Lloyd and Soji walk in from the garage carrying huge plastic bags from Wal-Mart and Toys R Us. Tony follows dressed in slip-on shoes, casual slacks, a polo shirt and a leather jacket. He's carrying shopping bags as well. First time I've seen him in anything but a suit.

"Okay," says Lloyd, "We're ready for grandkids this weekend. Want to see what we bought, Jill?"

"No," I tell her, looking at Tony. He seems animated with a light in his eyes, as if he's happy. Realize we've never touched. I'm certain neither of us wants to, either. "Welcome to Reno, Tony. Where's your luggage?"

"We stowed it in the Cadillac. Lloyd says you leased a place for us as well. Thanks, Jill."

Nod. "Let's talk in my study until this kiddy storm dissipates. We'll eat in a while. You need a drink or anything?" When he shakes his head, I lead him into the study and close the door. Sit in my desk chair with my bare feet up on the seat. "First impressions?"

"Feels weird not packin'," he says, sitting in Lloyd's chair, "as if I'm not dressed without my suit, ID and firearm."

When he hikes an ankle atop a knee, notice he's wearing no socks. "Margaret has paperwork for your concealed-carry permits. Is Suli okay with this transition?"

"Actually, she is. Suli says half the people in Utah drive her crazy. She's also glad that I'm out of federal service."

Wonder which half. "Why?"

"She says the danger level is too high for the pay grade. With a job ready for her here in Reno, she's excited about moving."

"Good. Let Margaret know if either of you need anything. Now, do you want a pitch from me or do you want to ask questions?"

"Sum up my job in a sentence."

"As President and COO of Security, Intelligence and Audit'SIA, you establish and maintain aggressive operational security worldwide for me, my employees and my business."

"`Aggressive operational security,' I like that. I have initiative while fitting into the structure."

"You will develop and establish much of that structure," I tell him.

"Security brings up a lot of peripheral stuff. What about surveillance, telephone security, computer security, inside jobs, shit like that?"

Good question, I hope that shows up in Sara's audit. "Your primary focus is any threat to physical security, Tony. If some group is conducting surveillance, cracking the phones or hacking the computers to obtain business advantage, evaluate the threat and deal with it. Just don't forget your primary focus."

"Okay. Who provides physical security now?"

"Contract it out to the master at the dojo. Adequate, but informal."

Tony nods, looking at me. "Operational security is expensive."

"You will run SIA at a profit as everyone else does around here. Your CEO's name is Sara Toone. She'll show you how to run SIA at a profit by the end of the year." Pick up the org chart and hand it to him. Watch him look it over. When he looks up, I say, "You'll meet Sara before dinner."

His lack of response reveals his dislike of the org chart. "One of the first things I'll do is run deep background checks on everybody," he says.

"Yes." The more Tony learns, the less light I see in his eyes. The lizard is stirring. Wonder what will bring it out.

"Tell me about the chairman."

"You'll meet her in time. Her enemies call her a spider. Once you get to know her, you will be glad she is your boss and not your enemy."

He looks at me for a few seconds. "Figures you'd hire someone like her to run your empire. You know why I took this job, Price?"

"I kill everybody who fucks with me."

Tony grins and slaps his knee but the grin turns quickly to a frown. "That's right, and you respect ability. For instance, you brought in that guy Soji as your bodyguard. See, I respect that decision. One look at him and I know he will not hesitate."

"I recruited you for that same reason, Tony, but remember: this is a business. Revenue exceeds cost by a significant margin—the more significant, the better. Sara will show you how to operate in the black, but you make this business secure. By the way, Sara is twenty-four years old."

Tony closes his eyes.

I'm killing him. This is cracking me up inside but I remain serious.

"She'd better be the smartest devil-bitch on earth'after the spider." When I do not respond, he adds, "Okay, you have threats pending or you wouldn't have been so hot to hire me. What are they?"

Describe the situation with Mei's parents. Explain that I put two guys from the dojo in there yesterday before lunch and that Mei has reported the threat to the Reno PD. "You can talk to Don Locaccio about it tonight because he's coming over for dinner," I tell him.

"To talk about this?"

"No. I promised to fix his pickup because I owe him a favor." When he shrugs, I add, "And you get Alice Hawkins."

"What do you mean, I get her?"

"She's bored, being under house arrest for the rest of her life. She wants to make her self useful."

"Jesus, Price, the bitch tried to kill you." When I hold up my hands, he mutters, "Alice Fucking Hawkins. This is bullshit, Price."

