Now Maximoff will have temps.
But with my dad training temps like they’re SEAL recruits, the fresh blood is looking more qualified, and Akara plans to hire more bodyguards to the 24/7 roster.
One day Security Force Omega will grow to more than just seven men, but the recruits have to get through my dad first. And I grew up with him. He’s not easy.
Not in the least.
He wants constant communication with Akara, and I can see it wearing my friend down.
I did reach out to my dad.
Through text.
I said, hope all is going well.
He replied, it is. We should grab lunch next time you’re free. Let me know when’s good for you.
I sent, K.
Haven’t solidified any plans to meet-up for tea and crumpets and a side dish of painful family history, and I’m not sure I’m ever going to.
After Akara and I walk a couple laps around the pool, we scope out the unisex locker room. Garrett and Ray are back here chatting, and when they spot us, their conversation dies immediately.
“Wait,” Garrett says. “I thought you guys aren’t swimmers.”
“We’re not,” Akara states.
I find Sulli’s new locker, and Akara hands me the key.
“Hold on,” Ray says. “Why are you opening the assistant coach’s locker?”
Ladies and Gents, this is the fun part. I smile as I look to him. “We’re Sullivan Meadows’ bodyguards.” Dick.
Ray pales.
Garrett says, “Shit.”
I click open the locker. An avalanche of stuffed animals tumbles out. I go rigid, muscles tensing. You’ve got to be shitting me. I pick up the Sasquatch plushie. A small plastic gold medal tied around its neck. Anger brews in my chest.
Before I became a floater, I used to protect the kid who’s constantly revered for his beauty. Xander Hale never had a bunch of shitbags stuff Sasquatch plushies in his locker.
Worse, even, they’re fucking with my girlfriend.
“Who did this?” Akara nails a glare on them.
Garrett smears a hand down his mortified face. “Uh, you know…the whole team? It’s a welcome to Warwick kind of thing.”
I narrow my gaze. “Is that the new definition of hazing these days?” I crouch down and scoop up as many plushies in my arms as I can.
Naughty list for life, the whole damn team. They’re lucky I’m a bodyguard and can’t incite a fight, or else they’d be on the fucking ground.
“They have gold medals around their necks,” Ray says. “We’re honoring her. She’s a legend, man.”
“We’ll let her know,” Akara says with a lethal bite. “But let’s be clear here, don’t fuck with her locker. You can pass that along to the team.” His threat comes in clear, and I’m making an exception for the “no swearing” bet he lost.
He can curse when protecting Sulli.
Nothing says, back off or eat pavement like back the fuck off.
I trash the plushies in the nearest garbage can.
Akara relocks her locker just as Garrett and Ray vacate the room quickly, probably scared shitless they’ll get in more trouble. Sulli’s not a teammate.
She’s their coach.
I dump the last Sasquatch. “Are we telling her about this? I’m asking from boyfriend to boyfriend. Because I want to.” She should know and be prepared. Relying on us is fine (I’ll always have her six), but Sulli wants to rely more on herself these days. It means being more aware of threats around her, more than her dad ever let her see, more than Akara did too in the past.
“From boyfriend to boyfriend, I think we should.” He steps away from the locker. “They didn’t seem malicious, but she can go into the job with a firmer hand if she knows they’re not respecting her position.”
I bob my head, agreeing.
Comms sound off. “Been surfing through fandom sites,” Donnelly says with a thick South Philly lilt, “and I saw something important online.”
Akara clicks his mic. “Text it to the group chat.”
My phone buzzes.
“Done.”
Check this link. Flag as high-risk? – Donnelly
What do I know about Paul Donnelly?
I know he’s from the same town as me, and even my broke as hell family wouldn’t associate with people like the Donnellys, gun to our heads.
But Akara and Thatcher told me what I’ve found to be true. Donnelly has the one trait you can’t teach or pray for or force inside a bodyguard.
That knockout, hand-to-heart empathy.
He cares about these famous families like their hurt is his hurt. And he’d throw himself into oncoming traffic for every single one.
Donnelly wanting to flag a site means that the site is something with potential to harm.
Akara and I both open the link.
THE ROYAL LEAKS
We reveal all the truths about the American Royals. These are verified and come directly from the source.
ROYAL LEAK #1: Maximoff Hale is taking back his position as CEO of H.M.C. Philanthropies.
ROYAL LEAK #2: Jane Cobalt hired a new cat sitter.
ROYAL LEAK #3: Sullivan Meadows is on birth control.
#TodaysLeaks #omg #birthcontrol
I stare at those three leaks. All I know, for certain, is that number three is true. Don’t know how the fuck this ended up on some random website.