Alec nodded, sipping at the Midnight. "It goes without saying he’ll need to be a day-walker, and he’ll need to be male. I can't have the distractions of another female around, especially with Rissa. I can't afford to have the press see her pissed off over my bodyguard. Some of the events will be in the evening, but a lot of the campaigning is done during the day. I already have my campaign manager working on a schedule. He’ll run interference with the other masters; let them know where I'm going to be. Braden ran my Senate campaign. He knows what he's doing."
Shade took his seat once again. "I have a warrior in mind. Mateo, he has been with me a long time. He has long hair, but he can keep it pulled back, tall, damn good warrior. Has a good street sense, and he can handle anything that comes at him. He trained at Castello since he was a boy. He helped Marco quite a bit before I brought him to the States. He knows Hyde as well, and they both work well together. Do you need to meet him before I assign him? "
Alec shook his head. "I'm no judge of warriors. You know what I need, and I trust your judgment. We'll be on the road several days at a time. I'll be coming back home for brief periods, and the campaign will last a good eighteen months. Just make sure I have the same person for the duration, so they learn my schedule, how I operate, how I work the crowds. If Mateo is your choice, that's good with me. Although, if his hair is long, then I think he’ll have to cut it. This is a conservative party. He can always grow his hair back after I'm elected."
Shade sat back. “Mateo can cut his hair, he cleans up well. He will be informed he takes all direction from you, as does Hyde. Damn, eighteen months? I will be a padre again before this is over. You know I will have to take Kate back to Castello for the birth, but that won’t interfere with any of your plans. Everything will be in order while I am gone. Theo is over the Dead House, Raven is in California and Marcello is in charge at the camp. Mateo and Hyde can handle this, and if they need back-up, they have plenty of resources. Besides, I doubt Rissa would leave if I said Hyde couldn’t go along." Shade chuckled at the rib and emptied his glass of Midnight.
Alec grunted. "You’d have a hard time ever getting Hyde away from Rissa. I’m not blind to her devotion to him. Whatever works, brother. She’s happy with him, and they seem to get along, so let's not mess with that. As for Mateo, have him call my campaign manager, Braden. He has my full schedule, and Braden can give him all the information he needs. I'll need to get started within a week, so no time to lose."
Shade stood his full height and set the empty glass on the polished wood table beside the chair. "I will call Braden, get the schedule. I usually have complete instructions in a folder when I give my warriors an assignment. It’s how I operate. Everything they need to know for the assignment, and then there are no questions if something happens. They have written proof of what their objectives and obligations are. Hyde and Mateo will be ready when you are. Whenever you return back to D.C., let me know if you want Mateo to stay on duty with you, or whether he can return to Bel Rosso. Anything else you need?"
Alec stood and slapped Shade on the back. "I think that covers it, brother. Now, wish me luck that I can win the vote. Otherwise, all this was for nothing."
Shade looked at him and shook his head, laughing. "Your ass better win this, brother, I have a camp of young punks I’m whipping into shape to take on the White House. Get busy and do what you do best."
They fist bumped and Shade turned to leave the study. "No need to see me out, I can manage." As he walked to the front door, he stopped at the staircase and yelled loudly, knowing Rissa would hear him. "Have a lovely evening, Mrs. Canton."
As he headed for the door, he laughed like hell when he heard a shrill angry voice floating down the stairway. "Get out, you big mongrel!"
Shade shut the door behind him. "Bitch!"
41
Shade sat in his office having summoned Hyde and Mateo, two folders in front of him for the warriors who’d receive their assignment for Alec. This wasn’t going to be an easy assignment for either of them. Hyde was already in the thick of it and Shade was certain he knew what lay ahead, but for Mateo, this would be a different ball game. Mateo had been with Shade a long time, raised in the camp at Castello, and one of the best. He’d been in the States a few years now, and was no stranger to the culture. He’d been Marco's right hand man before he was assigned to Bel Rosso, but he’d soon be on the road with Alec and Rissa.
Shade heard the soft knock on the door and knew his two warriors had arrived for the meeting. "Enter."
Hyde strolled in first, dressed casually, and clean cut. Shade was amazed that Hyde had stuck it out this long as Rissa's personal protector. It took more patience than any man should have to endure to put up with that wicked bitch's antics and attitude, but Hyde and Rissa seemed to have formed a bond.
Mateo entered behind Hyde and closed the door. He took the leather chair beside Hyde positioned to face the large desk. Shade looked across the desk at both of them and almost laughed out loud at the differences between the two. Mateo was still in leathers, and a complete contrast to Hyde in every aspect. His dark brown hair was long, hanging well past his shoulders. His facial hair made him look even more intimidating, and his brows heavy over intense brown eyes. Shade had seen him clean shaven a few times, but he almost always sported some type of facial hair or at the very least, a five o'clock shadow. His 6'2” frame was muscular. He wasn’t meant to blend in with a crowd. There was no mistaking his presence, wherever he went. Mateo was the quiet type, but never misjudge his quiet demeanor.
Shade stood from behind the desk and went to the bar, pouring out three large tumblers of Midnight. "I don’t suppose my calling you here tonight is of any great surprise to either of you. I appreciate you coming and I won’t hold you up too long."
Handing the two warriors their drinks, he grabbed his own glass and returned to the desk. He pushed two large folders across to them, filled with details on everything they’d need to accomplish on this assignment. "Inside are the details. Senator Alec Canton and his wife, Rissa, are going on the campaign trail. Of course, they must appear as mortal at all times. He has made the announcement he will be running for President of the United States this coming election. With that being said, this is going to be a circus.”
Shade’s eyes went to Hyde. "Hyde, as Rissa's protector, your assignment doesn’t change. As always, you take all direction from Master Alec. Keep her out of Alec's hair as much as possible. We clear?"
Hyde knew this was coming and had been prepared. He knew this would be a challenge and he was ready for anything she could throw at him. Hyde could handle her. "Clear. Leave her to me, master. She responds to me well, most of the time."
Shade lit up a cigarette and nodded to Mateo. "Master Canton was very specific on what he wanted for his personal security, so I chose the warrior I thought would fit the bill. You are one of my best. Alec will be entering other masters’ territory and he has made all the arrangements, but I don’t have to tell you, none of them like him appearing as a mortal in such a public way. Our community feels he risks exposing us all by his antics to appear mortal. He expects no trouble, but if there is, you’ll know what to do.”