Chapter two
I couldn’t seem to move from my current location. Morgan wasn’t dressed for an interview unless the interview was being conducted at a homeless shelter. The green army jacket and the threadbare jeans gave him the air of somebody who didn’t give a damn. His strong work ethic aside, there was something there making me ready to throw caution to the wind with my panties hanging from the chandelier in my bedroom.
I swallowed hard and steeled my nerves for what was to come. Getting closer, I was able to smell his natural scent like an animal behind cage doors.
“Henry has told me a lot about you.” He abruptly turned and zeroed his eyes like a laser beam in Henry’s general direction.
“My life has always been classified with a need to know basis. My service is redacted and not many know the true purpose of my missions. I’m on a furlough from the service. Henry consulted me on your problem and I see the reason why he has raised a red flag. I’ve done my due diligence on you, Lila Robards. I would say you have the unnecessary ability to get under the skin of others.” He was standing at attention with a regal bearing, but I could tell he was wired tight and ready to fight whenever the need arose.
“I don’t necessarily agree with your assessment of the situation. Henry has problems and he can take things personally when it comes to my safety. I expect this is going to be boring for you. Standing and looking menacing doesn’t seem the correct way to use your unusual skills.” I wanted to shake his hand, but feeling him touch me was going to make for an awkward moment.
“To be completely honest, I really don’t care what you think of me. My business is to make sure nothing happens to you. Henry would never let me live it down. We don’t have to like each other to work together. I am at your disposal in whatever capacity you desire to use me.” I heard the last few words and it brought to mind my feet in the air with my high heels punching holes in the upholstery of the ceiling of my expensive sports car.
“I’m afraid this may not work considering my independence. I like to do things my way. It’s nothing personal and maybe we should reconsider having you work for me.” I wanted there to be no mistake about his position. There were several positions I was thinking about making good use of his body.
“I will stand quietly and only answer when spoken to. If I suspect there is a threat then I will act with extreme measures. That is when you will do what you are told without hesitation. I don’t need you second guessing my decisions. Do we understand each other?” It wasn’t so much a question than it was a declaration. I had never had anybody talk to me with such impudence. It was refreshing to not feel his mouth kissing my high heels to climb the ladder of success.
“I will give this one shot to make this work or we will amicably separate at the end of the week.” I remembered what Henry said, but the face I was seeing riding to completion wasn’t his. Morgan had replaced him.
“There is no time like the present to get started. These walls are thin enough for me to hear about your meeting downtown. I’ve taken the liberty of having the car brought around to the back of the building. We will be leaving by the stairs.” It was dirty in the stairwell, but being with him made me feel like a dirty girl. It was fitting and somewhat erotic to think of him touching me with his rough and ready hands.
“I have agreed to this on a provisional basis. When it comes to my safety, I will allow you to guide me with your helping hand. Don’t make the mistake of overstepping your bounds. If I feel you are trying to embarrass me and usurping my authority then we will have to revisit this arrangement.” I grabbed my purple leather jacket from the back of the door. It didn’t fit with the ensemble, but it was the only jacket I owned which made me look like a million bucks.
“I believe you have a hidden doorway behind you. I doubt many would recognize it’s there, but I see it clear enough with my scrutinizing eye for detail.” It was impressive and not many had any knowledge of my hidden exit. “I took a moment before coming over here to familiarize myself with the blueprints. I see something left out of the original designs. There is a space originally used for a private bathroom. The dimensions have considerably changed.” He walked right into the bathroom and opened up the door connected to the cabinet with no regard for my personal space.
He motioned with his hand and I followed a little disappointed that I wasn’t going to be able to see him from behind. The green army jacket didn’t cover the best parts. He moved with no wasted motion.
“I have to get back to work, but I will check in periodically to see how the two of you are making out.” Morgan and I looked at him amused by his suggestive comment. “I didn’t mean it like that. I have to be very careful how I tread to avoid miscommunication.” He closed the bathroom door.
I went ahead of Morgan with the lights automatically illuminating everything in front of me with a motion sensor. I had contracted the work to a relatively unknown company to assure myself there was very little chance of a digital footprint.
“Henry has my deepest respect. He does have the tendency to put his foot in his mouth more frequently than not.” I nodded my head with confirmation as I continued my downward climb of the stairs made of pure metal with a railing to match.
“I knew from the moment I met him that he was one of the good ones. I doubt he mentioned anything about our past relationship. I don’t want to give you the impression I make a habit of sleeping with my employees.” The confession came out of the blue like I couldn’t prevent what my mind was thinking and what my mouth was going to say next.
“He did make mention of your relationship after a few beers. It was one of his regrets. He really wanted to make it work with you, but he knew he was better off letting you fly on your own.” I wasn’t expecting this kind of transparency. He was soft-spoken, but his words were carefully chosen.
“I really thought everything that happened between us was in the cone of silence. It does make sense for him to brag about his conquests when he is overindulging. Sometimes I wonder what would happen if the enemy used liquor as a form of information gathering. We all know the best type of torture is to sexually seduce a person until they are screaming their secret from the top of their lungs.” I found myself opening up to him by no fault of my own. It was easy especially with the awkward silence penetrating the air every time he left something unsaid.
“I believe that is one of the secrets better left unexplored. I would rather have somebody electrify my privates than to contend with a seductress trying to get into my pants.” His attempt at humor was met with a bemused cock of my eye.
“I didn’t take you for somebody who had a sense of humor. There might be some surprises in store for me when it comes to peeling back the layers of your personality. If we are going to do this then we should be on a first name basis. Morgan, this wasn’t my idea, but I don’t think it comes as any great surprise.” I was sweating profusely and the heat within the closed environment was stifling.
“I have learned to acclimate to the individual I’m assigned to. I might not have much to say, but I do keep up with current events. Some people may not agree with the new president of the United States, but they fail to realize his power is limited. There are those he has to listen to. There are guys like me who follow up on those things that need a delicate hand.” I had the feeling he was being sarcastic. I didn’t see anything delicate about the rough edges of this man.
“It’s a good quality and one you have acquired recently. I don’t know many who could do what you do on any given day. It’s a testament to your character and the strength of your fortitude when it comes to protecting those you are assigned to. I don’t think that it’s necessary for me to praise your service to your country. Everything you have sacrificed is not in vain.” I was getting to know him and I felt like I could tell him anything without judgment. I made an involuntary gasp when his two hands grabbed me by the shoulders to prevent me from going any further down the stairs.
I was about to question him on the reason why he took the action until I recognized the wire running from one side of the stairs to the other. It seemed unfathomable that I would get caught with my pants down.
“I don’t want you to move a muscle or it might be your last.” My high heel had made contact with the tripwire. I heard what sounded like a gun about to go off.