<<. Miles. >>


    Avery asks me for my address so she can send a cab out for me. I am not that stupid. So I tell her I will reach Newport beach. Her ride or whatever can pick me up from there.


    After talking to her, I call Isha and she picks up at the first ring.


    "Hello" she says in a groggy voice.


    "Were you asleep?" I ask while grabbing a luggage bag to pack.


    "Yes boss," she sighs. "What happened?"


    "Sorry to bother you again. Did you ask the Bodyguard to collect that phone I told you about?"


    "Yes... he is probably already at the resort."


    That was quick.


    "Is he the same guy that was assigned at the hospital?"


    Isha goes quiet, then says, "I don''t know, Miles. I assigned the one Liam told me about."


    I pause. Is she talking to Liam? I didn''t know that. I thought they would avoid each other forever. That''s good though.


    "What''s his name?"


    "His name is Ran Garcia."


    I nod. "Send me his number."


    I exin some points that I need her to take care of while I am gone. She sounds unhappy about the fact that I am leaving her in the mess and there is hell with lots of meetings to be rescheduled.


    "I guess I should start sending the emails right away," she mutters.


    "Yes, mydy. That would be nice," I say, and sheughs.


    "Anyway! Have a good holiday!"


    "I will be in touch. It''s not like I am going to vanish for the whole week."


    She takes a pause then asks, "When was thest time you took a holiday, Miles?"


    "I... am not sure." I shrug, thinking. "Maybe it''s been more than three years."


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    God, I am worse than people who have no money to go on holidays.


    "Take this one! You have hired skilled people on high pay to deal with this kind of shit."


    "Yes, whatever." I mutter.


    Isha shares Ran, the bodyguard''s number, with me. After packing my bag for a week, I make my way towards my car and call him.


    "This is Ran speaking. ID:7987 for ck Sea." I frown, then realize it is his work mobile number. The number usually securitypanies assign to their bodyguards. This is the first time I am talking to one.


    "Hi Ran, This is M Miller! You have been assigned to Avery Collins by my assistant Isha Anderson."


    "Yes, Sir."


    "Have you reached there yet?"


    “No. I am waiting for the next ferry to arrive. It''ste at night, so I couldn''t find one any sooner."


    "Wait for me. Someone has arranged a special ride for me. You can tag along."


    I walk towards the helipad and see a tall blond man in a ck suit waiting for me. He looks mid 30''s. Probably 8-10 years or so older than me.


    Cliche uniforms.


    "Ran Garcia"


    "Mr Miller!"


    We shake hands and hop onto the helicopter Avery arranged for me at Newport Beach.


    "I have some things I want you to take care of," I tell him in a loud voice over the noise canceling headphones. As long as I am with Avery, we don''t need Ran''s services 24 by 7. I am good at defending myself and I am sure I can keep Avery safe from potential attacks, too. But I want him to keep an eye on De.


    "Also, anything odd let me know about it. Her or her family. We need to keep an eye on everyone..."


    We will know more once I get the report in the morning.


    "Understood. Spying is not exactly my job-"


    "Don''t give me that bullshit, Ran. I want it done. Charge me or whatever, but do


    it."


    Heughs. "I wasn''t denying you Mr. Miller... Iwas saying it would be an interesting week."


    "I freaking hope so... and don''t use my real name. It''s Liam for them."


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    His lips twitch, and he nods.


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    Ride to Catalina inds takes us 15 minutes. Reaching the resort is another 20 minute car ride.


    "What is your background?" I ask him out of curiosity while we are traveling is a cab.


    "You mean before joining this Security Agency?"


    I nod.


    He chuckles ruefully. "I was in the army before, but retired early."


    I look at him and say, "Thank you for your service."


    He smiles. "You don''t have to thank me, but I appreciate the sentiment."


    "What makes you feel this girl De is behind the attacks on Avery Collins?" He asks after a while.


    "It''s not certain. There were some chat conversations between her and her mother. It''s not solid proof that they are behind it.”


