Page 15 of The Devil’s Detail (The Greystone Family: Greystone Brothers #2)

Jackson

I dump an exhausted Carter back into his hotel room.

I’m running on adrenaline, my high hitting me in waves.

Ash is with me, and I’m pacing backwards and forwards, working a track into the thick plush carpets as we wait for Carter’s security to catch up with us.

The fact that I was able to pick the Hollywood A-lister up and carry him off like a sack of potatoes is not sitting well with me. Someone needs to pay for this debacle.

I stop my pacing to look over Carter, who’s already changed into casual joggers and a T-shirt. “Do you need to get someone to look you over? Are you injured in any way?”

He shakes his head. “I’m fine, sugar. A few bruises, and someone cut my hair.” He pulls at a piece of hair just above his ear, revealing a very neat line of shorter hair.

Ash is shaking his head. “Fuck. It’s a good job they used scissors for that and nothing else,” Ash states seriously.

Carter goes from grinning to morose as Ash’s words sink in. “Jesus, I never… Oh, Jackson, thank God you turned up.”

This statement coincides with his whole security team rushing through the door.

They hesitate, and then charge forward, their lead guy going straight for Carter’s jugular.

“What the fuck was that? We never agreed to you interacting with all those fans. You shouldn’t have been inciting autographs and fucking selfies.

You were told to do the re-takes and get out of there. ”

My eyebrows hit my hairline as Ash and I trade a look. Talk about passing the buck.

“Oh, honey. It’s not my issue, I'm the most popular actor in the world. You should have known, you’ve been with me long enough.

Plus, I don’t control the fans. If you agree to put me in fuckin’ Horse Guards on a Friday afternoon, what do you expect?

Everyone is going to ignore me? Crowd control is literally your job.

” Carter has regrouped and is now wearing his own tracks in the carpet.

“And how did that dickwad Gary know where I was? Huh? Anyone?” He’s glaring at the team who are all looking around at each other.

They obviously did not expect him to fight back.

“Coincidence,” the lead guy tries to explain. “He was doing a stop and search fashion segment in the same location. He had a film crew and permits. We checked in with him, and he wasn’t bothering you?—”

“You’re fired,” Carter states, and I have never seen him look so imposing.

“You think you can fire us, because he’s here?” He points at me, his voice dripping with disrespect, lip curling in disdain. His anger is written all over his blotchy face. “And why are they here at all?” He then points to Ash. “You’re not welcome here. Get out. This is a private meeting.”

Is that all he’s got in the way of commanding? I almost laugh, but both Ash and I make no attempt to move.

“If Jackson hadn’t reacted and removed me from that situation, I could have been killed.

” Carter’s voice is rising by the syllable.

I can hear the fury beneath it. “Someone cut my hair, and who knows what they used to do it.” Carter pulls his hair out and turns in a circle so everyone can get a good look.

The security guy huffs a laugh. “It’s a lock of hair they’ve cut, hardly life or death.”

My hackles rise. How the fuck are this lot still in business? I’m fuming inside, but my face remains neutral as I continue to stare at him.

“What if they couldn’t get the hair and decide to have a go at me instead?

” They all go silent as Carter uses Ash’s words from earlier.

“You’re fired for not being able to keep me safe.

You want evidence, check social media. I couldn’t breathe, I could hardly stand.

I was pushed, shoved, I’ve got bruises to prove it.

Get your shit out of my hotel room, and take your team with you. ”

“You’ll regret this, Carter. I’ll sue for unwarranted breach of contract. And do you really think that celebrity prick will keep you safe?” He points at me with disdain.

I blow him a kiss. Ash laughs.

“Sugar, you didn’t fulfill your side of our contract. It was unsafe, and you were like headless chickens. I’ve seen more organisation at a free range turkey farm. You’re fired, and I’ll be happy to see you in court. With all my evidence. Check your socials, sugar. You’re famous.”

He makes a move towards Carter, and I step closer to him, using my sheer presence as a deterrent.

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” My voice is controlled, almost conversational.

But I know the menace is cutting through.

His face belies the fear under the bravado.

“Clear out, and I’ll be sure to send on anything you miss.

This job has clearly gotten too big for you.

Nothing to be ashamed of. But it was dangerous there today, and you know it. ”

He glares at me. “You know fuck all about it,” he spits at me.

“Actually, I do. We’ve been watching Carter for weeks.” Carter’s eyebrows go up at that news. “A few minutes more, and Carter would have been bollock-naked on Horse Guards. Someone had already ripped his belt off his trousers. They were hanging on by a thread.”

He scowls at that, but I don’t give him a chance to layer on more excuses for their incompetence.

“And as for Gary, he’s been tipped off via your social media activities.

Somewhere along the line, you got the idea you’re the stars of the show.

Posting Carter’s whereabouts to garner followers.

” I deliberately sweep my eyes around the whole team.

“Gary should be nowhere near Carter, but you failed to act. You thought it was a joke. You never removed him.” I’m towering over them all, my personality battering them into submission.

I am in charge here. Not them. And they know it.

“There’s no legal right to,” their not-so-big man in charge claims. “And we can’t manhandle another celebrity.”

Carter scoffs at that. “Fuckin’ celebrity.

He was hanging onto my coattails. I couldn't shake him off. And your inaction helped him.” Carter stands to his full height and flings a scarf around his neck as if it’s confetti.

“If Jackson hadn’t rescued me”—his hands go to his heart in a ridiculous move—“I could have been killed.” And while it’s the height of drama, the security guy seals his own doom when he laughs.

Because I am about to lose my shit.

“You find it funny that a crowd got so out of control that he could have been pushed to the floor and trampled underfoot. You find it funny that any number of those people could have tripped and fell to the floor, and again not able to get up. Injuries, lawsuits. Are you going to pay them? Or are you not bothered because you can blame Carter for being too popular. As long as Carter picks up the tab, you’re not bothered about anything. Well, the gravy train stops today.

“Carter?” I turn towards him, understanding if he doesn’t back me up now, I’ll go and never come back. My intense stare tells him as much. He’s looking at me like I just hung the moon and stars for him. But I need him to focus on the task at hand. “Are they all going or what?”

“Yes. All out. Fired,” he states in a manner that could also be heard as ‘off with their heads.’ Jesus, he really is a drama queen.

“You’ve got your answer. Now leave.” I stop the lead guy near the door. “But I will expect a full debrief, all your paperwork, and scheduling for Carter’s upcoming movements.”

“You expect me to help you out?” He’s incredulous, and it’s the most unprofessional thing I have ever seen.

“I expect you to do your damn job for once. We’re doing a security handover.

Don’t push me into making you do it. You’ve already been paid up to the end of the month.

” His eyebrows shoot up, likely surprised at how I know he was billing upfront.

“So, technically, you’re still employed by Carter.

Consider it paid leave. And unless you want to send the money back, I’ll have those schedules please. ”

I’m glared at, but they all leave. Not that I give a fuck, they can’t intimidate me. But I’m not sure if we’ve seen the end of them.

Carter flounces to the sofa, his hand on his forehead, full damsel in distress mode. I look at Ash, who grins. This is going to be hard work.