Heya! Hope you enjoyed Chapter One of Jaxon: The Assignment from yesterday.
Today, I'm excited to share with you Chapter Two. Here it is!
Jaxon: The Assignment, Chapter Two
Holly kept her head low, ensuring no one glancing through the windows of Xavier’s office could take a good look at her.
“Everything okay?” Eve whispered as Xavier asked the wedding planner another question.
She gave her future sister-in-law a bright smile. “Yeah.”
What else could she say? Why should anyone care that she—one of the most fortunate women on the planet with her successful career and legions of fans—was getting her heart broken again right that minute?
She pretended to play with her phone to avoid glancing up, lest Eve and Xavier notice her moistening eyes.
Her popularity had exposed her to countless opportunities and possibilities, and she was humbled that so many people around the world enjoyed her songs and adored her as a performer. She wasn’t taking for granted the benefits she continued to receive.
But when it came to matters of the heart, her superstardom was a curse.
Since winning the popular TV talent show that had made her a global superstar five years ago, she’d had a terrible time with relationships. Some men were intimidated by her fame, and most simply couldn’t handle or refused to be caught in the spotlight that was relentlessly trained on her.
So she’d tried dating only those in the entertainment industry. She’d thought it would be easier, but it was so much worse, with double the attention thrown their way. Luckily, her last two celebrity exes had been concerned enough about bad publicity that they’d secretly admitted to her that they’d cheated before anyone could find out.
She snickered silently. Yeah, she’d been lucky that those betrayals hadn’t made the news, and that she’d dodged a bullet with those guys. However, she’d started to develop a reputation. Sections of the media had been painting her as a playgirl, basing their claim on the fact that they’d never known her to have a serious relationship with anyone.
It was true she’d never been with any guy long-term, but it wasn’t for the reason they stated. She was just terribly unlucky in love.
Eve laughed at something her wedding planner said, and Holly smiled wistfully.
Now there was one lucky gal. Holly knew that her brother was with Eve for the right reason. Eve’s career as co-host of a top-rated public affairs program didn’t define their relationship.
And Holly had wished for so long for what those two had—true, unconditional love. She was more than ready to give her whole heart to the right person. And frankly, she’d been hoping it could be Jaxon.
But he’d pulled away.
She’d laid everything on the line to show him she was definitely and utterly interested, and he’d rejected her.
She’d thought she’d simply been too subtle in the past with her flirtations. So today, she’d turned it right up, hoping he’d finally bite.
But, nope. He plainly and simply didn’t want her.
How embarrassing.
And, damn it, it hurt.
She’d done everything she could, bar throwing herself at him and kissing him square on the lips. Now, she probably shouldn’t go any further. She’d only be ruining their friendship and Jaxon’s close bond with her brother if she continued to push herself onto him when he clearly wasn’t interested. Plus, she did have some pride left.
Her watch tapped her with an incoming text. It was from Christine Pan, her manager of one year.
Hey, I know you said you’ll be at your brother’s gym. Just wanted to let you know that Bryce Green, the guy Smith Security proposes to be your new bodyguard, is here in my office. If you have time right now, you might want to come and interview him so he can start straight away. Let me know ASAP, please.
Holly smirked. Christine was just as bad as her family in wanting her to finalise the hiring of her new bodyguard. She glanced at Xavier and Eve, who were still enjoying the discussion regarding the theme for their upcoming wedding.
Xavier had insisted he wanted to be present when Holly checked out this new guy, but that was just Xavier being his usual overprotective self. The last time they’d interviewed her security detail, she’d asked all the questions herself, with Xavier simply nodding and agreeing with everything.
So Xavier didn’t have to be there for this interview. All that she needed to determine was whether she’d like the man enough to let him follow her around. Only she could make that decision, not anyone else.
She really didn’t want another bodyguard. The drama regarding their parents’ unwitting connection with criminals had been over months and months ago. That had been the only reason she’d agreed to have a security detail in the first place. Now, that horrible event was well and truly behind them, thank goodness.
But she supposed there were times that having security still helped, especially when some of her overzealous fans—OZs as Christine had dubbed them—forgot their boundaries. She’d slipped once and sprained her ankle when two girls had suddenly grabbed her for selfies. And she’d gotten scared when a big guy with bad body odour had rushed to her and tried to plant an unwanted kiss on her lips.
Her former bodyguard had been great at stopping people from getting too close to her unless it was something she’d wanted. Too bad he’d had to resign. She’d gotten along well with him.
