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COLLINS

“I have a new assignment for you,” Graham Hoffman says, passing me the document with the salary highlighted in bold print on the top line of the contract.

It is significantly larger than my previous payouts over the course of the last few years, and even then I felt like I was a bit overpaid. If anything, I’m the one who owes the Hoffmans—for giving me back my life.

“Is there a mistake?” I ask, pointing to the sum. “Perhaps a couple too many zeroes?”

“Call it a bonus. For the loyalty, honor, and respect you have shown our family.”

I lean back in my chair, sneaking a glance over at his brother, Nic, who is hanging out near the floor-to-ceiling windows. His fiancée, Claire, is pregnant, and the man is determined to shadow her every movement just in case she stubs her toe or needs assistance with anything that she is fully capable of doing herself.

Graham isn’t much different. Angie, his recently appointed wife, has shaken up his entire world and softened his hardness in a way I never thought could be achieved. How these Hoffman brothers found the two most independent women in the city of Portland is almost comical for their overprotective tendencies.

The women are best friends, working at Plus None, just a few floors below us in this building. While the two of them—and the danger that inevitably finds them—keep my job secure, I can’t help but wonder why I am being summoned here today. I’m cocky enough to know that my work is stellar. In a way, I’m the invisible enforcer who keeps the empire intact. With a broken moral compass that got fractured after being discharged from the military, I’m a valuable asset when protecting the loves of these Hoffman men’s lives.

What I don’t let others know is that this sense of purpose helps me get through my days. I like having a set goal in mind and a plan to execute the mission. Graham Hoffman basically rescued me from my previous life and has given me more than I could ever ask. He helped me heal when he didn’t even realize I was broken from the foundation up. Thus, when he is raising my salary this much, it makes me feel a bit of unease.

It’s because I need the Hoffmans just as much as they seem to need me.

“You know I’ll do anything that you ask,” I inform the men.

Without a family of my own, my priorities have shifted into protecting these men and their women that have welcomed me into their lives. Graham and Nic are like brothers to me, and while there is a contract and money exchange involved, the roots of allegiance run thick.

Graham looks toward the window, deep in thought, before returning his gaze to me. “You always have, and thus”—he gestures toward the contract—“your monetary compensation should more than cover any inconveniences this next assignment should bring. And there may be many based on recent history.”

I nod, allowing his ominous words to register. I hope both Hoffman brothers know I would do the work for much less than they are offering. Loyalty can’t be bought, and the bond I have with them is something that I need to maintain. So, of course, whatever they want from me, I will do—willingly and without question.

And if it crosses into illegal territory, so be it.

I’m not afraid to serve time in prison, especially if the outcome is worth the temporary loss of freedom.

But something is off about this meeting. It appears that my next assignment won’t be so straightforward or predictable.

“I’m not used to seeing you nervous,” Nic says in a joking tone.

I tip my head in understanding. “Please forgive me for being a bit taken aback by this meeting. What has changed with the current arrangement?”

Nic clears his throat and joins us. “It’s nothing you have done wrong. So don’t think that.” He lets out a sigh, allowing his frustration to show. “Claire is very stubborn, as you know.” Oh, I know .

“It is glaringly obvious that her need for independence is part of her personality, and not just pregnancy hormones—which I recommend never suggesting to her.” Nic shudders, mouthing ouch . “She has insisted that anyone I hire to watch over her or assist her with her doctor’s appointments needs to have a vag, um, needs to be female.”

“Got it…”

He expels his breath, running a hand over the back of his neck. “While I hate pulling you from your assignment, Graham and I have another pressing matter, which is what you were called in today to discuss.”

I am a fixer. An enforcer. I’m the problem solver and solutions expert. I do not cave under pressure, nor do I flinch at the first sign of trouble. I’ve been trained to shoot a gun, and I know exactly when to pull the trigger. My body wears the scars from my past experience of working as a dedicated bodyguard, but the extensive former military discipline is what keeps me grounded and a threat to those who want to double-cross me.

Nothing fazes me.

Nothing challenges me.

Nothing scares me.

“It’s Penny,” Graham states simply.

Fuck .

Except her—dammit.

