[ON GOING] All Of Me 18+ Only (Book 3 of Lastor series) #Wattys2020

Chapter 20

Pressing my fingertips against the neck of the guitar, I picked at the strings, playing the passages I had written and testing out a series of arrangements. I listened intently as the amplifier boomed out each note, the vibrations making my skin tingle. It still didn't sound right and I kept shifting the intonation and the other elements, trying to find the perfect harmony of melody and rhythm.

I reached for the music sheet, writing down the corrections over the existing notations. I replayed the passage, keeping the elements and following the phrasing. It was still garbage.

Frustrated, I tore off the page and curled it into a ball before tossing it aside. There was a knock at the door and Leonardo stepped in after a beat. I straightened, looking at him expectantly.

"Mr. Hagen just reported," he said. "The additional security measures for Frederick and the rest of your dependents have been installed. Gordon and his team have implemented the amended protocols. Miss Johnson is also en route with Sawyer. ETA in 30."

"How's prep downstairs?"

"Everything's going accordingly. All teams are ready to move out on your go."

"What about Vermont?"

"They're still handling the supplies being sent over."

I nodded, taking the three yellow legal pads beside me and holding them out to him. He stepped forward, taking them. "I've labeled them. 1 is the strategy for the sub-ops. 2 are countermeasures for possible strategies Lord Robert's campaign might pursue. 3 are orders for the assets. Have Art send a copy of 1 and 2 to Lord Reiner. Disseminate 3 to all relevant individuals," I enumerated before bringing my attention back on the music sheet. "And bring me some more pads."

"Yes, Ma'am." He turned for the door but then turned back again. "Could I... ask a question?" he said hesitantly.

"Is an answer necessary?"

He paused, considering it. "Yes."

"Ask then."

"What's our role?" Confused, I looked at him with furrowed brows. "We haven't received notice of termination from Mr. Jenkins for our actions earlier and according to our protocol, we're not allowed to take part in internal conflicts."

"Ah." I nodded. "Slipped my mind." I scratched at my scalp with my pencil. "Since you're still under Ben's jurisdiction, you're required to withdraw from your assignment, yeah?"

"We don't want to."

I eyed him for a moment but saw no hint of hesitation in him. "If you get involved, your contracts will be automatically terminated and due to the terms of my agreement with the council, my authority over my security personnel is limited so I can't guarantee you'll be reinstated once this is over. Ben has the last say and he doesn't take kindly to insubordination."

"Understood."

I sighed, tapping my pencil against my guitar. "Sawyer's your commanding officer. Talk it out with him and then come back to me."

"We've briefed him. He's with us. He's waiting for you to give him an all-clear to submit our resignation."

I raised my brows at that. "I'm touched," I said, chuckling weakly. "Alright then... tell him to send it and then when they get here, talk to Kat about your contracts. You have liberty to make demands. Be sure to include posthumous requests."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"That all?"

He paused again, pursing his lips. "Would you like me to bring up some dinner for you?"