14 Chapter 14

Daniel's eyes traced over Claudia's face with cool, professional interest. She was attempting to keep the bruised left side away from King's vision and tilt her head in a way that would swing her blond hair forward to cover the swelling. She sat curled up on the couch, enveloped in a thick blanket where she had clearly been tucked for safe keeping. Her billionaire boyfriend was currently pacing around her like a caged tiger in need of fresh prey.

Each darkening bruise brought a fresh wave of rage crashing over the giant man. The juxtaposition between the two men was not lost on Daniel. Daniel Mercer was not controlled by rage and fire, but ruled himself with rigid control and icy deliberation. It was part of the reason they made such an effective team. Tyson built his empire with cunning and power, while Daniel protected their assets with icy, ruthless skill. He never failed.

Until yesterday. When Claudia had nearly been lost. If Tyson King had lost his queen, the empire would have crumbled under his rage and despair. Mercer had failed.

"You have my resignation," Daniel said quietly.

King's head snapped up. Confusion clouded his eyes for a split second before he understood. His eyes drilled into Daniel's until Daniel understood without words that King bore him no ill will. It still pissed Daniel off to no end that someone got past his supposedly impenetrable defences.

"I was the one that insisted the building have a way in for emergencies. You argued against it," King said gruffly. "We couldn't've known they would get to Spencer's family."

Daniel nodded shortly. King was referring to Oscar Spencer, the now deceased concierge of King Tower. He had been carefully vetted by Daniel and had come with impeccable references. The man had been untouchable. Except for his family. All of which were now dead at the hands of Dante Marquez with the backing of Franco Delgado and his men. Oscar had gotten Dante onto the penthouse floor where Claudia's Cuban ex-boyfriend had been able to confront her without her usual armed escort.

"If you don't intend to accept my resignation then I've outlined several new security measures that will prevent future leaks in the system," Daniel said.

King nodded his agreement. "You have my go ahead for all of them except Claudia's personal detail. She wants to choose her own personal bodyguard and would prefer a woman, if possible."

Daniel's eyes went to Claudia, searching out the bruises on her pale skin. She ducked her head and crossed her arms over her chest protectively. Daniel shook his head. "No, I hire all security and I don't want any women."

Claudia's head snapped up and a sound of protest passed her lips. King placed a large, gentle hand on her shoulder soothingly. She glared at Daniel but he ignored her. It was her spoiled pain in the ass that got him shot at anyway. He really didn't care what she wanted.

King considered his words before he spoke in a deep firm voice. "Claudia needs someone she can trust. This might come as a surprise to you Mercer, but after yesterday she trusts you."

Daniel was surprised. He had no idea Claudia was that stupid, with such a poorly honed sense of self preservation. He nodded slightly.

Claudia looked up at King and touched his hand before speaking to Daniel directly. Her voice was hoarse from either crying or strangulation, or both. King tensed in anger at the sound. "Daniel, I appreciate what you did for me yesterday. I know you did it for Tyson, but you saved my life. I think if you could follow me around forever I would feel utterly safe for the rest of my life."

Daniel continued to stare at her without changing expression.

She seemed to be waiting for some kind of response from him. When she didn't receive anything she continued, her voice hesitant. "I know you can't babysit me every second of the day, not when your main job is to secure Tyson and his holdings. It would be far easier on you and his peace of mind if I had my own bodyguard."

Daniel nodded. "I don't have a problem with you having your own security personnel, Ms. Cantore."

Claudia rolled her eyes. "Just with my bodyguard being a woman."

Daniel didn't say anything.

Claudia made a sound through her nose halfway between a snort and a huff if he had to guess. He hoped it hurt. "This is the twenty-first century, Daniel. Women are capable of doing anything a man can do."

Daniel looked her in the eye and said in his deadly quiet voice, "Never met a woman capable of taking me down."

Claudia shivered and something like terror flashed through her eyes. Daniel tried to feel bad that he made her feel fear so closely after her terrible ordeal, but he needed her to step away from his space. Security was his area of expertise and he was good at what he did. He was sure she was good at sucking cock. He didn't need her using her skills to push King into making a bad decision.

"Okaaay," she said. Beyond her obvious beauty, Daniel wondered what his boss saw in the woman. If he were forced to put up with her in his bed, he would likely end up murdering her. "Do you know of any men that are capable of taking you down?"

She had a point there. Daniel had yet to meet the person, man or woman, that could take him down in hand-to-hand combat. He simply looked at Claudia and waited for her to eventually make a point.

Her jaw was set in a mutinous line that Daniel was certain didn't bode well for King's future happiness. "What if I need my bodyguard to go pick up some tampons?" she snapped.

"Then he'll be a professional and pick up tampons," Daniel said without missing a beat.

She snorted. "Fine. Then what if I need an escort into a women's washroom when I'm out shopping? It would be safer to have an actual woman with me. I heard a story from my friend Anya about her friend Shania who took off on her male bodyguard by using the women's washroom."

Daniel had not heard about about that piece of gossip. Next time he saw Asher Bowles, he would have to give him a hard time about how the supposedly sweet and submissive Shania Mahdavi got the drop on him.

Claudia continued. "What about when I'm changing in a change room? Again, a female bodyguard could be a lot closer to my actual body for the guarding part. Not to mention it would look a lot less conspicuous for me to be out and about with another woman than being trailed about all day by some guy who looked bored out of his mind."

Claudia actually had some valid points that Daniel hadn't considered. He'd never been responsible for the care of a woman before and it did make sense to have a woman on staff for her convenience, now that she was outlining some of the more delicate variables. He could have done without her customary attitude while she made her argument though.

Daniel's mind went to Addison and the ways in which he would punish her if she dared to use her sharp mind and tongue against him the way Claudia used hers. He almost hoped the lovely brunette would try. The sadist in him revelled in the chance to bring his new toy to heel.

He nodded shortly. "I'll consider it."

He didn't bother looking to King for acknowledgment – he would bow to Daniel's expertise. Daniel had always had free run of the King's security. Occasionally, there would be requests, but he rarely strayed into Daniel's territory. It was an unspoken rule that neither man crossed. Probably because King knew he would lose the best head of security money could buy if he ever started making decisions for himself.

Daniel turned to leave. He would check in with his men and then go seek out Addison Sterling. He'd received a text earlier letting him know she'd left the security floor alone. It was time to clip his bird's wings.