I sit up in my chair. “What’s wrong? Was there an incident?”

There’s something indescribably enchanting about Penelope Josephine Hoffman. There’s an aura about her that is sweet and kind, yet there’s a fierceness behind her seemingly shy demeanor.

While our interactions have been limited, I’ve had the luxury of watching Penny on brief occasion from the sidelines. Witnessing her come out of the darkness that once consumed her entire life was a sight to see. She is inspiring—and even that word doesn’t encompass just how truly amazing she is. Sure, our paths crossed a few other times when she would visit her brothers on leave from the facility. However, everything was clinical.

This assignment seems personal.

I don’t do personal.

Having attached feelings nearly cost me my entire life, and I refuse to give up what I’ve spent years rebuilding.

With all of my former assignments, I could clearly separate my own emotions from the actual work. But with Penny, there’s something about her that tugs on my heart. And I honestly don’t know what it is, because it is such a foreign feeling—one I don’t think I’ve experienced enough times to identify and define.

Graham sighs and runs a hand through his hair, stress lines forming on his forehead and around his eyes.

Last year, I worked with the Hoffmans to try to find out who drugged and potentially raped Penny. While it was discovered that she was not physically violated to that extent, Penny suffered a mental break and was in a facility in Seattle for several months—some of which was in a catatonic, nonverbal state.

The grief the family has endured has been intense. While Penny is now home in Hillsboro with her parents, there is still a certain amount of transitioning that has to happen for her life to go back to a new normal.

What that normal will look like is the big mystery.

Based on how her brothers look right now, I’m not so sure they are going to welcome it.

I understand all too well how hard that transition can be. When I was forced to exit the military, I slipped into a dark place. Stubborn to my core, I didn’t reach out for help, and I definitely didn’t want to talk about my feelings surrounding the discharge.

Witnessing Penny firsthand as she battled her demons was difficult to endure. It reminded me of my own past and all of the internal obstacles I had to overcome to get me to the place I am today.

I owe my life to Graham Hoffman. Just a couple of years after I hung up my time in service to this country, I met the lucrative mogul who was making huge waves in the business world in Portland. Graham hired me to work security initially, but when the drug ring became an issue, my duties shifted to provide that extra protection. It helped that I had nothing to lose and could commit to the task.

I’m not even sure Penny realizes just how many visits I made to Seattle in the past year to check up on the care she was receiving. I was given small requests to scope out workers at the facility, handle therapy arrangements when needed, and was even tasked to scare off a few losers who were sniffing around her.

However, I’ve never had to officially… handle the unpredictable Hoffman princess, so it surprises me that I’m being called upon to do it now.

By the exorbitant compensation staring at me on the contract, something tells me this job will have some twists. I just hope I can handle them all. Retirement is looking better and better. The past year has not been the easiest by any terms. Good thing for me, I thrive on challenges.

Plus, I’m too young to retire by a couple of decades. I’d grow bored and antsy, just like anyone else dedicated to perfecting their skill set.

“Penny wants to spread her wings and fly,” Nic huffs. “Her words, almost exactly. She claims she doesn’t want her brothers impacting her relationships or interfering with her affairs.” He tosses his hands into the air. “Like we would ever be that intrusive.”

I resist snickering. Nic is the worst offender when it comes to overstepping boundaries with his overprotective tendencies, which is an odd judgment for me to have—considering my line of work. Being head of security for Hoffman Headquarters, I’m not surprised that Nic’s brain automatically goes to the worst-case scenario—especially after almost losing Claire a couple of months ago. My brain does the same thing. You don’t get to be this good at your job if you see the world through rose-colored glasses.

Evil can exist anywhere. It just takes someone who can pull it out of hiding.

“So you want me to do the exact opposite of what Penny is asking for?” I ask for clarification. I’m not shy when it comes to protecting strong-willed women, and I’m almost positive that there isn’t a woman who can be more difficult than Angie or Claire. Those two women have caused me more than one migraine. They are always getting into some kind of trouble, claiming they had no idea that something bad would happen, despite all signs pointing to disaster.

But as a result, my loyalty to this family would lead to me cleaning up their messes.

