Cerberus

3. New Assignment

After making sure Lydia had safely made it up to the upper floors, he hustled into his room and closed the door. With a sigh, he sat down on the end of the outrageously large bed and put his head in his hands. This was not how he had anticipated things at all. He had been lucky to land this job in the first place. One of his commanders had known Brian Jacobs from his days in the Marines years ago and had recommended Kassidy highly to him. He was going to be extremely disappointed to find out that he had stuck his neck out for Kassidy just for him to screw it up on his first day. He had no idea how he could survive if he didn't make this job work, and going back to the military was no longer an option.
He had been sitting like that on the bed for sometime when a knock sounded at his door.
"Harris, boss is asking for you upstairs."  Isaac said through the door.
    This was it. Lydia had gone straight to her father to have him fired immediately. Lewis Jackman only had one child and he prized her over everything, especially after the death of his wife fourteen years ago.
    Kassidy stood up and pocketed his security badge. It was 9:30am when he stepped out the door and followed Isaac, stone faced, upstairs to Lewis Jackman's penthouse for the second time this morning.
    Osman wasn't waiting outside this time. As Isaac swiped his badge and the door opened, he found Osman and Jacobs both standing in the entry way waiting for him. He walked between them and they followed him to Jackman's office doors. He felt sweat forming in his palms as he reached up to knock on the doors.
    "Come in" Jackman said gruffly from inside. Kassidy turned the doorknob and swung the door to find Lydia sitting in one of the chairs placed before the desk, Jackman was seated adjacent from her on the other side.  She turned to look at him, nothing but self satisfaction glowing in her eyes. Osman followed him in while Jacobs took up position outside.
    "You've made quite the first impression on my daughter, Mr. Harris."  Jackman said as Kassidy waited, making respectful eye contact with him. "You've somehow managed to ruffle her feathers faster than any other man who's come through my office before."  Jackman lifted an eyebrow at him and Kassidy caught a glimpse of resemblance between father and daughter.
    "I spoke out of line, sir, I apologize and can have my things moved out within the hour." Kassidy spoke monotonously.
    Jackman let out a laugh. It was deep from his belly and he tipped his head back, eyes closed as he laughed. Lydia's head snapped to look at him, confused.
    "On the contrary, Mr. Harris, I believe you just gained yourself an assignment you hadn't even applied to."  Kassidy's confusion must have been blatant on his face, because Jackman continued with an explanation, "you see, my lovely daughter has a bad habit of running security off. She has her mother's bullheadedness. She either bullies them into doing her bidding or pushes them to their breaking point and they quit. You, however, gave her a taste of her own medicine. And for that, I commend you."  He clapped his hands loudly once.
    Lydia looked like she'd been slapped and her mouth hung open in disbelief. This was clearly not how she had been expecting this conversation to go.
    "Dad, I told you what he said, it was completely out of-," she was cut off as her father interrupted her.
    "Mr. Harris, I would like to assign to you to be my daughter's personal security detail. I've had Osman watching her primarily, as she hasn't been able to bully him yet, but when I go back to New York I'll need him and Brian with me. My daughter does not intend to accompany us, so I would like for you and Isaac to go with her to our house in Nevada."
    Kassidy was silent. He must have looked just as confused on the outside because Jackman went on, "I'm sure you realized after the fact that my daughter would come directly to me over this mornings debacle and demand you be fired, however, I have men with access to the buildings security footage. You watched her diligently and I can't entirely blame you for defending yourself when she confronted you unprovoked." He gave her a hard look then. "And you did come to me highly recommended. I trust that this task is something you are more than capable of undertaking."
    Kassidy found his words then, "Sir I-I was out of line. I never meant any disrespect."
    "Wonderful! So you'll take the assignment?" Jackman lifted his brow in question.
    Kassidy looked to Lydia. She was practically vibrating with anger. This was clearly not the treatment she was used to. Seeing her anger at not getting what she wanted somehow lit a flame of satisfaction in him and he met Lewis Jackman's eyes again as he said, "yes, sir, it would be a privilege. Thank you for the opportunity."
    "Splendid!" Jackman clapped his hands again. "You'll be leaving in the morning, Osman will take you to the airport first thing. Lydia, dear, I'll be sending word to your assistant to help you pack your things for Nevada."
    Lydia looked shocked before, but now she looked completely dumbfounded. "Tomorrow? Dad, I wasn't supposed to leave for Nevada until you left to New York in three weeks!"
    "Your recent behavior tells me it's time for a long rest, dear, away from the public eye.  I've already made most of the arrangements, however I was concerned for your safety. Mr. Harris has solved that problem for me.  Tomorrow you're going to Nevada."  Jackman said matter of factly.
    Lydia looked like she was on the brink of tears, her green eyes turning watery. Kassidy took that as a sign to go. "I'll be ready in the morning, sir"
    Osman opened the door for him, but didn't follow him out. Kassidy could hear Lydia starting to raise her voice as he made it out of the penthouse doors and walked past Isaac towards his room, where he quickly showered and began re-packing his things into his duffel bag. Tomorrow, he'd be heading to Nevada.