She texted her manager to let her know she’d be at her office in five minutes. Then she stood and whispered to the couple. “I’m going to Christine’s. I’ll come back here in thirty minutes.”
The couple nodded distractedly.
Her heart skipped when she found Jaxon sitting on a bench just outside Xavier’s office, looking at her.
“You leaving?” Jaxon asked.
“I’m going to my manager’s at Clarence Street. I’ll be back in about half an hour.”
Jaxon’s brows furrowed. “Want some company?”
She looked at him questioningly. “What do you mean?”
Jaxon shrugged. “I’m kinda bored waiting here for those two to finish. I wouldn’t mind a stroll with you.”
“In that?” She couldn’t help but smile as she looked pointedly at his muscular torso, clad only in a sleeveless shirt. Not to mention he was still wearing his short gym shorts.
Jaxon looked down at his attire. “Why not? It’s not a crime to walk around the city in this gear.”
“But you’ll attract so much attention from the ladies that they’ll then check me out,” she said teasingly, although she wasn’t joking. “I’m afraid my disguise can’t handle close scrutiny.”
“I can have a quick shower first, then get dressed.”
She smiled, her heart pinching. She knew now that this kind of offer was merely a friendly one. Perhaps, it was Jaxon’s way of testing that she wasn’t mad at him for his earlier rejection. “I’d love your company,” she said lightly and without any hint of flirtation, “but I have to go now to interview a guy who could be my new bodyguard. Thanks anyway. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
She hurried out, tempted to glance back just to see if Jaxon was watching her. But she refrained. If she caught him looking her way, then she might get her hopes up again. Why would she subject herself to another emotional roller-coaster ride?
As she walked to Christine’s office, she did allow herself to think about the man with whom she’d felt an incredible connection from the moment they’d met. It was hard to explain, but it wasn’t mere physical chemistry. Around Jaxon, she simply felt free from the pressures of expectation or obligation.
That was rare. Even some of her old friends were prone to making such a big fuss about her superstardom that she felt she’d be disappointing them if she didn’t live up to the rosy image they had of her. But not Jaxon. He treated her like a “regular” person, which she appreciated so much.
But the romantic feelings were all one-sided. A friend was all she was to him. She had to settle for that, even if it left her heart bereft.
She arrived at Christine’s office, and the receptionist sent her a professional smile. “Good afternoon. May I help—Oh, Holly, it’s you!”
She laughed. “Yup. Obviously, my wig is still perfectly in place.”
“It’s just so different from your normal hair, and those glasses do make your face look a bit different. Anyway, Christine’s in the meeting room with Bryce Green. She said feel free to walk in. Do you want your usual lemongrass and ginger tea?”
“Yes, please,” she said, then went into the meeting room. “Hi, guys.”
Christine got up to greet her with a kiss on the cheek while the man simply stood and smiled.
Wow, she hadn’t expected Bryce Green to be much younger than her previous bodyguard. He was probably only about thirty or so.
“Holly, this is Bryce Green.”
Holly took Bryce’s proffered hand. He kind of reminded her of Jaxon—perhaps because they had the same muscular build and were both good-looking. Bryce didn’t make her heart skip, though. “Good to meet you, Bryce.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Stirling. I was reacquainting myself with Sydney and advised Mrs. Pan that I was around if she wanted to meet with me. I’m glad you’re here now too. I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions.”
Holly settled on a chair and motioned for Bryce to take a seat. “Why don’t we start with your experience and qualifications as a bodyguard?”
Bryce gave a detailed account of his previous work as one of the security officers employed to look after a group of private islands on the Whitsundays and elaborated on his bodyguard duties for the important people who’d stayed there.
She nodded, impressed. “So why did you leave that role for this job?”
“If you remember, there was a cyclone that hit the islands a few months ago. It affected a lot of the buildings, so not as many visitors can be accommodated until the works are finished. My job wasn’t stable anymore, so I started looking elsewhere. I applied for this position and fortunately got accepted. I’m also excited to be back in Sydney. I grew up here.”
“Which song of mine do you like best?”
Bryce turned red, and Holly bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. He wasn’t a fan, and she liked that. He needed the guy to be professional, not fawn on her like her very first bodyguard, whom she’d sacked after two months.
“I’m afraid I’m not into pop music, Miss Stirling. I’m more into heavy metal and rap.”
“That’s fine. So have you been fully briefed about what’s expected of you?”
