Joshua considered it for a moment, then nodded gently.


    "All right... That sounds reasonable."


    Ste decided toy her cards on the table. "I didn''t join the Williams Group just for fun, Joshua. Like Jonathan and the others, I n to be a major shareholder with real power.


    So, I need someone I can trust to stay by my side and protect me-someone skilled and reliable.


    I know your previous job must have paid extremely well. I''m willing to offer you double that, plus apany apartment and a car. At the end of the year, you''ll get a share of the profits, too.


    If you have any other requests, just let me know. As long as it''s within my power, I''ll do my best to meet them."


    She paused briefly, then added, "If you don''t have any pressingmitments at the moment, would you consider working with me?"


    Ste fell silent, giving Joshua time to think.


    But Joshua, after hearing the words "someone I can trust," barely heard anything else. The phrase echoed in his mind, drowning out the rest.


    Ste waited for a while, but he still hadn''t said a word. He looked dazed, lost in thought. She couldn''t tell if he''d even registered what she''d told him.


    She couldn''t help herself. "Joshua, are you listening?"


    He snapped out of his trance. "What?"


    ...So he hadn''t heard a thing.


    Patiently, Ste repeated herself, "I want to hire you as my bodyguard. The terms are negotiable—if you have any sry expectations, just say the word." Joshua replied, "...No, I don''t."


    Ste asked carefully, "Would you like to take some time to think it over, or-?" He cut her off. "No need. I''ve made up my mind."


    Ste''s heart skipped a beat, nerves fluttering in her chest. She hadn''t felt this tense in ages; not even duringpetition did she get so anxious.


    "So... your answer is?"


    Joshua said simply, "I ept."


    Relief washed over Ste and she broke into a smile. "Are you sure you don''t want to talk about sry or benefits?"


    Joshua shrugged, "You can work that out with Abby."


    "All right."


    Ste was about to suggest that Joshua get some rest, but he''d already taken a seat on the couch in the hospital room.


    Joshua


    hospitEven though the no safe house is truly foolprot


    hospital has been cleared of threats,


    can''t afford to drop our guard."


    We


    Ste was reminded of what happened to Leonard. She looked at Joshua and


    asked, "Have you heard what happened to Leonard?"


    He nodded, "Yeah, I heard."


    Now that Joshua was officially her bodyguard, there was no reason to keep things from him.


    "After Leonard was shot, he was


    rushed to the hospital. But while he


    was there, someone managed to


    stab him. I suspect a hired kitter was


    involved."


    It wasn''t easy to slip into a hospital with that level of security-especially not while


    disguised as medical staff.


    It might sound simple, but given Leonard''s status and theyers protection


    around him, pulling ret


    this


    off would''ve taken serious skill.


    Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"


    Ste nodded. "Abby got the news from Haynes."


    As they spoke, Abby walked in.


    When she saw Joshua, her face lit up with joy.


    "Joshua, you''re back!"


    She had been hoping-practically praying that Joshua would return. With him around, Abby could finally breathe easy.


    She nced at Ste, silently asking if she''d talked to Joshua about staying.


    Ste nodded lightly.


    Abby beamed. "Joshua, once Star bes the bossdy, we''ll be living the good


    life!"