The steady hum of an approaching vehicle broke the morning's silence. Aiden sat at the kitchen counter of his penthouse apartment, a steaming cup of black coffee in his hand. The open floor plan allowed sunlight to flood in, illuminating the pristine surfaces of his modern living space. He glanced at the clock—8:00 a.m. sharp.
"Right on time," he muttered, setting the cup down.
Evelyn had warned him that his new security detail would arrive this morning, but she'd given few details beyond the name. Lucas Reid. Aiden's imagination had conjured an image of a hulking, stone-faced man- someone who would bark orders and invade his space like an unwelcome storm.
The elevator dinged, and moments later, the doorbell rang. Aiden took a deep breath, trying to tamp down his irritation. He strode to the door and opened it.
Standing on the threshold was a man who broke every expectation Aiden had. Lucas Reid was tall, yes, but lean rather than bulky. His neatly trimmed beard framed a face that was both rugged and surprisingly approachable. He wore a tailored navy suit with a subtle tie, and his piercing blue eyes carried an intensity that was hard to ignore.
Mr. Carter," Lucas said in an even tone, with a hand held out. "Lucas Reid. I will be taking care of your security."
Aiden paused for a beat before shaking the extended hand. "Aiden Carter. I hope Evelyn filled you in?"
Lucas nodded. "She did. My team and I have reviewed the threats against you and your schedule. I'm here to keep you safe while keeping interference with your schedule to a minimum.
Aiden raised an eyebrow. “Minimizing disruption? Does that mean you’ll actually stay out of my way?”
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Lucas’s lips quirked in the faintest hint of a smile. “It means I’ll do my job efficiently. You’ll hardly know I’m here—unless it’s necessary.”
We'll see about that," Aiden said, stepping aside to let Lucas in. "I'm warning you now: I'm not going to change my life for this. My work is too important to put on hold.
Understood," Lucas replied, his voice professional. He looked at the apartment with a practiced eye, noting exits, vantage points, and potential vulnerabilities. "I'll want to do a walkthrough to get a sense of the security of the space. If you have any specific concerns, now's the time to share them.
Just make it quick," Aiden said, reaching for his coffee again. He watched as Lucas moved through the apartment with quiet efficiency. There was a precision to his movements that spoke of extensive training and experience.
Despite himself, Aiden felt a flicker of curiosity. Who was this man, really? And what kind of life had prepared him for a job like this?
Lucas returned to the kitchen after completing his assessment. “Your apartment is secure, but I’ll be making a few adjustments to enhance safety. Nothing that will interfere with your day-to-day.”
“Good,” Aiden said, though he wasn’t entirely sure he meant it. The idea of someone altering his carefully curated space rubbed him the wrong way.
Lucas's gaze softened a bit. "I know this is not ideal, Mr. Carter. But I want to make sure you can get back to your work without distractions from threats. Trust me to handle the rest.
Aiden regarded him for a moment. There was something about Lucas's composure, that air of unshakeable calm, that quiet confidence in him that made him want to believe the man. He gave a curt nod. "Fine. But let's get one thing straight: I call the shots. You're here because Evelyn forced my hand, not because I want you around."
Lucas didn't change expression. "Understood. I'll do my job. You can count on that.
The firm yet polite reply left Aiden momentarily speechless. He sipped his coffee, focusing instead on the view outside the window. The city sprawled below, a busy reminder of the empire he'd built. As Lucas started silently making plans, Aiden couldn't help but wonder if this stranger was really going to keep out of the way. Or was this stranger going to throw everything Aiden had worked for into chaos?