“Yes. I’m used to being on call at all hours, so I don’t have a problem with that. I understand that my days off will be those times when you’re with family or other trusted people.”
“That’s right. You’ll know beforehand when I won’t be needing you so you can also make plans for your breaks. And just to be clear, I definitely won’t need a bodyguard when I’m at home since I have a very good alarm system there. All I expect is for you to be available to turn up for work within forty-five minutes of me calling.”
Bryce nodded. “I’ll try to be as unobtrusive as I can, Miss Stirling. I can only imagine that someone like you would want some normality every now and then, so I’ll stay in the background, unseen, unless I decide that’s not safe for you. I’ll do my best to keep you comfortable and happy, as long as we both understand that when your safety is threatened, I won’t care what you want. I’ll do what I have to do to keep you safe. But hopefully, those times would be few and far between.”
Holly glanced at Christine, who was nodding in approval.
Well, Holly was starting to like Bryce too. She couldn’t think of a reason why she shouldn’t hire him. And she bet her family would approve as well.
“Okay,” she said with a smile. “Let’s get the paperwork completed and you can start.”
“Excellent,” Christine said. “We can get that organised right now. I take it you can start straight away, Bryce?”
“Yes. I do already have plans for tonight, but I can cancel that if need be.”
“Please don’t,” Holly said. “Why don’t you start next week? I don’t have anything planned this week but to visit family and friends, and just chill out at home. Enjoy another week off before you start work again.”
“It’s no trouble starting straight away.”
“I insist,” she said with a smile. Truth was, she wanted to enjoy being a regular person, able to go anywhere she pleased without anyone spoiling her fun.
“Thank you, Miss Stirling,” Bryce said reluctantly. “But if you need me before next week, please let me know.”
“Just call me Holly. Actually, do you have plans right after this meeting? I’d like about half an hour of your time.”
“Of course.”
“I’d like you to meet my brother. He wanted to also interview you, but he was busy. Do you mind coming with me to his gym right now?”
“Sure, no problem.”
Holly waited until Christine completed the paperwork with Bryce, including a Non-Disclosure Agreement, then she and Bryce walked back to A to X Fitness.
“Hey, notice how no one’s bothering me?” she asked with a grin.
Bryce chuckled. “Well, it’s that blonde hair, no doubt. The glasses help too.”
“See how I don’t need a bodyguard when I’m not actually working or stepping out as a celeb?”
“Yes. So in cases like this, I can totally disappear in the background and you won’t even notice I’m around.”
“Or you can do other things. I’m happy to give you the time off.”
“Sure. We’ll see, okay? I might agree once I’ve assessed you really won’t need me.”
Holly smiled. She could tell she’d enjoy working with Bryce.
“Here we are,” she announced, walking into A to X Fitness. Her brows rose when she found Xavier standing outside his office, arms crossed and a forced smile on his face.
She hid a sigh. She bet Xavier would be guessing that the man with her was her new security guy. No doubt he’d be annoyed that she hadn’t sought his opinion as to Bryce’s suitability. Seriously, sometimes her brother was too cautious.
“Hey, Xave. I’d like you to meet my new bodyguard, Bryce Green. Bryce, this is my brother Xavier.”
Xavier shook Bryce’s hand. “Good to meet you, Bryce. I’d like to speak with you, but do you mind giving me and Holly a couple of minutes, please?”
Holly suppressed an eye roll and nodded at Bryce.
“Sure. I’ll wait here,” said her bodyguard.
She followed Xavier into his office, glancing around to look for Jaxon. But she couldn’t see him. Had he left?
“Hey,” Eve said, sitting in Xavier’s chair behind the desk.
Holly smiled. “Hey, can you tell your fiancé he’s being overbearing?”
Eve chuckled.
Xavier closed his office door as well as all the window blinds.
“I can feel an interrogation coming,” Holly joked.
“So you’ve hired him?” Xavier asked.
“Yes. I’m happy with his personality,” she said blithely as she sat on a chair.
“His personality isn’t the important thing, Hols.”
“I know. But Smith Security—one of the best around, as you well know—approves of him enough to hire him and assign him to me. I’ve already given my final tick of approval.”
Xavier let out a heavy breath.
“Come on. Why are you being so overprotective? There are no threats to my safety right now. In fact, I don’t see why I need a regular bodyguard when I can hire one during public events.”
Xavier sat in the chair next to hers and leaned forward, his elbows on his thighs. “Have you spoken to Anna Sanders lately?”
