlie defends me. “It was my fault. No one else’s.”

That’s not how security works, but I appreciate Charlie trying to keep my ass off a hot seat.

I nod to Akara with confirmation.Yes, my client was robbed.

He clicks his mic and relays that back. SFO is never going to live this down.

Kitsuwon Securities 1 – Triple Shield 2.

The only reason we’re really losing is because of me, and I feel like a bigger jackass. Bruising the reputation of SFO hurts all of our massive egos, but it’ll hurt Akara the most. His name is on it. “Kitsuwon, I’m sorry,” I tell him.

He shakes his head. “It’s okay,” he says, genuine. “It’s been…a long night.”