Stoking the Fire (Salus Security #1) - Teodora Kostova Page 0,37

He hugs me fiercely.

Kayden is watching us with his usual bored expression. Arms folded, slim hips cocked, blond hair perfectly styled, green eyes as cold as lake water on a December morning. He’s as beautiful as he’s arrogant.

He smirks at me. I resist giving him the finger behind Jamie’s back. Barely.

“How have you been?” Jamie asks when we separate. His brown eyes grow serious as he studies my expression. “I’m so sorry to hear about the attack.”

I nod. “I’m okay, I guess.” I incline my head back toward where I’m sure Alec is standing. “Got a bodyguard.” Jamie's eyes travel over my shoulder and then widen comically. “Dad’s brilliant idea,” I add.

I can see the smile tugging at Jamie’s lips, but he manages to hold it in. His eyes sparkle mischievously when he sidesteps me and offers Alec a hand.

“Alec, good to see you again.”

“Again?” I sputter. As far as I’m aware, Jamie and Alec don’t know each other.

“Likewise.” Alec shakes Jamie's hand, and there’s a genuine warmth in his smile.

“Kayden,” I say, nodding in his direction. He raises a hand in a mock salute, then smiles at Alec.

“It’s really good to see you again, Alec.” He saunters over to us, his handshake lingering for longer than necessary.

To my surprise, Alec doesn’t glower at him.

What the fuck’s going on?

Reading my confused expression correctly, Jamie says, “We used Salus Security on set last year, and then Alec provided personal security for Kayden.”

“Stalkers. Love them or hate them, they come with the job,” Kayden says, finally letting go of Alec’s hand. Voice like velvet, he adds, “I see you downgraded your clientele.”

Before I can come up with a scalding—and incredibly clever—response, Kayden winks at Alec, and without another glance at anyone else, walks off.

“How do you resist murdering him every single day?” I ask Jamie.

He laughs, probably thinking I’m joking. “He’s not that bad.”

“I sincerely doubt that.”

“It’s our third project together. I’m used to him by now. And,” he leans closer, whispering conspiratorially, “don’t tell him I said this—I do enjoy having balls—but he’s only putting on a show for you. For some reason he enjoys annoying you. He’s very professional on set and very quiet in private.”

I scoff. “Again, I sincerely doubt that.”

Jamie laughs, then wraps an arm over my shoulders. “I have to go do my speech in about five minutes, but let me buy you a drink after?”

“It’s an open bar,” I say with a smile. There’s something about Jamie that always manages to make me relax and let go of all the frustration I’m set on bottling up inside.

“I didn’t mean here. No offense to your mother, but this event is kinda boring. Let’s hit the clubs later?”

Nervous anticipation clenches at my stomach. I ignore it. I really need to let loose, even just for a night.

“Sure. Text me when you’re done schmoozing potential producers?”

“You got it.”

Jamie gives me a brief hug, then walks off. When I face Alec, his angry eyes lock on mine and hold.

“Is that what you call laying low?” he says through clenched teeth.

“Don’t start.” I try walking past Alec, but he grabs my arm and pulls me closer to him, leaning down to speak in my ear.

“I wouldn’t go out clubbing tonight if I were you.” His voice makes me shudder as I imagine him saying something completely different in that low, gravelly tone.

With effort, I yank my mind back from the gutter and pull my arm away from Alec’s grip.

“I’m going,” I say, meeting his eyes head on.

Disappointment flashes in his gaze, and he steps away from me, lips pursed in an angry line.

For reasons I’m not able to analyze, I’m dead set on proving to Alec that I haven’t changed at all in the last three years. That I’m still the same insecure, party-loving, self-hating, immature asshole he left behind.

Judging by the glare he’s aiming me, he believes me.

The thump of the bass feels both familiar and foreign. I haven’t been out clubbing since I started the PhD program. There’s no time; most of my friends slunk away after I cleaned up my act, and Adri’s been traveling too much. The few times I saw him, we stayed in and talked. Mostly.

As we walk further inside the club, the music gets louder. The vibrations of the bass echoes in my bones. I close my eyes and inhale deeply, trying to get my body to relax.

Next to me, Alec stands rigidly, his bulky frame taking up too much space in the crowded