“I’m getting there. Recovery took some time, was put into an induced coma due to the kind of injury. I was shot. But post-traumatic stress, I’m a lot better than I was. I have an amazing, supportive girlfriend who is helping me. I was kept in a retreat for eight months, lots of therapy.” I let out a little laugh.
“Well, I am glad you are okay, and that you have the support. But if you ever need anything, you let me know, okay?” His eyes were sincere.
“Thank you, sir.” I bowed my head, looking at my linked fingers.
“Now, about the post,” he said, shifting in his seat slightly. “I need to up my personal security. Taron is due to go on paternity leave in a few months with his third baby, so I need someone to come on and take over from him, then stay on with us when he is back. Is that something you would be interested in?” he asked, his elbows now on the desk as he sat forward, pressing his fingers into his chin.
“Absolutely, yes,” I said enthusiastically.
“How is your commute?” he asked.
“We live in Cornwall, same as Robyn.” I nodded.
“Quite a commute then, would that bother you? I would need you here at eight in the morning,” he said a little more sternly this time.
“Well, I would probably look to move, be closer to work.” I smiled.
“Perfect. So, your hours would vary, depending on when I would need you. Normally, when I am at work, Taron and James,” Carter nodded over to both the men who smiled at me, “Go about their business. Weekends can be busy, but more so when it’s for events that I have to attend and if my wife, Freya, needs someone…” he trailed off looking at the picture of his family, smiling. “I’ll start you on two hundred a day, is that okay?”
I couldn’t believe my ears. Was that okay? It was more than okay.
“Of course, yes, thank you, Carter. Thank you so much,” I said, absolutely elated.
“Perfect, start next Monday. Come here for nine o’clock, I will be lenient for the first few weeks, give you a chance to get settled in with us. Then from there, it’ll be meeting at my home in Surrey, then you will be assigned your week’s tasks. Keep me posted on the move if you can, I do have two properties up for rent, if you would be interested. One is a penthouse, the other is a townhouse. Both vacant but fully furnished. Go home and speak to...” his voice trailed off.
“Darcey.”
“Darcey, pretty name. Like the famous ballet dancer.” He smiled. “Speak to Darcey then let me know on Monday what you wish to do in regards to the houses. No pressure, just trying to help you out.” He smiled, standing from his seat. I stood with him as he walked towards me, taking my hand in a vice like grip and shaking it, Taron and James coming over and shaking my hand, then the dark-haired guy patted me on the back.
“Welcome to the team, I’m Taron.” He smiled at me.
Carter opened the office door for me, then leant in. “Thank you, soldier, for everything you have done for this country, take care. Don’t forget, you ever need anything, I am here.” A small smile was on his face before seeing me out and closing the door behind him.
I let out the breath I didn’t know I had been holding, relief washing over me. I had done it. I got myself a job.
I handed my visitor pass back to reception and walked out onto the busy London streets, pulling my phone out my pocket and calling Darcey.
“Hey, baby,” I cooed down the phone at her.
“How did it go?” she asked, I could hear the apprehension in her voice.
“So well, I got the job. I start Monday.” I laughed as I pulled the phone away from my ear as she squealed.
“Happy?” I joked.
“Elated.”
“Me too, my little grunge, me too.”
“You coming home now?” she asked.
“Soon, just got to sort something out and I’ll be on my way. What time will you be finished at the studio?”
“About one, should be able to stay home for the rest of the week like I planned.” She sighed.
“That’s good, we can spend the whole week fucking,” I muttered, eyeing the people passing by as I darted my tongue out to lick my bottom lip. God, I would fuck her all day, every day, if I could. She was my drug, I was fucking addicted to her.
She was my kryptonite.
“Conor,” I heard her shocked toned as I burst out laughing. “I’ll be home soon, love you, baby girl.”
“Love you, king,” she said before cutting the phone off.
I slipped my phone in the inside pocket of my suit jacket before putting it back on and taking a walk, I didn’t know where the fuck I was going, but I was just going to walk and wait for Robyn.
I text Robyn, telling her to meet me at Tiffany’s. I had spent a while looking round and deciding what I was going to get her, I was ninety percent sure, but I just wanted Robyn’s opinion. It had just gone twelve-twenty when I saw Robyn walking towards me.
“Hey, get the job?” she asked.
“Smashed it, didn’t I?” I smirked, holding my hand up for a high-five.
“Yes! Knew you would. Welcome to the team. Carter is lovely, so lovely. And hot.” She sighed.
“Alright, Rob, I don’t want to fuck him.” I laughed out loud, bending slightly, holding my stomach.
“Piss off,” she scolded me as she marched towards the rings. I was still chuckling to myself as I followed her.
“I think I’ve found the one, but I want your opinion. Okay?” I asked, my eyes staring into hers.
“Okay,” she said as the sales assistant came over.
“Can you show my friend the ring, please?” I smiled at her.
“Certainly, sir,” she muttered as she unlocked the glass casing and pulled out the ring, holding it up under the bright lights to show Robyn the shine on the diamond.
“Mate, that’s stunning. It’s so Darcey.” She sighed as she stared at the stunning heart-shaped diamond I had picked out.
“Thought so.” I puffed my chest out, feeling proud. “Next question.” I side-eyed her. “Diamonds on the arms or just a plain band?”
“Plain, one hundred percent.” She nodded.
“Don’t even want to think about it?” I asked her.
‘Nope. Go for plain, trust me.”
“You sure?”
“So sure.” She nodded her head again. “I text you her ring size, you got it, yeah?”
“Yeah, an L?”
“Yup.”
“Perfect, have you got a two-carat in the heart stone, in a size L?” I asked the sales assistant.
“I will go check for you, take a seat, I won’t be long.” She smiled at me before putting the ring back in the cabinet, locking it and disappearing.
“That ring is stunning,” Robyn said, staring at the beautiful rings on show. “You a secret rich dude?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Ha. No, I wish. Just have savings, you know. Haven’t spent hardly anything for four years, it’s just been accumulating.” I shrugged. “She deserves this, I am so in love with her.”
“I know. You used to be such a dick though. God, she hated you.” Robyn scoffed, shaking her head lightly.