His Keeper

Chapter 11

“Hey, Mom, is it okay if we use your office to take this call?” Nate’s mom nods her head and replies, “Of course, dear.”

Once the door is shut behind Nate, Jeff, and Adrian, Nate asks Mr. Brown “what’s going on, Sir?”

Mr. Brown clears his throat and gets straight to the point, “I just got off a conference call with the president of Alpha entertainment and Amara’s head of security team. They informed me that there has been a death threat made against Amara’s life. Unfortunately, rather than canceling the concert, Amara has moved up her time of arrival here to tonight. More precisely an hour from now. So, Nate I need you to pick her up at the airport while Jeff and Abram secure the hotel and await her arrival.”

Nate, Jeff and Adrian look at each other and nod, while Nate replies, “Okay, lets rock and roll.”

Nate, Jeff, and Adrian head on out of the office and are immediately surrounded by their family.

Isabel responds quickly, “What’s wrong?”

Jeff walks over to Isabel, wraps his arm around her and replies, “Looks like we have to head in to work, love.”

Jasmine looks over at Nate, gives him a hug, and tells them all, “Well, you boys better be safe.”

After the round of hugs and goodbyes, Jeff and Adrian head to Jeff’s car while Nate pulls out his keys and makes his way to his new black, GMC Hummer truck. 

Adrian yells over at Nate, “Be safe brother, Jeff and I will see you at the hotel.”

Jeff chimes in, “We’ll even have an energy drink waiting for you.”

Nate heads on over to his apartment and changes into some slim black slacks and an open collar metallic gray long sleeved button up shirt. He heads on over to his gun safe and pulls out his FN 5.7 handgun along with four magazines. He locks and loads his weapon and makes sure the safety is on. While making his way to their company warehouse, he receives a text message from Jeff letting him know that they made it to the hotel and are proceeding with doing a full sweep of the building.  Nate hops into the newest company Chevy Tahoe and receives another text message. This time from Mr. Brown, telling him which plane hangar Amara’s plane would be arriving at and to stay safe.

            While Nate was driving to the airport, I could tell that the conversation he had with his mom weighed heavily on his mind. With the anniversary of Stacey’s passing approaching, he knew deep down everything his mom told him was right. He thought to himself, maybe it was time to fully say good bye, and let her go. But the pain still remained despite his attempts to move on which was the reason why he kept himself busy. The job was what kept him going, but maybe it was time he took a vacation. Yep, that’s what he was going to do right after he completed this job.  

Nate pulls up into the airport and drives over to hanger 7. He gets out of the SUV, does a perimeter check of the hanger and determines that the area is secure and clear.  He takes out his phone and looks at several messages. One was from Jeff telling him the hotel was secure and ready for their arrival. Another message was from his mother telling him she loves him and to be safe.             

            Nate receives a phone call from Amara’s head of security. “Hi, this is Sam, is this Nate?”

Nate replies “Yes, Sir, this is Nate.”

Sam responds, “We are landing right now and will be making our way towards hangar 7. Are you there?”

Again, Nate replies, “Yes sir, I am here, waiting for you both.”

Sam replies, “Great, we will see you in five minutes. Take care, Bye.”

Nate texted the pack telling them that she has arrived, and will be En route to the hotel in 30 minutes via Route A.  

The plane slowly taxis towards the hanger and comes to an abrupt stop in front of Nate. The driver of the tug pulls the plane into the hanger and rather than leave he hangs with curious eyes. Nate kindly tells him, “You may leave and return once I have secured the passengers.”

The driver looks at Nate sheepishly and says, “Sadly, I can’t until the plane has been put away.”

Nate responds firmly, “I have already spoken with your supervisor and he ensured me that my client would be afforded privacy and discretion.”

The driver raises his hands in surrender and quickly exits the hanger.  Nate nods to the pilot from where he is standing, giving him the sign of all clear. Amara’s head of security, Sam, steps out of the plane. He is dressed in a formal, sleek, all black suit with a silver tie. He walks to Nate with confident and determined steps, extends his hand in formality, and states, “Nate, it is a privilege to meet you, sir.”

Nate extends his hand and shakes his hand. He immediately feels a weird, surge of energy pass through their hands and shoot up his arm. Nate chuckles and says, “Well, that is one electrifying grip you have there, Sam.”

Sam chuckles softly and replies, “Just wait until you meet the lady. She is electrifying herself!”

Nate looks towards the plane and stares right into the most exotic shaped pair of mocha colored eyes. She stood 5 feet 6 inches tall with shiny black hair highlighted with streaks of red. Her light brown skin glowed. She had natural pink lips and an hour glass body frame. She was absolutely breathtaking.  But the way she looked at Nate sparked a fire within him that sent sensations throughout every part of his body. Sensations that he had never felt before and that left him speechless. As she walked down the steps of the plane, Sam and Nate made their way to the bottom of the stairs. Nate reached out his hand to help her down the final steps.

