Gerome didn’t go to sleep after Luis said goodnight and vanished into his room. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket to call someone he should have contacted a while ago. If he read the signs right, the man would be happy to work closer to Munich.
He found the right number in his phone book, and after a couple of rings, D’s deep voice came over the speaker. “Yeah, what’s up, man?”
“Is that the way to answer your phone?” Gerome laughed.
“I knew it was you. I could have answered differently, but why should I?”
“You’ve got a point, man.” Gerome chuckled. Leave it to the tracker to point out the obvious.
“How are you? And where are you right now?” he asked.
“In Berlin right now, and good, thanks.”
“Any idea how long you’ll be there?”
“Why do you ask? I’m wrapping things up here, so I should be back in Munich tomorrow or so. I’m not sure yet. I have a meeting tomorrow with my client, and then I’ll head back.”
Hoping D would be up for his proposal, Gerome leaned back in his chair. “I need a bodyguard for Luis. He’s rightfully annoyed he can’t go anywhere alone, and I don’t want to burden him with me all the time. I want him to be able to go wherever he wants to without waiting for me to make the time. Also, I don’t think he likes me that much, so... what do you say?”
“Wait. You want me to be Luis’ bodyguard?” D asked, disbelief lacing his voice.
“Yes. It’d be more or less regular hours. I’ll be able to go with him if he wants to go out in the evenings, but he wants to go shopping, get a driver’s license, and things like that.”
“Wow. I certainly never expected this. Thank you.”
“You know I trust you, and I figured you might be interested in staying a little closer to Munich and not have to go dark and silent for days.” If Gerome understood the tone of D’s voice right, it sounded like he’d be up for the job.
“Yeah, I guess so. Not that it would help anything, but I’d really like to stop traveling so much.” D’s voice carried a wistful note.
“Call me when you’re back from Berlin, then you can meet Luis. If you two get along, then we can talk about the pay, the hours, and your duties. I don’t want to choose someone for him, which means he has to give his okay.”
“That makes sense. I’ll call you tomorrow. Thank you for the offer.”
“Thank you for agreeing to meet Luis. It means a lot to me.”
“Oh, no problem. I think he’s a good guy.”
Gerome laughed dryly. “He just never lets me see that side of him.”
“Ouch. That bad?”
Gerome hesitated a second. “No, not really. We actually managed to spend some time together tonight without fighting. We cooked dinner, and he even joked and laughed, so it’s better. I still don’t think he likes me, but we’ve managed to be polite to each other.”
“That’s a start. It will work out in some way. You’ll see. And if he gets some freedom by having a bodyguard, then he might even accept your mating more.”
How did D know Luis didn’t accept the mating? Of course, anyone with good observation skills probably guessed that already.
“I can only hope. I’ll let you get back to whatever you’re doing right now and do my work.”
“I have to finish my reports, so your call was a very welcome distraction.” D laughed.
“I feel you. Let’s see how it goes with Luis, and then you might be free of the paperwork.”
“That alone makes me want to accept the job without even meeting Luis.”
“I know. That’s why I asked you. How are things with Ash? I didn’t get around to asking you when we were at the wedding.”
“Don’t ask. I’m pretty sure he won’t ever trust anyone again. Except maybe Josh, but they’ve known each other for some time.” D’s voice sounded somber.
“Give him time. He’ll come around and trust you one day.”
“I doubt it. I’m lucky he wants to see me when I’m in town and even stays alone with me. I don’t think I can ask for more. Hell, if that’s all I ever get, it’s enough.” He sighed. “Crap, I sound pathetic. But I don’t believe he’ll ever see me as more than a friend.”
“I know, but he’ll get through it, and he even might trust you enough one day to see how you feel for him.”
“I doubt it, but I’d like to stay closer to him so we can spend more time with each other. And I like the idea of working directly for you. It sounds like a great offer.”
“I hope so. You two deserve it. And when Luis agrees, you can start as soon as possible.”
“Then let’s hope for the best. Okay, I really need to get my stuff finished here. Otherwise, I won’t be able to come home tomorrow. Talk to you when I’m back.”
“Yes, I’ll be waiting. Good night.”
“Good night, even though you won’t sleep. Am I right?”
“Yes, most likely not. Catch you tomorrow, okay?”
“Good. Bye.”
Gerome disconnected the call and leaned back in his chair. D seemed very willing to stay in Munich, and he couldn’t think of anyone else who’d be more suited to protect Luis. D didn’t take any shit, yet he was the most easygoing of the trackers. Using one of his father’s men didn’t sit well with Gerome, and the other trackers suffered from a hard case of wanderlust. D possessed it as well, but he had a reason to stay close, which made him the perfect fit. Now if he and Luis got along, then he’d have one problem solved.
It was after eleven already, so calling the driving school would have to wait until tomorrow. Time to get more work done. At least, he had sorted out some important stuff already.
Luis was actually nice to be around when he forgot his hate for him for a moment. And recently, he seemed able to do that. Now they just had to move in the right direction. Then they’d be fine as they went forward.
Maybe he should offer to let Luis visit his friends back home. That might brighten his mood a little.