I mean, it’s not that I don’t like breaking noses in bars and delivering threats to drunk assholes that touch any of the Hoffman brothers’ women.

But it also isn’t my idea of fun—especially when these women have horrible self-preservation skills.

There is no way Penny could be as difficult.

This may be the easiest assignment I’ve been given thus far—at least on paper. That’s assuming I don’t let her manipulate me with her sweet innocence.

Penelope Hoffman is the epitome of the baby in the family. She is as delicate as a freshly transformed butterfly and as rare as a double rainbow.

“Just keep an eye on her,” Graham says smoothly. “She knows that there is no possibility of us not keeping loose tabs on her, especially after we got a call to pick her up from visiting Mark Tanner.”

“Fuck,” I say under my breath. This is news to me.

“Oh, I guess I forgot to mention that.”

Things are starting to make more sense now.

And if Penny were mine, I’d be tightening up security on her as well and forbidding her from ever stepping foot in that prison.

What the hell was she thinking going to a place full of criminals—alone for that matter? She was probably a feast for every bastard’s eyes who was fortunate enough to catch a look. If I have any say about it, I’ll never allow that girl to get that close to her abuser again.

“Fuck is right,” Nic echoes. “Why Penny found the need to go see Tanner for the closure he’ll never give her is beyond my understanding.” He runs his hands over his head, settling them against the back of his neck. “Do you see why we are stressed out? The stunt she pulled was her last burst at freedom, as far as I’m concerned. She better be happy I don’t lock her away until the world is a less damaging place. Because if my Claire ever did something like that…”

I nod. I get it. Men in our positions protect those we love, and there’s no denying the love the Hoffman family has for their youngest.

Graham clears his throat. “Penny is naive and too trusting. Plus, I think she is going to try to move out of our parents’ house?—”

“Which neither of us approve of,” Nic interrupts.

“Already?” It seems like she just got there. Why the rush?

Graham nods for emphasis. “She wants to be ‘independent.’” He adds air quotes around independent .

“She wants to be off on her own, doing who knows what. I honestly half expect her to do a repeat visit on Tanner.”

“Damn…” I’ll never allow it. I feel the tic in my jaw starting, as my heart rate elevates. “Did he threaten her?”

“I can’t see how he didn’t,” Nic says. “I doubt he could resist.”

Graham clears his throat. “Given the state of mind Penny was in while waiting for us to come get her, I’d say she was threatened more than she’s letting on. She was so shaken up and vocalized to us that Tanner was coming for her. She also fears having to testify.”

“Did any of our insiders catch the conversation?” I inquire further.

“Doubtful,” Graham concludes.

“His entire empire was dismantled,” I confirm. And I had a large part in that destruction. “There’s not a credit card trail or even a whisper suggesting he has anyone willing to risk life in prison or death just to lay their loyalty at the altar of Mark fucking Tanner. He has no one.”

“Penny doesn’t trust us to handle this,” Graham says, his tone that of defeat. “She’s terrified, and I hate seeing her like this.”

Nic paces. “That fucker doesn’t need to be in her head anymore. We handled it. He’s not going to get out in this lifetime—with or without going to court.”

“She’s our baby sister, and we just want her to be safe but not smothered,” Graham expresses. “If that makes sense. Protect her, but don’t let on to the extent of which you are providing the protection.”

I nod, absorbing all the information they are sharing with me. I am still reeling inside over the fact she went to the prison unaccompanied. What is wrong with her? What did she really expect to accomplish from something so impulsive?

Penny barely got out of Soulful Mind, just to go and do something reckless in return. If this is how she’s choosing to spend her free time, then she damn well better get a hobby. I’m not going to put up with her desire to run straight into danger with open arms.

“So you don’t want twenty-four-hour surveillance?”

“No,” Graham confirms with a chuckle. “That seems a bit excessive, especially when your other assignment will be some waste management duties.”

He’s referring to my ability to set up “accidents” for anyone that double-crosses them. “Understood.”

“Besides, Penny isn’t as adventurous as my Angie.”

“And she can’t be worse than my Claire,” Nic interjects.

My lips form a line, as I think about the potential requirements. If I’m going to do my job well, I better understand the full scope of services needed. “Credit card statements retrieved?”

