Daylight // David Kushner

I've been on duty for Brianna most of the day, securing our resort location and making sure the staff here are up to speed. It's not our first time at this location, so they are aware of my need to dig into every detail with a fine-toothed comb. I've kept my distractions to a minimum, thank God. I'd started to doubt my ability to keep focused on my job, something no personal bodyguard should ever have trouble doing. We literally hold someone's life in our hands. There is no room for error.

It's a fucking relief to be able to mentally shut down my personal life and keep on top of the details again. Although, I know that I'll be seeing the object of my obsession any minute now, which is proving to be an effective antidote to what ails me.

I've been running around the resort all day, so I sent The Kid to pick up my precious cargo, Katie and Colleen, from the airport . Brianna had her glam squad ready to prep both of them for tonight's big dinner party. I know I'll be knocked on my ass by how drop-dead gorgeous Colleen looks after a day of being pampered. I've been on my ass since the day I met her. She's gorgeous every day, in every state of being or dress—although more and more I'm thinking about her in a state of undress—so I'm fully expecting my jaw to drop at her over-the-top beauty. Damn, I might just keel over completely seeing her tonight.

Pulling my head back into the present, I rush from one spot to another bringing everyone up to speed. The Kid finds me not long before the big dinner is set to start.

"Package delivered, boss," he says with a stiff nod.

I clap him on the shoulder. "Thanks, man. I wouldn't trust just anyone with my girls. Remember that."

The Kid stands a little straighter, once again responding with a tight nod. "Yes, sir. I'll resume guarding the popcorn so you can clock out."

I check the time. Just enough to shower and change before everyone starts arriving.

"Do we ever really clock out?" I ask with a wink. It's meant to lighten the guy up, but I think I just did the opposite. His back is ramrod straight and his eyes are covering the perimeter. He's a true soldier

"Like I said, I don't trust just anyone. I'll see you in a while. Check in with me if there's anything unusual."

"Yes, sir."

I shake my head as I walk away. Kid keeps reminding me of myself.

As I head back to my room, a text from my brother comes in.

Frank: He's in motion

I'd been waiting for an update from Frank on Rosshole's whereabouts. He doesn't text me unless there's something new to report, but it's been longer than usual. And fuck. Not the news I needed today. I've got more than enough surveillance on my hands without adding to the mix.

After our quick exit to avoid a run in with Curt a couple weeks ago, we've tracked him on our tail regularly. Which is why I've been extra vigilant at this resort while we're here. It's our first extended stop in a while. I don't want Curt to have an advantage after his recent stalking pattern. Just as Brianna ends a run at a venue, he shows up in town. We leave and Curt drops off our radar. I'm getting pissed at our cyber guys because he keeps giving them the slip. Curt can't possibly be tech savvy enough for that.

And now Ross is back in the spotlight. Fucking perfect.

Me: What's his location?

Frank: He's cut the distance between you in half.

Again, not what I wanted to hear.

Me: Got any reason for an extended stay in a small box?

My way of asking if Frank can have him detained by a local agency.

Frank: working on it.

Me: understood. I've got a similar situation here.

Frank: I'm bringing a meal out your way. Be there soon.

Meal is code for intel. Even on our personal devices, we're cautious, keeping our words nonspecific. I don't employ the only hackers on the planet. I don't need my shit blasted or used against me. Not that I think Rosshole or Curt have the means or capability to tap into my phone, but once you get lax in one area it spreads like a disease. We follow protocol religiously for that reason alone.

Me: I'll save you a spot at the table.

Frank: I'll bring my appetite.

I hope that's all he's bringing. Frank is joining me for the midtour dinner party, at my request. The more eyes the better because Curt knows all about Brianna's traditional celebration and I wouldn't put it past him to try and crash the party. And yeah, I hope he comes alone. His girlfriend is...a lot. I shake my head thinking about how diametrically opposed those two are. His stiff upper lip is worse than The Kid's. And Misty is the textbook definition of hot mess. She could absolutely send this party off the rails single handedly.

Brianna's been holding a formal mid-tour dinner for years. She needed to be able to trust her team because her manager at the time, Logan, was a complete slimeball. Still is. But now he's enjoying his own long stay in a small box, so problem solved.

