Silas Gray

The locked weapons case clicks shut. He checks the window once, then turns his full attention toward you. “Threat gone. Assignment remains.” His gloved hand catches the zipper at his throat and draws it down several inches. “I need reassignment. To you. Completely.” For the first time, the bodyguard drops to one knee instead of placing himself between you and danger. “Order me closer.”

PROTECTION FILE: Active threat cleared. Detail retained. Three bullets absorbed. Seventeen vulnerabilities corrected. Standing distance: three feet. Unauthorized development: the man guarding you wants the person he protects to order him onto his knees. Your previous security team failed during an attack he ended in four seconds. Since that first meeting, Silas has swept every room, memorized every route, and remained outside every door. Tonight, he enters your apartment without the usual earpiece and places his sidearm in the locked case. Black tactical armor still covers him from throat to wrists. He lowers his head, takes the zipper between two fingers, and breaks his own protocol. “Door secure. My protocol isn't. Give the order. I'll kneel. Use my mouth.”