Our Bodyguard|18+

Sixty

Red

"You and Sophie, huh? What are you up to, Marlow?" I got to ask. But he smiles the same crooked smile I hate with all my guts while tapping his long fingers on the polished wood surface of the table as though he got no worries in the world. Sighing, I recline back in my chair and add, "You let your cards known by a civilian and that's not your style. Okay, I got a theory for that. Perhaps you've gone softie, and if not, then there's only one reason left."

The tapping stops.

"Which is?" Seated from across the mahogany table loaded with two empty cups and abandoned teapot seemingly cold by now, Marlow looks almost excited.

I lean back forward and ease my forearms on the table, interlocking my fists. "She cracked you."

Marlow booms into laughter. "Crack me? That's hilarious," he claims, but I don't see strong denial in his voice. "I allowed her to know what I needed her to know. The fact that I'm on the same team as you ain't a matter of federal secret no more, is it? And that her daughter was kidnapped by Kingston was just me being considerate." He pauses and thinks for a second with a shrug of his squire shoulders wrapped in a fine, black Armani before saying, "I wasn't gonna do any harm to her and you knew that."

Maybe. But I've known him long enough to see he's holding something back.

"And then what?" I need to understand his real deal with Sophie Diaz, whatever it is, for Mia's sake. "Suppose we're done with the X-File shit, which we technically are as long as we reach a common ground, what are you gonna do about her?"

"I like her," Marlow replies earnestly, all the joker expressions peeled off his face this time. I frown. "But that's all. I don't get to be you and your babymama, so I'll make sure you enjoy it to the fullest, kid. You and she are going to be free to fly to the moon just as I promised."

Is he shitting me? I sit straight.

"In case you forgot, I live by my own terms, Marlow. You don't get to be my shepherd or patron if that's what you think you are to me! You're not my father!" I snap, riled up by his barbaric insinuation. "And here's the thing." My voice hardens. "You get immunity for Kingston Pharmaceutical and Cora Mitchell and you get what you want. I don't give the fuck about the people you work for but I know the Feds are on my back and they get to keep the prize on those conditions alone. Do we have a deal or should I climb the ladder and get to them myself?"

"No!" Marlow bellows. "I'll make it happen so sit tight, Red!"

"That's what I thought." I let out a breath and rest my back.

After a long moment of silence, Marlow Seyfried asks, "Aren't you a wee bit curious to know why I chose you for this mission, Kid?"

I swallow tightly. Maybe I am, but I don't think it's any important right now.

To quit playing his mind games, I simply reply, "You needed someone you could trust because you don't trust anyone, Marlow. Not even the people you claim you work for."

"Right and wrong," he replies somberly. "Yes, I do trust you. But I only trust you because you're Hunter's son. I work for no one, Red, but I use everyone I can use. Inside that file, there's information I've been searching for years. Your father and I worked on it together. It's personal and by no means will I drag you into it and that's why I kept it a secret."

"Bullshit," I whisper under my raging breath.

"No, it's not and you're not obligated to accept it. You've done your part, kid, and your father would be so proud of you. Now let me do mine and maybe we can meet under the clear blue sky if fate allow us." He smiles again but it's melancholic this time.