Fatal Diversion (The Keeper's Series #4) - Stephanie St. Klaire Page 0,7

hair pulled back, tactical Dillon. It turned out that tactical Dillon was a stunner, and the president noticed. Who knew?

“It’s a pleasure…Mercy?”

He nodded, playing along despite the game getting old. “From left to right, we have agent Toby Gannon, C.T. Owens, Eli Clayton, and Killion O’Reilly…he’s the brains of the operation and will most likely be behind that computer screen more than anything. He’s our eyes and ears on everything.”

Killion turned from the screen he’d been eyeing and stared at Dillon. This was where they were going to pass or fail, and each of the Keepers knew it. Though Killion was big and brawny and some people found him intimidating, the truth was, he was anything but intimidating – more like a gentle giant. He was also extremely literal and lacked the filter most possessed. He said what he thought, stuck to the facts, and didn’t pick up on social cues like most did. They were all playing a role at the moment, and it was his time to either shine or reveal their ruse.

Dillon raised her brow, and her eyes widened as if he’d read her thoughts and knew to play along.

Killion scanned the room and realized all eyes were on him. They all wore the same expression and held their breath.

Killion nodded. “Nice to meet you, Dill. I’m Killion.”

He immediately turned his attention back to whatever he was working on, yet the simultaneous sigh of relief didn’t go unnoticed by Ransom.

“Am I missing something here?” Ransom questioned.

“No, I don’t think so.” Mercy was quick to play cleanup. “You know Killion. Serious and to the point.”

Ransom looked between Killion and Dillon. “Have you two met before?”

It pained Dillon to lie, which immediately struck her as odd. She typically didn’t care when it came to keeping clients safe. “No. I don’t believe so.”

Killion turned to Ransom, his gaze jumping to Dillon. “Uh. No.”

“Oh, it’s just that he called her Dill.”

“Oh. I, uh, give everyone nicknames.” Killion suddenly found a bit of confidence and his place under the spotlight like he was competing for an Emmy. “It’s a part of my personality. I just shorten names to simplify things. It’s how I deal with people. I know it’s odd, but it works for me. I never forget a name that way. Kind of like how I call you Ran. Well, when we aren’t at the White House because then I call you Mr. President, President Wyatt, or…sir. You get it, right?”

“Everyone calls me Ran,” he replied with a confused look on his face. “Even here at the White House.”

“Okay, Ran.” Killion turned his attention away and began to peck at his keyboard again as if nothing had happened.

“Pfft.” Dillon covered her mouth, recognizing her reaction was out of place as Ransom shook his head once more.

“Mr. President?” Kroy stuck his head in the door to the room they were occupying and scanned the space as he did. “You’re needed for a moment in the Oval.”

“Shit. I need to go sign some bullshit bills for some bullshit media thing for optics. I’m so sick of the word optics. Waste of my time,” Ransom said, making his way to the door to meet Kroy. He turned to the group. “I’ll be back shortly. How about you all take the time to get acquainted and talk about protocols and expectations, or whatever it is you do at this point. Kroy and I will be back as soon as this dog and pony show is over and the press leaves. We can debrief at that time.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Mercy said with his eyes on Dillon. “Expectations is a good place to start.”

6

“What the hell has been going on here, Dill?” Mercy was direct, his tone teetering between question and scolding.

“Don’t do that, Mercy.” She was quick to fire back. “Don’t act like you don’t know…he’s your brother.”

“I said to get close to him and keep an eye on things…not date the guy.”

Dillon’s jaw dropped. “Are you kidding me? You sent me into the lion’s den. Your brother seems a little lonely and apparently likes a challenge. The more I push back, the more he wants private dinners in his quarters.”

“In his quarters? Did you go?” Mercy asked.

“Are you kidding me? If this were any other job, this would be called something other than an assignment, Mercy. You’re basically whoring me out at this point.”

“Whoring you?” Mercy ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m not whoring you out. I figured you’d be the best fit