Amara silkily responds, “Such a gentlemen, and even more handsome then the picture I have seen of you,” then winks at him.

Nate lets out a nervous laugh and says, “um, I beg your pardon.” Nate then turns to Sam who replies, “Didn’t you know, she handpicked you to be her personal escort and detail.”

Nate responds, “Well, I am honored.”

Sam and Nate load up Amara’s baggage into the SUV. They all get into the car and proceed to head on over to the hotel. Nate had requested that Amara sit in the back-passenger seat. While on the drive over to the hotel, they held light conversation about the weather and the LA highlights. Sam became quiet and took the time to look at the LA skyline.

Amara asks Nate, “So Nate, tell me about yourself, since we will be spending a lot of time together during my stay in LA. I would like to know more about the man who will be protecting me and staying with me in my penthouse.”

Nate replies, “Well, I am a military vet. I have had the privilege of seeing the world and defend our country. I have never been married. I don’t have any kids and I pretty much work a lot. So, I don’t really get out much.”

Amara quietly responds, “Well, I guess we are going to have to change that last part then, huh?”

Sam pipes in, “Hey, how is the food at the hotel cause I’m getting pretty hungry and could go for a good burger?”

Amara then speaks up as well, “If it’s okay with you Nate, could we stop for something to eat cause now Sam’s idea of a burger sounds, super bomb, right now.”

Nate looks at the clock, and then tells them, “Let me call my team to let them know we are making a drive thru run and will be 20 minutes late.”

Nate calls Jeff and lets him know that Amara and Sam are hungry so they will drive through their favorite Burger place, so it wouldn’t take too long.  Nate takes them to his favorite hole in the wall spot, “Mom’s Burgers.”

Once they arrive, Amara asks, “So Nate, what is the best burger they have here?”

Nate smiles and replies, “Well, my favorite here is the fully loaded which has bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, onion rings, and smoked gouda cheese melted on the patty, which is a blend of ground tri tip, brisket and pork fat.  

Sam and Amara look at each other with glazed over eyes. Amara responds, “Damn, we are so in, but please don’t judge me for eating all that. I know I’ll have to work out twice as hard, but this will so be worth it.” She adds, “Are you getting anything, my treat.”

Nate shakes his head and says, “No, thank you. I already ate.”

            After ordering and getting their food, they make their way to the hotel. Nate drives to an underground entrance specifically designated for V.I.P guests. Brandon, Johnny, and Stephen are waiting for them. Sam is the first to jump out of the SUV and greets the pack with a nod. Brandon opens the door and extends his hand out to Amara so she could exit the vehicle. Amara places her hand in his and replies, “Thank you, Hun.”

The group makes their way to the evaluator with Amara’s bags in tow. As they make their way up to the penthouse suite, Nate receives a call from Adrian. “Nate, Jeff had to leave. Isabel is having contractions which are too soon so they are rushing her to the hospital. I told him to go be with his wife and keep us updated.”

As the elevator doors swing open to the penthouse suite, they are greeted by Adrian. Nate hangs up the phone. Amara and Sam exit the elevator while Nate turns to Brandon, Johnny and Stephen and says, “Hey guys, could you get Amara situated in her room? I’ll catch up with you all in a minute?”

Johnny responds, “No problem, brother, take your time. We know what’s up?” As the pack escorts Amara and Sam to her penthouse, Amara asks them, “Everything okay?” Stephen reassures her and says, “Yep, everything is good.”

Nate steps back into the elevator and Abram joins him. After the doors swing close, Nate looks over at Adrian and says, “Brother, what is going on?”

Adrian replies, “I called Julie and she was telling me it might be Braxton Hicks contractions because she is going on 9 months tomorrow. They decided to take her to the hospital and will keep us updated.”

Nate nods his head and says, “Okay, I’ll pray for her, but I only need one of you guys with me tonight. Sam is with her so we won’t need all of us to be here. So, we can split the shifts. We can have half the guys stay and the rest take off.”

Adrian replies “Brother, it’s you and me tonight, I’m not leaving you. We can have Vincent and Brandon stay with Amara for a few hours tomorrow morning so that you can get some rest yourself. We can also visit Isabel and Jeff in the morning.”

The elevator door dings open and Nate pushes the button to go back up to the penthouse floor. Nate rubs his hand through his hair. “Alright, I am good with this plan.” As the elevator door opens to the penthouse, they both walk into the penthouse suite.

Amara greets them and asks, “So, any news about your sister and sister in law?”

Adrian replies, “No, ma’am not at this time but we will get updates.”

Amara looks at Abram and tells him, “Please don’t call me ma’am, it makes me feel old and I’m still pretty young, sir.”

Everyone laughs a little to ease the tension. Nate tells Vincent, Brandon, Johnny and Stephen that they got it until the next shift and dismisses them. As each pack member takes their leave, Nate and Adrian tells them to have a good night and will see them back at 0500 hours.