Page 4 of About Last Night

Normally he kept everything pristine and organized. He waved it away. “A project I’m working on.”

I didn’t ask more. I’d learned over the years when Raf wasn’t ready to talk, he became a vault, and it wasn’t worth the time or effort to try to pry him open because he wouldn’t share until he was good and ready.

I sat down in the chair across from his and opened the folder. Inside was a picture of a pop star I’d seen on magazines at the store. I’d never listened to her music, but it seemed like she was doing well for herself. Clearly she was doing even better than I’d given her credit for if she could afford Raf.

“Brynn Davis,” I said, reading the name at the top of the file.

“She’s got a stalker.” He flipped the tablet on his desk around and pressed play on a video that seemed to run on a loop. “She was sent a phone with this video on it. It was dropped off at her house, but the gate guard didn’t catch who it was. She also got a text to her personal phone that same day.” He pointed to the file I was holding, and when I flipped the page, I saw a screenshot of the message. My brow furrowed as I pored over the papers in my hand.

“She doesn’t have any additional security besides a gate guard?”

“She has a bodyguard on retainer for when she goes out.”

“Who?” I asked, cutting him off from whatever else he was going to say.

“Who do you think?”

There was only one other company in LA at our level, and they were constantly cutting corners. Raf didn’t allow any of our clients to only use us for public appearances. There was at least one man on the premises or a very expensive security system and strict protocol if we were hired.

“When do I start?”

“Today too soon?”

The corner of my lips tilted up. “Nope.” It’s not like I had anything exciting going on at home.

I could only hope Brynn Davis wasn’t some shallow pop princess who would drive me up a goddamn wall like so many others had in the past.

This was just another job.

DON’T GET A LADY BONER FOR YOUR NEW BODYGUARD

Brynn

“Is a full-time bodyguard really necessary?” I asked my manager, Stella. I already had such little privacy as it was, the thought of having someone in my space at all hours of the day grated on what little composure I’d managed to maintain since the delivery yesterday.

The worry on her face hadn’t gone away for a single second since the box had been delivered, but now there was a hint of relief there as well. “Afraid so. We can’t risk your safety, Brynn, and these guys are the best of the best.”

I knew she was right—this threat had been worse than any other I’d received in the past—but that didn’t make it easier to swallow.

Maybe it was stupid to hate the idea of having a bodyguard full-time. I already had them whenever I went out in public; was it really such a big deal to have them with me at all times? Wasn’t my safety more important than my privacy? The answer should’ve been an easy yes, but the truth wasn’t that simple.

Stella cleared her throat. “There was another package with a note found last night. It was more graphic than the others and delivered to your private studio.”

My studio? That wasn’t even in my name. It was under a shell company that was under another shell company because I never wanted to be hounded by press if they found out where it was. We were always careful about when we went and that I was never seen entering or exiting the building.

I felt the blood rush from my face as I unsteadily grasped for the chair behind me. My movements were less than graceful when I sat with a thump.

Stella grabbed my knee and squeezed, and I looked up into her kind brown eyes. “Don’t worry, Brynn. We got the best security company money can buy. They’re sending over one of their top guys.”

I nodded vacantly as I nibbled on my lip and wondered if fame was really worth this. Was it worth looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life? If it wasn’t this stalker, would it be someone else? Was I doomed to always be surrounded by people and yet feel so painfully isolated that my heart constantly ached?

A knock sounded on the door, pulling me from my mental spiral. Stella was already halfway there when I stood from my chair. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath while she greeted the person at the door and introduced herself. Her heels clacked on the tile floors of my entryway. Only when I heard her getting closer did I open my eyes and spin around to face her and my new bodyguard.

Every thought in my head evaporated instantly as my gaze slid down the tall, delicious man in front of me. His brown hair looked perfectly styled, and his black suit fit snugly over his broad shoulders, thick biceps, and fit torso. It must’ve been custom because it didn’t fit his frame awkwardly. His face was stern and serious, but his deep brown eyes were observant as he quickly scanned the room before looking at me. His gaze was penetrating, his dark brows only slightly slanted to give away that he was assessing me—whether to see if he could determine my character or my weaknesses, I wasn’t sure. I held my breath wondering what he thought of me. Then I fought to keep my face neutral when the stupidest thought I’d ever had raced through my mind faster than I could stop it.

Did I make his breath catch the way he’d made mine?

He held out his hand. “Wyatt Jones.”