Top Dog

Four months ago, I had been surrounded by that God-forsaken country in Iraq. Then, it had taken one well-placed bomb to end Tony’s life within a matter of seconds. He had only been one step ahead of me. I still couldn’t shake those images of his body flying through the air in a spray of sand, blood, and debris.

“Harley.”

I looked up sharply at the sound of Logan’s voice. “What?”

“You’ve been going to get help, right?” he asked, cautiously. “You’ve been home for almost four months, and this is the first time I’ve seen you since Tony’s funeral.”

“Yah. It was one of the requirements my Mom set up when I came back,” I said, nodding. “I agreed to get help as long as she let me help pay the bills around the house along with treatment.”

“Then, promise me you’ll consider this job. I know your Mom could use the extra help while she’s in remission. She’s been in our prayers during her treatment,” Logan said.

“Thank you, that means a lot.”

“Remember Robert Carter?”

I frowned at the familiar name. “That’s one of the federal prosecutors who put terrorists behind bars, right?”

“Correct. He wants to hire a bodyguard for his daughter who recently graduated law school and is going on a trip to Spain.”

“How old is the daughter?”

“I believe she is—” Logan picked up the file in front of him to flip through the papers quickly. “—twenty-two. She graduated from Harvard a few weeks ago. Obviously a smart girl, so she can’t be that much trouble. You know Robert doesn’t put up with anything. I can’t imagine how strict the guy was on her – not to mention how much balls he must have busted all these years. In my opinion, this is easy money man.”

I rubbed at the back of my neck and sighed.

The last thing I wanted to do was leave my Mom while she received treatment for Stage II breast cancer, but our bills had to be paid. I had been discharged with honor, and a hefty sum to start early retirement, but my Mom struggled enough as it was financially. Growing up, we had no money, but she always made ends meet for us – and now it was my turn to step up.

The doctor I had arranged her to see was expensive. Damn expensive. Though, she was worth every fucking penny I could scrounge up - and then some. I’ve never imagined taking up a job like this, but maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea if it meant helping out with my Mom’s situation. I could swallow my pride and get through it.

The appeal to babysit a rich prosecutor’s daughter was not high on my list of things to do now that I had the time to do whatever I wanted. I had respect for Robert Carter though. While Logan and I took the bad guys out on combat through deadly force, Robert Carter put them behind bars for the rest of their lives as a form of punishment.

“How much is the mission here?” I asked.

“$500,000,” Logan said and laughed when I nearly choked on air. “That ain’t nothing compared to what some celebrities pay. That’s just your cut too. I’m not including mine.”

“Shit,” I exclaimed. “You could’ve started with that number.”

Logan grinned at me. “Good to know. Figured you might like this job since we’ve dealt with Mr. Carter previously from handing his reports for court. He’s a hard hitter, but you knew that, man.”

I nodded. Hard hitter was putting it nicely.

“My Mom’s receiving treatment this summer,” I said. “I have a feeling he wants a bodyguard for this summer.”

“Just for one month. All the travel expenses will be paid for as well along with the hotels.?

??

“I’ll make my suggestions about Madrid,” I said, shaking my head. “There is some corrupt bullshit going on over there within that country. I don’t trust any personal guards there.”

“I take it that means you’re accepting the job then?”

“As long as I know you and Jade can help my Mom,” I said, pointing a finger at him. “I’m helping you, so you help me here.”

“Always,” Logan said, nodding. “Brothers are always first. No matter what. Here’s all the information.” He handed over all the papers. “I don’t know the exact dates besides that it’ll be in a week or so. Just sign and leave the contract here. I’ll call Mr. Carter to let him know you’re coming into Manhattan to speak with him this afternoon.”

I sat back in my chair. A headache pounded in my temples while I flicked through the papers quickly. Libby Armstrong. I glanced down at her photo attached to a piece of paper.

There was the best friend I’d be protecting too— the tall and leggy blonde with a sultry smile. I snorted. Abigail Carter. A timid woman with shoulder length brown hair and large frame glasses looked up at me from the photograph. She was small too. 5’3. 125 lbs. She could easily be abducted without a fight. It didn’t help her case either that she looked like a sexy book nerd with those glasses and innocent expression.