The plane landed at the airport and taxied to the far end of the complex, to a large hanger containing armed guards inside as well as walking around the perimeter. As the plane approached, the hanger doors began to open. The armed guards surrounded the plane and walked inside. The men stopped at the doors and stood at the threshold, turned around and faced outward until the doors fully closed behind the plane. Erik jumped up to unlock the door as Austin began packing his computer away in his briefcase.

“Home sweet home.” Austin looked over at Dryce. “Your father is going to be happy to see you. Fix your tie, we’re heading straight over to the ceremony.”

Dryce looked up towards the cockpit and nodded. “Remember, let’s get ready for Dubai as soon as this is over.”

The pilot nodded, “Right away, sir. I’ll have her ready as soon as possible.”

“What’s with you and Dubai?” Austin asked as they walked off the plane.

“What do you mean? Dubai is fantastic. That’s where I tasted my first piece of pussy.” Dryce smiled. The gears in his head could be seen spinning even from behind him.

“Do you even know what to really do with pussy?” Austin teased. “Or is that something I need to teach you as well?”

“Even though you’ve been with me my entire life… there are some things I’ve learned without your help.” Dryce tilted his head back, looking up into the sky.

“Will you just get your ass in the car.” Austin gently nudged him with his elbow as they walked several steps away from the plane.”We’re already late and your father is expecting you to be on your best behavior.”

Erik stood at the limo door holding it open with one hand while he held his side arm down at his side in the ready. “You about ready to get your picture taken, kiddo?”

Dryce shook his head as he walked up and patted Erik in the stomach. Pulling his hand back, as if he’d hurt it, he joked, “What the fuck, Tank… hitting your stomach is like hitting a brick wall.” Dryce winked, getting in the limo and sliding all the way to the front, sprawling out across the bench style seats.

Erik looked at Austin, “Your file is in the center console, sir.”

“Thanks.” Austin slid in, all the way across to the passenger side of the limo.

Erik looked around one last time, holstered his sidearm and twirled his finger in the air, indicating to the rest of the motorpool it was time to roll out. He plopped himself down in the seat next to the driver’s side door of the limo and slammed the door.

“You know, you don’t have to slam the doors anymore. This isn’t your old 1970’s Ford pickup from down on the farm,” Dryce jokingly smiled.

“Sorry, old habit. Plus, with all this armor in these vehicles, it adds some weight to ‘em,” Erik winked.

“Speaking of… just how flippin’ big are you anyway?” Dryce asked.

“Hmmm, last time I checked, I think I’m around three to three hundred and fifteen pounds. I guess its ok, I mean, I’m like seven-foot-five-inches tall.” Erik tugged on his suit jacket showing pride in his size.

“And that right there, that’s why I call you Tank.” Dryce looked over at Austin and watched him pull the center console down and pulled out a file folder. “Whatcha got there? What’s that?” Dryce asked, craning his neck to see what was written on the file.

Austin quickly glanced up to see who he was talking too. “Hmmm? This…this is your potentially new protection.” Adjusting himself in the seat, he pulled the bottom of his suit jacket out from under his ass. “This guy comes highly recommended by your buddy over here… your ‘Tank’ as you like to call him. I just have to make sure he’s a good fit for the team before we hire him.”

A loud chuckle slipped out of Erik before he turned his focus out the window, always staying alert. “Ha… yeah, Yally is going to really surprise you, gentleman. That file doesn’t really show half the shit he’s done. There’s a lot about Yally that you’ll never read in any file. And Mr. Ngo, Yally fits in anywhere. That’s his job.”

* * *

Pulling up to the ceremony, Dryce let out a long sigh. The motorpool slowly crept through the crowd. Erik pulled his wrist up to his mouth, pushing the mic button with his middle finger.

“Bravo team, check the large group with backpacks… northwest corner,” Erik whispered into his wrist.

Closing the file folder, Austin tucked it in the side pocket of his briefcase then fluffed his suit jacket. “Dryce, you stick to Mr. Keegan’s back until we make to the top of the stage. I’ll be right behind you.”

“Yeah, I got it.” Dryce shrugged his shoulders. “This isn’t my first rodeo.”

The limo stopped and there was a small crowd of women hovering over the carpeted walkway to the stage. “They’re all here to see the young eligible prince here… all of these fucking tramps, I tell ya,” Erik snickered. “I’d rather fight a raging bull driving a Mac truck than deal with two horny girls after this kid’s balls.”

“Just be careful not to run them over too much, Keegan. There are reporters here today,” Austin said.

“Ya ready, kiddo?” Erik asked, tapping Dryce’s knee. “Here we go.”

Erik opened the door and had to immediately extend his arm, blocking the area to allow for Dryce to get out behind him. The open door, Erik’s body and the back side of the limo created a triangle area for Dryce to get out and to his feet. Austin stuck behind Dryce with only one foot out.

Austin tapped Erik on the side twice, using the nonverbal signal to move. Erik, without hesitation, mowed through the girls, making a path directly to the stage.

At the top of the stage, Dryce embraced his mother. “Hello, Mother.” Leaning down he kissed her on her cheek.

“Oh Dryce, don’t kiss me. Lord only knows where that mouth has been since I saw you last.” His mother playfully pushed him away and smacked him on the chest before she took his face in her petite hands and observed, “You’re such a handsome boy with your beautiful dark eyes. And that smile of yours. Why don’t you have a wife yet?”

Looking up, Dryce noticed his father. “Dad, congratulations on today. This is a big day huh?” Reaching over his mother, he extended his hand.

“Have you been keeping out of trouble? You’re not giving Mr. Ngo a hard time are you?” Dryce’s father, the King, asked.

“No, of course not, he’s been doing just fine.” Austin interrupted as he approached and shook the King’s hand. “How are you, Your Majesty?”

“Ha, I think this country would be doing a lot better if my son here didn’t go around the world gallivanting and sowing his seed,” the King laughed.

“Gallivanting? C’mon Dad, I’m doing nothing of the sort. I wrap it up and, besides, I like to think of it more like a charity fund,” Dryce said.

“Charity fund? Just how do you figure?” the King asked.

“All those girls I’ve been putting through college. I like to think that I’m educating the world.” Dryce waved to a waiter for a glass of champagne. “Just one little hottie at a time,” he said under his breath.

“You are incorrigible you know that?”

With a slight smile, Dryce looked out into the crowd as he brought the champagne flute to his lips. A woman stood in the middle of the crowd and immediately caught Dryce’s attention. She was sexy. Beautiful in a way that he’d never seen before. He wanted to know her immediately. The way she stood there looking at him , just barely. Her focus seemed to be on everyone else in the crowd and not so much on Dryce and the family. Her apparent disinterest in him only peaked his interest more.

For a brief moment, their gazes locked and Dryce was captivated. Looking away first, Dryce leaned back to Erik, “Tank, do you know who that sexy ass reporter is?”

Erik looked around. “What reporter?”

Dryce looked back at the crowd and pointed, “The one right there.” But Dryce couldn’t find her anymore. “Oh, um. Well she was right there.” Dryce scanned the crowd again looking for the beautiful brunette, almost desperate for another glimpse of her. “I think she stole my heart,” he whispered under his breath.