Pursing my lips to keep from grinning, I tell him about yesterday's incident with Skinny Jon. Tony agrees that he can manage it through the police. "That's it on pending threats for now."

"Anything internal I should know about?"

"Two of my executives, both women, have been in an intimate relationship for the past five weeks without my knowledge. I'm having the whole outfit audited by an outside firm."

"Is this love or lust?"

"Love, I think," I say with a shrug. "Time will tell."

"Why didn't you just fire `em?"

"Pere is growing in revenue, net worth and profit. They're a big part of the reason."

"Hey, it's business," says Tony, raising his hands slightly. "I respect ability same as you. By the way, exactly how much am I protecting, Price?"

"As of last month, a couple hundred million. Ten years, it'll be twenty or thirty times that."

Tony's lips part slightly. He blinks and the light in his eyes is gone—the dead-eyed lizard is looking at me now. He seems to know I see it and doesn't care. Now we're discussing the real reason he took this job. Relaxing visibly, almost slouching, he says, "Tell me with absolute clarity how far I can go in protecting you, your employees and your assets."

Lean forward, my eyes on his. "Tony, right now, people are out there scheming to take my money, maybe kill my people. When you discover we're under attack, find them, follow them into their holes, slaughter them in their beds and hang their heads at the portals."

His face is a stone mask. His dark eyes are opaque and a vein in his neck beats slowly, steadily.

"For years, we've played a tune: deal straight up with us and we'll all get rich," I continue. "We've queued up enough deals to keep that rhythm going for decades. After dealing with Alphonse Guccione and his organization this past summer, I want a backbeat: fuck with us, you lose everything, including your life."

"I like that," whispers Tony. "The tune: deal with us and get rich. The backbeat: fuck with us and die."

"You lay down that backbeat."

After several seconds of silence, looking at me with those dead eyes, Tony says slowly, "Guess it takes one to know one, huh? You hunted those guys in the woods."

"You never questioned those kills, and you arranged that kidnapping."

He searches my eyes for a moment and says, "That brings up another security issue. You are direct and aggressive by nature, which means you place yourself at risk. You need someone to watch your back when you're out as well as at home."

"The Chairman has found someone: good at hand-to-hand and blade work, doesn't smoke or drink, blends into any group. She set it up so I can win her long-term loyalty, Tony. I can recruit her in three weeks."

Tony sits there gazing at me for some time as I wait him out, returning his gaze. Finally, he shrugs and says, "I have doubts about whether this reporting arrangement will work."

Glancing at my watch, I say, "It's after five. Sara should be here."

As we stand, Tony shifts to block me. He whispers, "Jill, if either of these bitches suddenly grows a conscience, I'll move through her like she's not there."

Feel the slow smile on my lips as my I move by him. Open the study door and step into the hall. Catch Lloyd's eye and point at Sara, who is examining toys with Soji. When I turn and look at Tony, our eyes lock for a moment. His eyes are sparkling again. The lizard is back under a rock for the moment, waiting. Stepping inside the office, I turn slightly as Sara enters and introduce them.

Sara walks right up to Tony and says, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. George."

Tony recovers from his initial shock—a sharp intake of breath and a slight widening of the eyes—in a split second. "The pleasure is mine, boss. Call me Tony."

"Please call me Sara. Being your boss depends upon whether I survive your background check, doesn't it, Tony?"

"That's right. Thorough background checks on everybody."

"I like that," she says. "What I'd like from you, Tony, is a rough plan for profitable operation."

Tony grins. "From a federal employee of twenty-four years? You'll have it once I get the lay of the land, say Monday."

"Tomorrow is your first time in the office. Would you like Lloyd and me to pick you up in the morning?"

"Thank you. Swing by my place and I'll follow you."

"Will do," says Sara. Turning to me, she asks, "Anything for the SIA executive team, Jill?"

Just like that: one look and they're a team. "Yes. Let's go out to the sunroom." Pick up the org chart and lead the way. "Either of you want something before dinner?"

Tony and Sara each grab a beer and I take water. Ask Lloyd and Soji to let me know when Don arrives. They ignore me as they giggle over toys and stuff.

Once we're sitting in the sunroom with the door closed, I hand Sara the org chart. As she looks at it, I begin speaking, "Priorities. Number one, profitable operation and if you're not profitable, I fire your ass. Number two, security, intelligence and audit. From a project perspective, quality is over all and budget is over schedule."

"I assume your Chairwoman has personal bodyguards," says Tony. When I nod, he says, "Let's assign a driver and bodyguard for Sara and Lloyd, also for Le and Chen Mei, beginning tomorrow."