    Apparently some people don''t take encryption of their phones seriously and it''s easy to tap into their private messages. I have sent those records and chats to Jane, the Pet from Dom''s club. She promised she willpile a report and run it on prime time if I give her a green light.


    He looks ufortable for a moment.


    "What is it?"


    "A target is always at the disadvantage. An attack can happen anytime. And we


    are not sure if it''s personal revenge or a kill order."


    A fucking kill order?


    I hadn''t even thought of that. Is that even possible? It''s something freaking mafias


    do. To be honest, I''ve only heard of it in the damn movies.


    "I felt the attacks were too sloppy, and both failed." Thankfully. I tell him.


    He nods and takes out his phone. "I will ask my sisters. They might tell me if there


    is a kill order against Ar Collins in the market. I really hope there is none."


    I press my head into the seat and sigh. "I appreciate that. Tell me as soon as you get the news."


    When we reach the resort, he asks, "Should I inform Ms. Collins about my arrival tonight or in the morning?"


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    "What''s the protocol?"


    "As per protocol I should meet her right now and insist that I will stand by next to her unless she dismisses me for


    the night..


    I think about it. If M has sent a bodyguard, Liam and Ran should not meet her


    at the same time.


    <<. Avery.>>


    After donning a nicecy night suit, Iy in my bed with myptop open in front of


    me.


    I am making a business n for a new startup. After my recent ident, the conversation about Seat belts and heart attacks among women made me think. It''s an opportunity we could exploit for greater good. I am not sure if it would just be an NGO or a profiting business, but I feel it''s something someone should initiate.


    I would like to focus on Car safety for women first. At least to make sure that they run the damn tests on women, too. So we don''t end up with broken cor bones or dead. I am profusely typing all the ideas on top of my head and important points to discuss with my consultant. Lena could be a great help too, but she is too busy with all the work I keep dumping on her.


    Once I am happy with the details I have jotted down, I cannot help but share it with someone. So I send it to the Group chat I have with Lena and her boysister,


    Jake.


    To my surprise, I get a group video call almost immediately. I smile and pick up the call.


    "Hey Avery! how are you?" Jake says, then his eyes widen. "Oh my God, that''s sexy night wear!"


    I yelp and throw my phone away. I totally forgot the sexy clothes I was wearing to wee M. My boobs are almost spilling out of the thin bra.


    I hear both Jake and Lenaugh, and I am turning pink with embarrassment.


    "Oh Avery!!! I am happy that you are having a sexy time more often nowadays," I


    hear Lena''s voice from the phone while I quickly slip on a loose white T-Shirt on the top of my sexy gown.


    I brush the hair away from my face and pick up the phone again.


    "I am sorry for shing you Jake... I hadn''t realized that I wasn''t dressed appropriately for a video call,” I say, but my cheeks are turning redder by each


    passing second, my ears are going hot.


    Oh God, I want to die right now.


    "Oh that''s alright. I don''t mind the view."


    Jake! Lena rebukes him, but she''s stillughing.


    “Yeah, sure,ugh at my expense." I mutter, tucking hair behind my ear.


    "Anyway, what are you working on? I loved it!"


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    My eyes light up and I tell them all the details and thoughts I have been having


    about the new business.


    "I think it''s high time that I start investing more. With the musicpany doing


    well, I am fairly confident about starting a new venture."


    "Oh, I am all in for new ventures, Avery... but please give me back my girlsister! I


    am getting a little lonely and my hands get tired."


    "Jake!" Lena exims and Iugh.


    "Wait 7 more weeks Jake! Then we wille back to New York City," I tell him,


    and that''s when I hear a knock at the


    door.


    I turn my head and Lena asks, "Ooo, looks like her date is here.."


    I quirk my brow at her. Jake interrupts, "Sexy date! Go enjoy, girl!"


    Not a date. But I want to throw that Hot Jerk off bnce tonight.


    They cut the call and I rush towards the door.


    My heart is beating fast as I hesitantly hold the hem of my shirt, wondering if I


    should remove it or keep it on.


    The door knocks again, and I take out the tshirt and throw it on the bed.


    That.... was a mistake.


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