approved list of visitors. I take the elevator up and knock once I reach the door. A casually dressed Cal opens the door and motions for me to come inside. I walk in and see no signs of Jenna or Avery, only three suitcases lined up near the kitchen.
“Going somewhere?” I ask, motioning my head towards my new findings.
“Taking my girls for a quick getaway to a remote location on Lake Michigan. We will be back in a couple of days.”
“Where are Jenna and Avery?”
“I sent Jenna to the spa this morning and took Avery to child care. I will pick her and Avery up by lunch time and then we will head straight there.”
“Is Robert at the office?”
Cal raises a questioning eyebrow at me. “Robert is with Jenna, also receiving spa treatments this morning. Why?”
“No reason. Just need to talk to him about something.” Cal doesn’t need to know about my intentions with Layla just yet. He isn’t my friend, but a client, despite his proximity to Layla because of Jenna.
“I appreciate your willingness to meet with me on such short notice. Have a seat so we can begin since I’m on a tight schedule this morning.” He waves his hand toward the couch for me to sit. I put my camera bag down and sit on the edge of my seat, my curiosity peaked at what he wants to say to me.
“As of today, Mason will no longer be with us.”
“Why? What happened?” I ask, concern filling my voice at this news. Jenna can’t go again without a bodyguard, despite the decrease in the number of paparazzi compared to last year when she was a fresh face and a new story.
“I always knew that being the bodyguard to the partner of a celebrity wasn’t what he was interested in, but I was hoping he would stay a bit longer. Nevertheless, one of his former Navy SEAL mates called him with a new opportunity that was more exciting than his current job assignment.” He leans forward and looks me squarely in the eye. “When we get back from our trip, I’ll interview new candidates. In the meantime, I would like to hire you to watch over Jenna.”
I conceal my shock at his request, since I’m the last person that should be considered for the position. “I’m not trained to be a bodyguard.”
“You already scan social media posts for information on where to find the next celebrity gossip and the whereabouts of those celebrities. This time you will be looking for specific threats against Jenna, Avery and myself. You also have extensive training in Krav Maga. I think you would do just fine if your talents were called upon. Besides, this would only be until a new bodyguard has been hired, which I’m hoping will be in place by the time I leave.”
“How do you know about that?” I narrow my eyes at him, starting to feel my blood pressure rise at the knowledge that he has had me investigated. Only my family and close friends know about my Krav Maga training.
“I’ve brought you into my life and that of my family’s. Every person is thoroughly investigated before I make that decision. So yes, Chase, I know all about you. From the elementary school you attended, to the millions of dollars your father embezzled from the family company that is almost in ruins.” He gives me his signature cocky smirk, leans back, and places one arm against the back of the sofa and crosses his legs.
I want to punch that fucking smirk right off his face.
“What do you want from me, Cal?” I growl, wanting him to cut the bullshit and get to the point.
“I want you to be with Jenna whenever she’s not in my presence until a new bodyguard is hired. If I ever feel that I need you when Jenna and I go out together, you will be accessible. When Jenna and I don’t need you, I want you to follow Layla. I would like for that to start today since we are leaving for the weekend and will not need you to accompany us.”
This time, I can’t contain the shock that registers on my face, as I wasn’t expecting Layla’s name to even be brought up in this conversation. “Why do you want me following Layla?”
“Jenna’s concerned about Layla and since she considers Layla a sister, then that makes Layla part of my family. Jenna’s worried that Layla might slip into her old habits, since she