"Thank you," whispers Sara to Tony as I wave at Soji through the glass and across the room. Sara asks, "What about Jill?" When Tony opens his hand toward me, I tell her, "I prefer a personal bodyguard loyal to me, Sara. The Chairwoman is setting up the recruitment as a relationship."

Sara looks at me for a good five count, glances at Tony and asks, "How do you do that?"

"Depends upon the candidate and the circumstances," says Tony. "It's like arranging a marriage." When Sara raises her eyebrows, Tony adds, "I'll loop you in on details if you're interested."

"I am."

Soji opens the glass door.

"Soji, can you arrange a female bodyguard for Leanne and Mei, please?"

"Easier and cheaper if they move in together," he says.

"I'll mention that to them, Soji," I tell him. "Please assign a driver and a bodyguard for Lloyd and Sara each day too."

"Good," he says and closes the door.

"I love that guy," says Tony. "I want ten of him."

"Spend time with him," I suggest. "He is connected up the ass back in Japan."

"You should call Le and Mei," says Sara. "Do you have a separate phone line, Jill?"

"Four," I tell her, "One data and three voice. Lift the speakerphone off the wall by the hot tub and drag it over here. It has a twenty-five foot cord." As Sara glides over there, I watch her ass for a moment'God . . . damn—and then look at Tony. His eyes move to mine. Ask, "What will you do about the threat against Mei's parents?"

"Arrange a wire through Reno PD detective squad," says Tony. "Give the PD material cause to arrest them for attempted felony extortion." Pausing, he adds, "After they talk, we'll send a team in after the people who sent them."

"To do what?"

"Chop, chop," he says, his eyes leveled at mine.

His casual reference to bloody violence at close quarters sends a thrill through my gut that is nearly sexual in force and effect. Feel my nipples tighten, my thighs relax and my mouth opens slightly so I can pull more air into my suddenly oxygen-starved body. Tony studies my reaction as I look into his eyes.

Sara is standing beside the table, holding the phone and staring at me. "What happened?" she asks.

Say nothing because I cannot. I'm still staring at Tony, pulling myself back from near-sexual ecstasy.

Tony, a slight smile on his face, looks up at her and recounts our brief exchange of words.

Sit up and take a sip of water. Finally, I look up at her. Sara looks at me for a moment, glances at Tony and then sets the phone on the table and punches in a number. "They were still in their offices when I left." When Le does not answer, she dials Mei's number and hands the receiver to me.

"Speaker," I murmur, still unable to move. When she punches the button for the speaker and sets the receiver down, I say,

"Hi Mei, Jill. Is Le with you?"

"Hey, boss. Yes, she is."

"Put us on speaker."

After a pause, Mei says, "Go ahead, Jill."

"I'm here with Tony George, the new security operations chief, who is sending over a bodyguard for both of you right now."

Le says, "Hi, Jill. Is round-the-clock protection really necessary?"

"Yes, it is. You are both in fiduciary positions and therefore vulnerable, Le, so get used to security. I will."

"It seems like a lot of expense and bother. They attacked you, Jill, not us," says Le.

Tony leans forward. "Hi, Le. This is Tony. I'll meet you at the office tomorrow."

"Hello, Tony. I just don't see the justification."

"My immediate concern grows out of the threat to Mei's parents and their business," says Tony. "Asian gangs typically make their attacks personal and convincing. Upon occasion, they make pre-emptive attacks. If they've been watching you, Mei, then they have seen you two together. That's all the information they need to try and make an impression on you and your parents."

"Are my parents in danger right now, Tony?" asks Mei.

"No. The gang doesn't want to threaten the source of income until your parents deny them payments. By then, we'll be ready for them."

"Is it better just to pay them off?"

"Initially, yes."

No one says anything for a few seconds. Tony stretches and blinks slowly, like a goddamn monitor lizard in the sun.

"You're not going to tell me how you intend to handle this, are you, Tony?" asks Mei.

"Both of you need to accept security as an everyday part of your lives now. You two have made this business grow. From what Jill tells me, you're about to make it grow by many more times in the coming years. Money makes predators come a-runnin', but attacks are business decisions," says Tony. "We'll limit their opportunities, and then make exploiting those opportunities ridiculously expensive. By that time, I want everyone trained and confident about how to recognize attacks and how to react."

"I won't ask how you intend to do all that," says Mei.

"Hopefully, they'll decide it's just not worth it," says Le.

Tony says, "That's the idea."

