She’s an innocent.
I type out my reply.
Contract: Declined
I also send the information to Alexei.
Carson: She looks like an innocent. Check it out.
Alexei: On it.
Stepping out of the elevator, I walk to my door and scan the keycard to enter. After shutting it behind me, I shrug out of the leather jacket and pour myself a drink. While sipping on it, I stare out of the window.
I’m taking off another month just to make sure Hailey is safe. At some point, a contract will come through that I can’t decline. I’ll have to arrange protection for her.
I log onto St. Monarch’s website and go to the selection of custodians they have in training. Checking their profiles, I frown when I see the name MJ Fang. Damn, she started her training the year I completed mine. She’s still there? I check her stats.
She struggled the first two years and then suddenly started gaining momentum. The corner of my mouth tugs up when I see her reaction time – five seconds. She’s close to beating Damien’s record, and he was the best. Hailey will be more comfortable with a woman, as well.
I type out a message to Madame Keller.
Koslov, Carson: MJ Fang - Auction Date?
The reply comes before I swallow the sip I just took.
St. Monarch’s: She’s not up for auction - Name your price
They know there won’t be interest because of how long MJ’s training took.
Koslov, Carson: Price N/N: €500 000.00 – Trial period of 3 months
St. Monarch’s: Will consider the offer
I finish my drink, and after setting the tumbler down, I walk to the bathroom so I can take a shower.
As I pull my shirt over my head, my phone vibrates.
St. Monarch’s: Accept - Payment expected
Hopefully, she’s good. I make the payment then send through my last request.
Koslov, Carson: Meeting - Surprise attack test
MJ Fang will have to find me on her own. If she passes the test, I’ll consider prolonging the contract.
I drop my phone on the bed and walk into the bathroom, I turn on the faucets. After stripping out of the rest of my clothes, I step under the spray, and then my thoughts turn to Hailey.
I haven’t seen her smile the way she used to, and I miss it. I thought the dried flowers might bring out her smile, but they only made her look sad.
Maybe it’s because I’m here?
Maybe I just make her unhappy?
I close my eyes and turn my face up to the water.
It’s been two days since I made the payment for MJ Fang, and there’s no sign of her.
If she doesn’t find me in the next twenty-four hours, there’s no way I’m contracting her to protect Hailey.
Standing across the road from the restaurant Hailey works at, I watch as she gives half a smile to a patron while taking their order.
I feel the air shift, and it makes the corner of my mouth lift.
Finally.
Pushing away from the wall, I walk down the road toward the waterfront. Sailboats come into view, lazily bobbing in the calm water.
I don’t hear MJ move but sense the instant she’s behind me. Swinging around, I throw a punch. She smacks my arm away, and crouching, tries to sweep my legs from under me with a low kick. Without any effort, I avoid being taken down.
MJ darts to her feet, her features tight.
She’s nervous.
Lifting a hand, I show for her to come at me, and she instantly reacts. Her movements are fast and precise as she takes a series of hits at me. I stop them, and with a hard blow to her chest with the palm of my hand, I send her staggering backward.
“Stop,” I order.
MJ straightens and slightly bows her head. I know she comes from a long line of Custodians. Her father was one of the best.
“Not bad,” I mutter.
Her eyes snap to mine, her Asian features round and unassuming. There’s fight in her gaze, though.
“You’ll be a custodian to Hailey Welsh. You’ll befriend her and keep her safe.”
“Who is she?”
“The woman I love.”
MJ’s eyes widen slightly. “I’ll guard her with my life.”
“If anything happens to her, I’ll terminate the contract,” I warn her.
MJ knows it means I’ll kill her.
She nods, and I glance over her dark clothes. “You’ll need to blend in with Hailey’s world. She’s not like us. Wear something… less threatening.”
MJ nods again.
“Come.” I begin to walk back toward the restaurant. “You have a month to learn everything about Hailey. What she likes and hates. The way she moves. Her routine.”
“It’s more than enough time,” MJ answers.
Stopping across the road from the restaurant, my eyes instantly find Hailey where she’s loading two coffees onto her tray.
“Light brown hair. By the counter.”
“I see her.” MJ crosses her arms over her chest, her eyes locked on Hailey.
“Relax your stance,” I mutter. “Hailey’s on guard. She’ll spot you a mile away. I still need to tell her you’ll be guarding her.”