The afternoon had started like any other at the agency.
He was sitting in one of the second-floor offices, his feet firmly planted on the floor and an open file in front of him. The coffee he'd left on the desk was already cold. He hadn't bothered to replace it.
The door opened without anyone bothering to knock.
"Regan."
He looked up.
One of the supervisors, Ruaidhri, stood in the doorway with a black folder under his arm.
"We've got a new assignment."
He slowly closed the file in front of him.
"How bad?"
"Bad enough that the client specifically asked for someone with your experience."
That got him to set the coffee aside.
He took the folder when it was handed over and opened it.
The first page contained photographs, personal information, schedules, locations, and security details.
The surname was immediately familiar, and he looked up at the supervisor.
"Exactly."
He knew the man. Not personally, but by name. He was one of the most important businessmen in the country. Someone accustomed to having security around, private meetings, and people trying to get close to him for all kinds of reasons.
He flipped through the pages in silence.
"What happened?"
"Threats."
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Against him?"
"Him and his family."
He kept reading.
The first messages had been warnings. Then they started mentioning private information. Schedules. Places he frequented. Details that shouldn't have left his inner circle.
And finally, the target had shifted.
His daughter.
He stared at that part of the file for a few seconds.
"Is the protection for the whole family?"
"The team will handle the property and the man himself. You'll have a specific assignment."
He closed the folder.
"Her."
"Her."
He let out a low sigh and stood up.
"When do I start?"
"Now."
Thirty-five minutes later, he was driving toward the property.
The mansion was in one of the city's most exclusive areas. The perimeter was fully guarded, and there were more security vehicles than usual.
That didn't surprise him.
When someone threatens a family with that level of resources, you can't assume it's just someone trying to get attention.
He parked in front of the main entrance and stepped out of the vehicle.
His security suit was perfectly fitted. Radio, phone, earpiece, identification, and everything else he needed was in place.
Before entering, he swept the perimeter with his gaze.
Security personnel.
Camera housings.
A pair of parked vehicles.
He memorized everything.
Then he heard voices coming from inside.
Several of them.
And none of them sounded particularly calm.
He walked in, and the lobby was full of movement. Security personnel crossing back and forth, employees talking among themselves, and someone arguing a few meters away.
A man appeared at the back of the room.
He recognized him immediately.
"Sir."
"You must be the bodyguard, Regan."
They shook hands.
His expression was serious.
"I'm glad you took the job."
"I need to know all the details before I agree to anything, sir."
But before he could continue, a voice from the other side of the lobby cut the conversation short.
"I told you I'm not going to stay locked up in here all night."
The man closed his eyes for a second.
He seemed to recognize that voice perfectly.
"My daughter."
Regan looked toward where it came from.
"Is she going out?"
"To a party."
His jaw tightened slightly.
"With the threats?"
"Exactly."
"Then I go with her."
The man looked at him with a mix of resignation and relief.
"That's what I've been trying to tell her for hours."
An employee rushed past them while someone else tried to resolve the argument. He just watched. So this was the situation. The person he was supposed to protect wasn't particularly interested in being protected...
Fine.
He picked up the folder again, tucked it under his arm, and took a few steps further inside.
"Where is she?"
The man pointed toward the great hall.
"There."
He nodded.
He discreetly adjusted his earpiece and headed toward the room.
It was his first day.
He didn't know you yet.
But something told him this job was going to be a lot more complicated than the file suggested.
He pushed the great hall door open, and the argument inside stopped. You were at the far end, coat half on.
"Regan,"
he said, and when you turned:
"Eight tonight. I drive you, I stand at the door, I bring you back at midnight. That's the offer, and it stands even if you say no to it."
He stayed by the door, hands loose, and waited.