"We're glad you're on our side, Tony. Welcome aboard," says Le.

"Thank you," he says, his eyes on Sara almost closed, his lean body relaxed.

We say good night and disconnect. Sara looks at him with a slight smile.

Tony opens his eyelids slowly, regarding her. Glancing at me, Tony returns his gaze to Sara and asks, "Gobbling up attackers' resources counts as SIA revenue, right?"

A slow smile creeps across Sara's face. Seeing Sara smile is so rewarding, it makes me want to crack wise all day. She says, "When I finish reporting this audit to Jill, I'll show you the essentials and relevant details of revenue-flow analysis."

"Fine," he says. Still looking at her, he asks, "What's your story, Sara?"

She recounts the same speech she gave me this morning. "I will quit and go to work for Jill when I finish this audit," she says.

"You've left out a lot," says Tony.

"Why do you say that?"

"You are way too smart and aggressive just to get a degree and go to work. Besides, you have a gap of several months between graduation and work."

Sara grins, which I believe is an attempt to avoid questions like this.

Tony says, "Before you try blowing smoke up my ass, Sara, recall that I've been reading people for twenty-four years. Your act isn't fooling anyone here."

"There's really nothing to discuss," says Sara, beaming her most convincing smile at us. "I spent a few months checking out doctoral research programs before I decided to take a job and pay my bills."

"Mm-hmm," murmurs Tony. "Bullshit, Sara. You have something running somewhere." He glances at me, but when he gets nothing from me but a slow blink, his gaze returns to Sara. Tony says, "Convince the Board Chair that your secret does not create a threat. When she tells me to accept your word, I will, but I'm still going to dig. Deal?"

"Deal."

We sit quietly for a while before Tony says, "Question for you, Jill. You built up several multi-million dollar corporations before age thirty-five. Yet you work at a little casino so you can keep a low profile and appear normal. Why isn't running your own successful corporation rewarding and enjoyable enough for you?"

Sara stares at Tony and then turns to look at me, waiting.

Look at them and, in my mind, I slowly say, `Why build a fortune and then wait in hiding nearby? In hopes people will try to take it, so I can hunt them down and kill them. That's why.' Aloud, I say, "At Doc's Place, I strive every day where mediocre and incompetent performance is rewarded."

Sara rolls her eyes at the ceiling. "I worked at a place like that," she says.

"So did I," says Tony. "Do the executives over there like you?"

"A few do. Most consider me a threat."

Sara turns to me, her eyes questioning, angry. "I've worked one day at your corporation. It's the cleanest, most refreshing workday of my life. You created that environment, Jill, you. Yet you cannot work there. You choose to shovel shit for incompetent assholes. Why?"

"Working at Pere is not real for me. I cannot live in a world of business royalty, insulated from assholes."

"I don't buy it," says Tony.

"Neither do I," says Sara.

"Look, I'm a natural athlete, but I don't compete at a professional level," I tell them as I see Lloyd hang up the phone and approach the sunroom door. "I'm an entrepreneur, but I don't run businesses."

They look at me, unsatisfied.

Lloyd opens the door and says, "Jill, Don is coming up. I opened the garage door so he can park inside. Everyone, dinner is served."

Later, after dinner, Tony pauses long enough to whisper, "Sara and I will work out fine." See them shake hands before he leaves and I realize once more that Tony and I have never touched. Lloyd and one of the guards take the Buick to guide Tony to his place.

Don and I go through his pickup, listing parts I need to fix it up and then he leaves, promising to return on Sunday afternoon. Leave the list for Lloyd to pick up at the parts stores tomorrow.

Sara and I discuss her initial findings. Her audit team arrives tomorrow. Everything appears proper and up to date so far, so she is looking for holes. She has already arranged for Lloyd to pick up her team at the airport. She expects to send the team back Friday morning and finish the report for me that afternoon. Sara goes to bed.

After giving me a massage, a wash and rinse, Soji puts me into the hot tub to soak. He tells me that he and Lloyd have begun sleeping together. All I have strength to give him is a smile. He winks and says good night.

A few minutes later, Lloyd comes in, turns off all the lights in the house and joins Soji in bed, I assume.

The house is silent and dark. The glass ceiling of the sunroom is dripping with condensation but a few stars are visible. Close my eyes and enjoy the heated water against my skin. The water stirs slightly. I am too relaxed to open my eyes.

A few minutes later, her lips touch mine, smiling through kisses in the dark. After a while, we towel off, pad silently through the house and slip into bed together. Later, I fall asleep at her breast.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License