“Nah,” Graham says, pushing hair off his forehead, “at least not at this moment. But if she starts dating…”

“I know exactly where to hide the body,” I deadpan.

Graham and Nic stare at me, studying my facial expression. But when the one corner of my lips lifts slightly, we all burst out into laughter.

“Precisely,” Graham jokes.

“Penny knows if she ever needs money, she can come to us,” Nic comments. “Just do as you see fit. We trust you to make the right decisions. No need to run everything past us. You know how we operate. Plus, we trust you—fully.”

I nod, trying to mentally develop a plan of action in my head. Penny’s brothers must have some suspicion that her reckless streak isn’t over with the prison visit, if they are officially hiring me.

“Use your discretion. Just make sure she’s safe. Run background checks if necessary on anyone she becomes friends with. Fend off the assholes that want to just mess with her for a one-night thrill. Use your best instincts on how to manage her without her knowing she is being managed.” A smirk plays on Graham’s lips as he crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t see her causing nearly as much stress to you as Angie and Claire have.”

I turn to Nic. “What about the trackers?”

He shrugs. “I’m never against them. After the nightmare we endured a couple of months ago at the hands of that madman, I’m done taking any chances with my loved ones.”

“Understood, sir.”

Between Angie almost losing her life from the kingpins of a drug ring and Claire getting trapped inside this building by an ex-security worker seeking revenge, I completely understand the precautions they are taking with Penny, albeit on the milder scale.

I think they want her safe but not smothered. I can do that.

“We trust you, Collins,” Graham says, echoing the similar sentiment his younger brother offered as well. Standing up from his leather chair, he walks over to me. I stand to meet him, accepting his outstretched hand in a gesture of respect that basically turns into a half hug.

“I appreciate your confidence in me.”

“You’ve proven yourself every step of the way thus far.”

“And I’ll continue to maintain that level of professionalism and respect,” I vow.

There’s a code I live by, and veering from it is just not something I do. I value discipline and predictability.

I grab the pen off the desk and sign my name on the line, making everything official. It is a technicality, really. I don’t need some paper promises of money to continue working for the Hoffmans. Both men have given me back my purpose in life. They are each doing me a favor by continuing to provide me with assignments, even if this one feels a bit watered down.

“Off topic,” Nic interjects with a lopsided smile. “But our mom insists on you coming to Hillsboro to celebrate Penny’s birthday. I worry what she’ll do to us”—he laughs along with Graham—“if you don’t show up.”

“You know that woman basically thinks we overwork you without fair compensation and competitive benefits,” Graham adds.

“Yeah,” Nic says with a chuckle. “She basically has hinted that you should form a one-man union and revolt against us. Sheesh, Mom can be fiery.”

I smile. Donna surely is one of a kind. “What day is the celebration?” I know when the official birthday is, but figure I should get clarification in case the party is on a different day.

“Tomorrow.”

I can’t remember the last time I attended a birthday party. Not knowing what to expect is my biggest struggle socially. I hate unknowns. Recreational parties have never been my scene. “I, uh?—”

“Consider it a prelude,” Graham says with a chuckle.

“A prelude?”

Nic laughs. “You keep Donna happy, because we all know how pushy our mom can get. And getting to see the new Penny will be a field experience bonus.”

I shift my weight on my heels. “New?”

“Oh, she decided to do a few changes on her appearance. You’ll know when you see her in person,” Nic says with a smirk. “The party starts at four tomorrow. Dinner, cake, you know the drill. Everything is casual and small.”

“Donna-style,” Graham chimes in.

So not small at all. “Sounds good. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

“Come hungry,” Nic insists, “or bring a moving van for all the leftovers our mom will pack up for you. She’s also convinced we don’t give you a lunch break—ever.”

I can’t hide my smile. That woman can’t help mothering each one of us from a distance. It’s engrained into her.

And there’s no part of me that doesn’t welcome her affection.

When I exit Graham’s office, I take the elevator down to the Plus None floor. Old habits never die. Nearly every time I’m here, whether I’m on or off duty, I check in on the girls—even if they are unaware of me doing so. Claire and Angie are family to me. I would lay down my life to protect either one of them.

