First Contact

A firm knock sounded at the door. John glanced at Price. “Who’s here, sir?”

“Open the door and you’ll see,” Price replied.

John stood up, moved towards the door and pulled it open.

A woman stood in the hallway—sharp posture, dark office uniform, suitcase next to her. Her expression was calm but assessing.

She’s tall. Maybe a few inches shorter than me. Muscular—biceps visible even under the suit. And abs? She’s definitely trained. Tattoos… starts from side of her neck, continues out of her right arm shirt sleeve. Ex-military? Possible. And what’s in the suitcase behind her? Whoever she is, she’s not standard staff.

“John, this is Mei Lee,” Price said. “Your handler.”

She lifted her hand in a professional greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Johnathan Mercer. I’ve heard plenty about you from the Director.” John shook her hand. Her grip was firm—borderline crushing.

Strong. Stronger than she looks. Definitely not office staff.

“A pleasure to meet you too,” John said, then felt the tension in her grip. “Pushed one too many keys lately, Lee?”

She held the handshake a beat longer, her eyes narrowing—measuring. Before anything could escalate, Price called them out.

“Alright, you two. Stand down,” he said with a small sigh.

Mei released John’s hand and dragged the suitcase inside with a smooth motion, taking her place beside Price.

Price folded his arms. “Well then, Mei, what do you think of him?” Mei didn’t hesitate. Her eyes flicked to John, studying him openly. “He’s a pretty boy, sir,” she said. “He could pass for a model or a comedian before a bodyguard, if not for that scar on his right.”

John shot back at her. “Sir, I’ve never had a handler before this, and I won’t be needing one now—especially this muscle mommy over here.”

Price started laughing, while Mei burst with rage. “What did you just call me?”

“Don’t take him too seriously, Mei,” Price said. “He’s messing with you.”

Then Price looked at John. “Before this case, bodyguard duty was all you were needed for. But now, investigation is also part of your work. Every time you find evidence, need information, or require assistance, you contact her. And for your information, she’s also my bodyguard. I’m too old to take care of myself, John.”

He added, “I know she might not look like it at first glance, but she has a heart of gold. She’s a sweet girl.”

John sighed, lowering his head. “Whatever you command, sir. When should I start?”

Price gave a nod to Mei, and she began speaking. “Tomorrow at seventeen hundred hours, you’ll be at their talent agency headquarters. Your code for the meeting is Lancelot.”

Seventeen hundred hours. Definitely connected to military.

She continued, “You’ll be wearing this suit. It has a camera and a microphone embedded in it to gather information or evidence that might be useful later. It's the same kind of tech the police use.”

John raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t it illegal to record someone without their permission?”

Mei replied, “That’s why tomorrow you’ll give them these forms to sign.” She pulled two sets of papers out of the case. “Their father already gave permission, but they need to sign as well.”

John leaned against the nearby wall, smirking. “Is that suit bulletproof or knife-proof, perchance?”

Mei stared at him for a moment. “Watched Jack Wicked movies lately? No, it’s not. Wear your vest under the suit.”

Price stood up. “Get some rest, John. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day. And don’t forget our work code.” John recited, “Never let her out of my sight. Never let my guard down. And…” Price finished for him, “Never fall in love with the client. I know you’ve had female clients before, but I need you to remember our code.”

“Not going to, sir.”

With that, both Price and Mei headed to the door. “Goodnight, John. Sleep well,” Price said as he closed the door behind him.

“Sure, Commander… sure,” John muttered, sitting on the couch, lighting a smoke.

*****

At five in the evening, John stood in front of the entrance to Kingsley Talent Agency. Before stepping inside, he noticed a black SUV with tinted windows parked across the street. As soon as he looked directly at it, the vehicle reversed slowly out of sight.

Hmmm.

*****

Once inside, he walked straight to the lobby desk. “Good evening. I’m Alex Bell, and I have a meeting with Aria and Rina Kingsley.”

The secretary greeted him politely and checked her list. “I’m sorry, sir, your name isn’t here.”

John’s expression hardened. “How can that be? Samuel Kingsley, the CEO, hired me to guard his daughter. He set this meeting up.”

The secretary checked again, now visibly uneasy. “I’m very sorry, sir, but your name is not on the list. We have to ask you to leave the building.” The security guard beside her stood and slowly reached toward his holster.

John raised both hands, his voice flat and calm. “Relax. I was testing you. My name is John Mercer. Code Lancelot.”

The secretary blinked, then checked a different section of the list. She quickly nodded to the guard. “You scared us for a moment, sir. Miss Rina is in her office—top floor.”

“Thank you,” John said, turning toward the elevators.

*****

On the top floor, the elevator doors opened and John stepped out. The assistant at the desk looked up immediately. “Good evening, sir. One moment, please.”

From behind Rina’s office door, he heard two women’s voices—heated, sharp. “I don’t need a goddamn bodyguard!” one of them shouted.

A tense silence followed, the argument dying down.

The assistant used the phone for a second then stood and gestured politely toward the door. “You can enter now, sir.”

Once John stepped inside the office, he saw a woman in a black suit seated behind the desk—black hair tied neatly back, posture sharp. Beside her stood a blonde woman in a hoodie, hands in her pockets, gaze fixed on him.

“Hello, Mr. Mercer,” the woman at the desk said. “I’m Rina Kingsley, and this is my sister, Aria.”

Aria continued staring at him, head tilted slightly. “You don’t look like a bodyguard.”

John’s voice stayed calm. “Anything specific in mind?”

“Don’t know,” Aria muttered. “Maybe someone tough. Not… a model.” John held eye contact with her; she immediately blushed and looked away.

Rina cleared her throat. “Mr. Mercer, would you please wait in the meeting room on the left? I’ll join you shortly.”

“Sure.” He opened the door and stepped inside, leaving the sisters alone.

As soon as the door closed, Rina rounded on Aria and whispered sharply, “What is wrong with you, Ari?”

Aria, still a little red, whispered back, “He’s… kinda hot.”

Rina stared at her. “You have a fiancé. And Dad picked him for your protection.” Aria huffed. “Then why did Daddy pick a good-looking guy? Didn’t they have an ugly old one?” Rina let out a long sigh. “So you suddenly changed your mind about having a bodyguard? That’s all it took?”

“Not tonight,” Aria said quickly. “It’s the weekend, and I want to hang out with my girls. I don’t want him there. He’s distracting.”

Rina’s expression twisted. “Have you lost your freakin mind? Someone out there is trying to kill you, or worse, and you want to go out alone?”

“Please, sis. Pleeease.” Aria grabbed her sister’s arms. “The security at Venus Club is super tight, and I’ll only be there for an hour or two. I’ll keep the hoodie up, no one will even know it’s me.” Rina dropped her head, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Aria continued, “If he comes along, I won’t be able to do anything. Just this once. I’ll say yes to every press event and every interview you want. I swear.” Rina groaned. “Fine. I’ll grab his file that Dad sent and go talk to him—kill time until you get back. But make it quick, or I’ll kill you myself.”

Aria grinned, hugged her sister, and kissed her cheek. “You’re the best, sis.” She pulled her hoodie over her head and hurried out.

When she stepped outside and climbed into a cab, the black SUV from earlier appeared again, slowly following her.