It's Complicated: A Reservations Story

“He’s smart and well trained.”

Beckett whistled again and patted the side of his leg, not giving any explanation as to Woofer’s training.

The darkness of the night sky let Julian know he’d put in another exceptionally long day. He balanced a to-go container in one hand and stuck a finger into the knot of his silk necktie, loosening its tight grip. His brain rattled in overload as the mounds of information he’d digested today ran like a loop inside his head.

The one thing he learned with all certainty, his tenure with Reservations had been a major pain in the ass for the old general manager. Julian’s constant need to challenge the rules had created more work for the old GM than was necessary. He should have been fired and might carry some guilt if his desire for change wasn’t the exact reason he’d been promoted in the first place.

An exhausted jaw-cracking yawn that he didn’t fight against tore free as he walked the length of the crowded parking lot. Julian didn’t know if Beckett had told the personal security guard that he knew about him. Still, every time Julian checked the cameras, he saw the sedan. The man had to be working around the clock to look after him—which Julian really did appreciate. So much so that he’d taken a minute to grill a fresh burger for the guy before he’d left tonight.

As Julian drew closer, he must have caught the guard’s eye. Because he immediately ducked his head away, causing Julian to chuckle. Apparently, Beckett hadn’t told the guy. Julian happily walked straight up to the car as the guy looked every which way, even turning his head toward the passenger side to avoid Julian who used his knuckles to rap on the driver’s side window.

After a good long pregnant pause, the guy’s shoulders slumped as he rolled down the window and looked up at Julian. “Can I help you?”

“Here,” Julian said, shoving the to-go container through the window. “If you’re going to sit here all day, the least I can do is feed you.”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” The deep masculine voice had Julian grinning. He almost sounded convincing.

“Yeah, you do. For the next three days, I have this same schedule. I’ll commit to waiting for you before I drive home if you’ll stop sitting out here all day.” The guard opened his mouth, but no words came as his brow lowered and he took the to-go container. “The burger’s medium well and the baked potato is loaded. What do you say to my suggestion?”

“How did you figure it out?” he said, putting the to-go container in the passenger seat.

How did he tell this guy that he had a big red target on his back? Of course, anyone with eyes could see what was going on. “I saw you yesterday morning. I keep one eye open these days. So what do you say?”

“I need to talk to Beck. He’s paying, but I don’t mind doing it that way,” the guy said, reaching for his phone. “I have someone helping me. They’re at your apartment now.”

All right, he’d give the guard a point. He had only spotted one tail. Julian pulled his business card free and jotted his cell phone number on the back. “I appreciate what Beckett’s doing, but it’s overkill. I’ve been through enough that I take extra precautions, like the cameras pointed at you. Text me and we can work out a schedule. All I do is come to work and go home to sleep. I’m Julian by the way.”

“I’m Marc.” A big beefy hand stuck out the window. He took the card then reached out a hand again. Julian easily accepted the handshake.

“Nice to meet you.” Julian turned away but pivoted back around. “If it turns out you’re back tomorrow, come in the restaurant and wait.”

Marc was a friend of Beckett’s, which meant he was a friend to Julian too. Julian shook his head hard as he started back toward his car. What was happening to him?

Chapter 28

“Hang on!” Julian shouted into the other end of the line, causing Beckett to yank the satellite phone from his ear. The volume pierced his brain like a red-hot poker. He swore he heard an echo of Julian’s voice bouncing around the mountaintop where he stood.

When the echo quieted, Beckett hesitantly brought the phone back to his ear. At the same time, he scanned the top of the mountain, searching for any threats before he put the shotgun he held in one hand at his feet and shrugged his backpack off each shoulder.

A steady beat of music played in the background of the call as Beckett dropped to his ass. He landed unceremoniously on the hard rock with a thump, not even caring about any discomfort he might have to deal with. The fatigue of the last few days had finally set in, catching up to him with a long wide-open yawn.