Tough Luck (A-List Security 1)
“Exactly. I can’t just write this off. And that’s where you come in.”
I groaned because I knew where he was headed with this. “You can’t change your flight?”
I glanced over to the suitcase waiting by the entryway. Duncan was headed out on a job for a big starlet going to a Toronto film festival. And he’d been nice enough to let me crash here while he was away. I owed him.
“Nope, I can’t pass up this job, especially last-minute, but I need someone to check on Danny, see what sort of security setup he actually has in place, and get more info about what’s going on.”
“Harley?” I kept my voice hopeful even though I knew the answer.
“He’s got a gig on a set with long hours. Eventually, we’ll have more options, but we’re still working out specifics with several candidates.”
“The two of you and your home for wayward ex-SEALs.” I shook my head. His and Harley’s business plan wasn’t terrible. Plenty of folks needed jobs after getting out of the service. I just wasn’t so sure I was one. “Listen, I’ll do this favor for you. One-time deal. Save your money.”
“We won’t put you on the payroll. Yet.” He winked at me before pulling out his phone. “But my offer will still be there when you’re ready. And I’m sending you the address details now.”
“Better tell him I’m coming by,” I advised, not missing how sure Duncan had been that I’d say yes. I was too damn predictable.
“Yup, I knew I could count on you.” Duncan clicked around on his phone, and moments later, my own cell beeped in my pocket.
“Always.” I meant that. He might be presumptive and meddling, but he also had my respect and friendship for life. I might have no fucking clue what to do with my life now, but I’d always be there for Duncan and the rest of my special forces buddies.
And that was how I found myself navigating a ritzy Hollywood Hills neighborhood looking for Danny’s place. Needing something more than one of Duncan’s protein bars, I’d stopped for a fast-food breakfast sandwich. The place had a two-for-one deal, so I’d gotten an extra for Danny. A peace offering because I suspected he’d be less than thrilled with his brother checking up on him.
But damn, did this kid need Duncan’s help. Most of the driveways on his street of older stately mansions had locked gates, but not Danny’s. Just a simple wide-open driveway, an invitation to trouble. I was a little surprised at his choice of neighborhoods. I would have figured a young star like him for a penthouse downtown or a glitzy modern palace farther up the hills, not this street of historic places that seemed transported from last century.
At least his Spanish-inspired estate with white walls and a red roof complete with a turret was set back away from the road. But still, it was far too easy for me to pull in and park right next to the multi-level house, which was tucked into a steep hillside. In keeping with his piss-poor security, a brief sweep revealed no obvious camera other than the doorbell one.
I pressed the bell and held up the bag of food. “Hey, it’s Cash. Duncan’s friend. I brought breakfast.”
“Cash?” A voice crackled back over the intercom. “No, I paid on the app. Your tip is on there too. Just leave the food right inside the courtyard.”
No, I most certainly was not leaving the food and going, especially when I tried the tall gate next to the doorbell and found it unlocked, leading to a small courtyard.
“Hello? Danny?” I called out. Some sort of melodic flute music sounded in the distance, reminding me of open-air markets I’d visited on deployments.
“Just leave the food,” a voice answered, closer than expected. I tracked the voice to a wrought iron gate on the other side of the courtyard, leading to a little garden and—
“Holy fuck.” A buck-naked man was right there in the middle of the manicured garden, standing on a yoga mat. Man. I’d seen enough pics of Duncan’s brother over the years to know this was Danny, but when the hell had he grown? He wasn’t particularly tall, but he was lean with cut muscles and freckles in interesting places. And naked. Very, very naked.
“What the hell?” Danny tumbled out of whatever yoga pose he’d been doing. His eyes widened. “You’re not the grocery delivery guy.”
“Nope.” I shifted the food bag to my other hand so I could get my military ID as proof. But as soon as I reached for my back pocket, Danny made an alarmed noise.
“Please don’t kill me!”
Chapter Two
Danny
The huge, hulking specimen in my courtyard was absolutely not my usual produce delivery person. I had maybe not been listening the closest to my doorbell intercom, and now I was going to pay with my life because this guy was deadly fierce. Scruffy beard. Battered ball cap. Massive chest matched by even more impressive thighs and biceps. If I was going to die because of my stupidity, at least it was to a dude who looked like a rougher, sexier version of Duncan’s SEAL friends, especially with that military tat on his left arm.