Page 4 of Perfect Order

The tattooed man in front of me visibly swallows. “You said I’m vulnerable. What do you mean, anywhere?”

I tick off some examples. “From a side street, in your favorite coffee shop, on the elevator coming here. Anywhere you go, you have to presume there’s a bogey lurking. You’re a very high-value target, Mr. Miller.”

“You have no idea how high,” Caleb murmurs laconically, but I don’t glance in his direction. I know what my purpose is here today, and it’s to convince this too-stubborn man to accept he needs protection.

“What does this entail?” Beckett asks.

Before Caleb can answer, I jump in. “At least three individuals in a diamond formation for day to day every time you leave your residence. That means three teams for round-the-clock coverage. Hudson would be able to supplement with additional personnel for premieres or other large events so long as we know about them in advance.”

He nods before taking my place at the window. “All I wanted was the music. I never expected any of this.”

“Those who are blessed with success never do,” I inform him firmly but succinctly.

“Blessed. That’s one word for it.” Beckett turns away from the Manhattan skyline and directs his words to Caleb. “Done.”

“Excellent. Kane, if you don’t mind giving us a few minutes to work out some final matters?”

“Not at all.” I hold out my hand. “Sir. I’ll apologize for the tactics but not the outcome.”

“Maybe you’re more like the Winter Soldier than Cap,” Beckett muses.

Ignoring his dig, I finish my apology. After all, it won’t help the company if I managed to piss off who I presume will be a lucrative client. “I assessed the situation, and Caleb’s words didn’t appear to be penetrating. I thought a demonstration would…”

“Wake me up? It sure as hell did.” Beckett takes my outstretched hand. “Thank you.”

“It’s been a pleasure.” I turn to leave when I hear him call out, “Your name is Kane?”

I whirl back to face him. “Yes, sir. Kane McCullough.” I barely refrain from giving him my last rank and serial number. That’s when I begin to feel the room spin because Beckett Miller says to Caleb, “Either he heads my team, or I’m not signing anything.”

Caleb arches his brows so high they disappear beneath his hairline. “Kane? Are you certain about that?”

Beckett gives me a full inspection that would have done my drill sergeant proud. I remain unmoving when he declares, “Yeah. I’m sure. If I have to have a bodyguard, I want the guy who will be the last one standing. Is that you, Kane?”

His words leave a burning streak across my heart, but he can’t know that. Instead, I reply, “Yes, sir.”

Caleb slaps his hands on the desk. “Then there’s nothing left but the paperwork. Kane, you’re officially on duty.”

Despite the unknown knocks I’ve taken since I was discharged from the Marines, those words spark a glow inside me that never should have been extinguished. I face Beckett head-on. “I won’t let you down, Mr. Miller.”

That’s when Beckett grumbles, “I sure as fuck hope not. Hey, do you think you can teach me that crazy head-hold thing?”

A booming laugh erupts from Caleb as I easily deny my new protectee. “No.”

“It could come in handy,” Beckett says petulantly.

“And terrify those of us who are going to be guarding you. It takes years of practice to be able to attack with that kind of control,” I counter.

Then my balls draw up slightly when Beckett reminds me in asottovoice, “We’re going to have years together, Kane.”

God help me, what did I just agree to? Beckett Miller’s sadistic grin swims before me as I make my way to sit back in front of Caleb’s desk.

That’s right—a second chance at life after the other one was shot to hell by my own gun.

TWENTY-TWO MONTHS FROM PRESENT DAY

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.After twelve years on the market, local residents will be pleased to know the old Spa City Saddlery has been sold. There’s no new information on what the new owners plan on doing with the property, however, there has been no request to transition it to a commercial property.

“Leanne, why don’t you get space in the city? Then we could live together again.”