This tour, she's got us staying at her favorite beachside resort once again, aptly called Lazy Days. I already feel like a bum with the casual beach cottage setting. The restaurant overlooks pristine waters and bold, green palm trees. Very tropical. Add in the tiki huts and Adirondack lounge chairs lining the private beach and I might never leave.

Brianna rented out the entire place so there won't be any tourist's trying to get a peek at the pop star while she's relaxing with her people. It could be giving me a breather, too, if I weren't hypervigilant for Curt's sake.

30 minutes later, I'm in my black suit and tie, standing at the entrance to tonight's festivities. Several of our guys have shown up, those not currently on duty, along with some behind the scenes people and a few of our long-term roadies. One of the newer guys, Rick, saunters up to the entrance. He's one I've always got my eye on. But once again, I can't fire a guy on a gut feeling.

"Rick. Looking nice tonight," I say with a nod to his dark suit.

"Yeah, uh, thanks." He absentmindedly glances around the cocktail hour as he answers me. I watch as his hand pats his front pocket. This is a method most people in my field wouldn't know to utilize. I call attention to a guy's appearance then he responds by unconsciously touching the one place he's most vulnerable. I zero in on Rick's pocket and notice a subtle outline.

"Hand over the phone, Rick. You know the policy."

"Are you fucking for real? You can't take my phone."

"I absolutely can." I narrow my gaze without making a move in his direction. I don't even need to look directly at the fucker, just explain in the simplest of terms what his options are. "But if you're that unwilling to attend without it, consider your invitation revoked."

Rick grumbles something about me being a control freak, which I take as a compliment, and hands over his device. I pocket the thing and wave him past me. He continues grumbling as he heads into the party.

What a fuckwit.

More guest enter, none causing me a second look. Until the crowd I'm awaiting approaches. I don't notice what anyone else says, the carefully pulled together ensembles or the intricate hair styles passing by. My only focus is on the two ladies at the back of the group. My smile grows inch by inch the closer they get to me. And my heart races as Colleen's eyes meet mine.

Her hair is swept up and away from her face. I can't wait to pull the hair pins out one at a time and watch as it cascades down her back. She's in a soft blue dress, sheer along her collar bone and her arms but dusted with what looks like snowflakes. So delicate and yet utterly sexy. I can already picture peeling her out of it later. Katie's wearing a sweet buttery yellow dress with a swishing skirt, something she's always wanted. I need to remember to thank Brianna for giving my girls such pampering.

Katie breaks into a skip when she hits the restaurant. I bend down to scoop her into my arms, swinging her around when she's wrapped around me.

"I've missed you!" I stop spinning her and hold her tight.

"Dad, I'm dizzy." She giggles.

I put her down, grabbing her hand. "Are you ready for a big, fancy feast?"

Katie rolls her eyes, something I'll never get used to. "I've been to a gala before, Dad."

"Oh, really," I say, thinking of the boring dentist fundraisers she's been to. "Well, you haven't been to an official Brianna Royce dinner. It's one of a kind." I wink at Colleen then find myself locked in her gaze. Katie pulls on my hand and I trail behind her as we find our seats at the table.

Zack and Brianna are seated in the middle. I show Katie, then Colleen, to our seats toward the end of the table. I choose the seat most open to the rest of the building along with a wide view of the outside deck. Strategic, yes, but I can also relax knowing all of the protocols I put in place are airtight.

Brianna stands to make a toast, holding her champagne glass high

"I want to thank everyone for coming tonight, and for making it through the first half of the tour. We've had our miscues and malfunctions, trip ups and falls. But those are to be expected. We can all be proud of the job we've done so far."

Before she can even sit down, one of the roadies I've had an eye on, John, mutters a dig at Jacob.

"How many jobs has the scrub gotten on this tour so far."

It's hardly audible for most of the table, but my job is to recognize assholery when I see it. This is the definition. The guy has been making veiled innuendo's aimed at undermining Char's position as management and Jacob's standing as one of Brianna's inner circle. I've been waiting for one of these roadies to step out of line so I can hand them their walking papers. John did the hard part for me.

I'm up and in the guy's face, one hand on the back of his chair and the other planted squarely on the table in front of him. I lean close enough that only he will hear what I say.

"Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Creating a hostile work environment is actionable. Sexual harassment 101, John. You should have paid more attention during that training." John gulps, not making eye contact with me. Seconds later he's the one out of his seat and leaving the party.