Seeing that nothing is out of the norm, I opt for the stairs the rest of the way down to the lobby.

Since Nic’s been appointed head of security here, the building has undertaken a revamp on all of the cameras, access points, and daily operation protocols. Graham spared no expense with turning his building—which encompasses the management of his jewelry company—into a fortress.

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, I breathe in the warm mid-July air. Living in Portland, I find the summer weather enjoyable. I pull out my shades from my suit pocket, placing them over my eyes. It sure feels good to be back on an assignment after taking a couple of weeks off to relax my brain. Granted, Graham forced those days on me.

He was right, though. I feel energized and ready to go.

I unlock my Tesla, slipping into the driver’s seat. I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a guilty-pleasure purchase. I can’t take all my money to the grave with me, so I might as well splurge once in a while.

My lifestyle has adjusted to the perks of working for Graham Hoffman. Sure, both brothers assign me work, but it is Graham who usually takes the lead on most matters. He values hard work and loyalty. My bank account is proof that staying on his good side has profound financial benefits.

I only have to go a few blocks to get home. I park in the garage, directly in my assigned spot. Exiting the car, I lock the doors with the key fob and enter into the waiting elevator. I hit the button for the eleventh floor.

With a short walk down the hallway, I am at my unit. I tap in the code to unlock the door and enter my foyer. Sitting on the storage bench, I untie my dress shoes and place them perfectly on the shelf underneath.

Everything has its place, and when everything is in its place, I feel calm.

During my vacation, I hired a designer and several contractors to gut my condo unit and update all of the features. My place was livable before, but now it has all of the modern luxuries it was lacking during the original build.

Now I have a built-in sound system, new tiled floors, and a complete switch to all stainless steel appliances. I upgraded the master bedroom and even had some fun features added—like special lighting and a four-poster bed. Not that I ever bring women back to my sanctuary. I much prefer hotel rooms for anything casual but intimate. There’s fewer strings to cut later if things get emotionally messy.

I don’t do drama, and I definitely don’t like messy.

Regardless, at least when I do come home, it’s a place I want to be.

Without having a full schedule for my assignment of watching over Penny, I may be able to carve out time to catch up on some of my hobbies. Focusing on myself these days has been a rarity. But maybe hitting up a social scene or two will bring me some sexual satisfaction that I’ve been missing. There’s really no other way than to chisel out time for that desired release.

I make my way into the master bedroom, undoing my belt and fly as I walk into the newly renovated closet. Deciding that I needed more space for all of my suits—which are perfectly organized based on color—I opted for the walk-in version.

I remove all of my clothes, fold them, and place them neatly into the hamper meant for dry cleaning. Once a week, Hilda swings by to tidy up the place, bring me groceries, prep meals, and handle all of my laundry needs. It took me a while to trust someone inside my residence while I’m not here. The hidden security cameras scattered about the place help build my confidence though.

Part of me wishes I had more of a conscience. But in my line of work, being soft gets you taken advantage of—or killed. You either eat or be eaten. While I don’t have many personal items to protect, I still value the luxury of knowing that what I do have is not going to be stolen away from me.

I’m sure to others, I appear to be quiet and rigid—a man set in his ways. But you don’t become one of the top sought after bodyguards for one of the richest men on the West Coast by being sloppy.

I am all about those details.

Slipping on a pair of workout pants, I forgo my shirt and head to my home gym. The good thing about being introverted is that I waste less time by avoiding all of the pitfalls of social media or going out to bars. It’s just not my scene. I’m methodical with my choices of where and how I decide to spend my free time.

I start on the pull-up bar and keep my reps around fifteen for three sets. Today is arms day. With the metal music playing through the sound system, it’s easy to lose myself in this room.

Thirty minutes is all it takes to be drenched in sweat and ready to hit up the shower. As the water pelts down around me, I think about my new assignment—one I didn’t see coming.

I am also shocked about being invited to Penny’s birthday. I can’t even remember the last time I bought anyone a gift—let alone for someone of the opposite sex.

What would someone sweet like Penny like? If I’m going to try not to stand out, I better figure it out—and fast.