Holly frowned at the abrupt change in topic. “No. The last time I spoke to her was when the three of us had dinner with her and Bill two weeks ago. Why?”
“Eve and I tried to ring her earlier about the song she planned to sing during our reception. But we got Bill and…” Xavier ran a hand over his face.
Holly sat up straight. “What’s wrong?”
“She’s missing, Hols. The police are treating it as kidnapping, but they’re keeping it under wraps as they haven’t heard from anyone yet.”
Holly stared at her brother, her mouth hanging.
“And…” Xavier gulped. “Apparently, the police received an anonymous message that said Australian female celebrities will start disappearing if they don’t wake up to their sins.”
She shivered, the hairs on her arms standing. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Don’t know, but I don’t like the sounds of it. Bill said the police will probably contact you soon to make sure you’re aware of this threat since you’re one of the biggest stars around. Eve might be a target too since she’s a popular TV presenter.”
“I’m many rungs below Holly,” Eve said. “And I doubt I’m considered a celebrity.”
“I’m worried about the two of you,” Xavier insisted.
Holly gave the couple a wan smile, shock slowly gripping her. “Good thing I’ve got a new bodyguard, huh? Maybe you should hire one too,” she said to Eve.
Eve pointed her chin at her fiancé. “He’s gonna stick to me like glue and he’ll be better than a bodyguard. How about you stay with us while this is all happening? It’ll make us feel better, and we can have fun girls’ nights in as often as we want.”
“Thank you, but I’m sure I’ll be fine. I don’t want to be the third wheel for an indefinite period, and you guys would want your space. Besides, you know I’m loving my alone time. I’ve had ten gruelling months for my North American tour that I’m still recovering from. As for Bryce, he’s well qualified to protect someone like me.”
“But we know nothing about this Bryce Green,” Xavier said. “What if he’s not as good as he claims to be?”
“First, he wouldn’t have been employed by Smith Security if he’s not good enough. Second, and you might not know this, but Terry Smith himself has instructed his staff to always assign the best bodyguard they have for me.”
“Why?”
“Because his daughter Kate is my backup singer. I fought for Kate even though the recording company was insisting on using one of their own. Terry’s very grateful for that, and they really do treat me very well as a client.”
“Well, I’d still rather we check out other bodyguards.”
“Xave,” Holly said patiently. “Who are you gonna call when we’re already working with the top provider of security personnel? I am not going to insult them by insinuating they haven’t done their job properly. They’ve been bending backwards for me, sending those extra security personnel at the last minute when heaps more people turned up than expected for my recent TV appearances.”
Xavier opened his mouth to answer, but she was quick to interrupt.
“I’m working with Bryce. If he doesn’t live up to expectations, then of course I’ll have him replaced. But not right now. There’s no good reason to.”
It took a long moment before Xavier nodded reluctantly.
“I have to go to work,” Eve said, checking her watch. “Please think about staying with us, Hols. It’ll make us feel better.”
Holly gave Eve a goodbye hug. “Thanks. But I’m sure I’ll be fine with my new bodyguard. It’s Anna we should be thinking about. In fact, I want to call Bill right now to check up on him.”
Eve let out a sigh. Then she kissed Xavier, who announced he was going to walk Eve to her car.
Holly watched the couple leave the office and did a double take as she caught sight of Jaxon walking towards the Obstacle X room. Ah, he was still here, after all. But her usual excitement at seeing him was now coupled with resigned sadness.
She turned her back to the door and forced her attention away from him while she retrieved her phone from her bag. Her heart thudded as she rang Bill. She hoped that whoever had kidnapped Anna hadn’t hurt her.
Why was someone after celebrities? And what sins were they supposed to wake up to?
***End of Chapter Two***
Release day for Jaxon: The Assignment (Indie Rebels Book 2) is getting closer! Remember it's the 22nd of May. In the meantime, preorder the book today if you want to have it in your devices when you wake up on the 22nd.
Amazon.com | Other Amazon Stores | Apple iBooks| Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Google Play store link will be available on release date.
Do you have your copy of Xavier: The Contract (Indie Rebels Book 1) yet?
“Xavier gets a THRILLING BEYOND WORDS FIVE FULL SHOOTING STARS!” – Marie's Tempting Reads
“Another fabulous and suspenseful romance from the masterful pen of Miranda P. Charles.” – Lesley
Amazon.com | Other Amazon Stores | Apple iBooks | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Google Play
That's all for today! I'll be back on Jaxon's release day waving pompoms, lol!
Much love,
Miranda xo