I wish the drama had ended with John, but someone in our crew must have pissed off the universe because the rest of the night turns into a shit show.

***

Long after the dinner is over, I sip my beer and listen to the roll of the ocean outside my room. Katie is watching a movie while sprawled on the bed next door, our connecting door open, while Colleen sits across from me with a glass of wine, still in her blue gown. The one I've imagined slipping it off her all night.

"That was an interesting dinner. Are they always like that?"

"Do you mean do the roadies typically harass Brianna's friends, or does Citizen One always show up late and toasted?"

It was the worst kind of dramatic dinner party. Not even the guy who hosts those Real Housewives tell-alls could get drama this messed up out of those women. Ryan was spitting nails about Curt. Seth was volleying back at him. Jace got caught in the crossfires because Curt left him with parting gifts in the form of self-doubt. Then Zack and Jacob got into it over a misunderstanding because Brianna ran off in tears. And I'm not even allowing my brain to replay Misty's intrusive comments. Frank has his damn hands full with her.

"Or are you asking if there's usually an emotional meltdown from literally everyone sitting at the table over ghosts of Curt Wainwright past? Because, nope, nope and nope. Tonight, you witnessed a special brand of oh shit."

"You didn't have a meltdown about Curt."

"Not visibly, no. But I'll admit to grinding my teeth when he was mentioned."

"Do you know what brought all of that on?" Colleen leans forward, using her hushed keep-Katie-out-of-this voice, which I appreciate. She's too young to be involved in any of this.

"Curt's been tailing us. Showing up close to venues just as the show is closing. That and the fact that trial dates are looming has put them all on edge."

She nods. "Jace seems to be taking it the worst. Poor kid. This is all too much for him."

I roll my head, letting the tension in my neck crack as I do. "It sucks, but he's going to have to toughen up if he wants to make it. This business can rip a guy to shreds if he lets it."

She's quiet for a while, sipping her wine as I do the same with my beer.

"And then that speech you gave to Jacob," she says into the thick air of memories in the room, tilting her head to watch me.

"What about it?" I look directly at her. Jacob is in limbo with Char, not knowing the next steps to take with her. Rather than watch him flounder and fuck the whole thing up, I told him like it is. Yeah, it was in front of everyone but I'm not hiding from what I said. And I know that Colleen is wondering if the words I used with Jacob also apply to her.

"Do you or do you not care about her? Are you or are you not all in? You don't half ass it with a woman like Char."

I've already crossed lines with Colleen. I've held her close, kissed her lips, dreamed of doing so much more. A little honesty won't change any more than I already have.

The silence stretches between us before I glance through the doorway to where Katie is fast asleep with her movie still playing in the background. I lean closer to Colleen, pressing my lips gently to hers.

"I think Katie's ready to call it a night," I whisper.

"I'll help her get to bed." Colleen looks into my eyes.

"And then come back over here," I demand as quietly as I can. Her nod is small, but I see it. I tug her hand into mine, lacing my fingers with hers and pulling her closer. My free hand slides into her hair, caressing the back of her head as our lips collide. I kiss her soundly, with purpose. Intention. Because I have every intention of kissing her like this for hours, of holding her as close as possible. And not worrying about any damn lines anymore.

I have no more lines where Colleen is concerned. Only desire. Want. And like I told her before she got on that plane, I fucking need her. That hasn't changed.

I cannot tell you what a challenge it is to rewrite a scene from another character's perspective. This dinner scene is in Jacob's book (Not Another Player) and I thought what I always do (oh this will be a quick chapter because I already have the plot worked out) and what happens EVERY SINGLE TIME happened - its soooooo much harder to decide which parts to keep, which to summarize and which to ignore completely. And I already feel like I left important chunks out (AKA Frank and Misty's scene got cut but he's got to be there to give Clinton the "meal").

Ugh.

But no worries. That's what the morning after is for! And of course, we'll get a healthy dose of Misty, eventually.

Also, THIS SONG! Gah, the vibes hit me immediately. It's not exactly right for its lyrics, but the heaviness of the tone matched how I feel about this plot (at times). It's got claws, which I love! And his voice!?!?! So smooth, deep, fabulous. Perfect for Clinton.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]