Sterling
"They're all waiting for you." Ronnie, the guard I've grown the fondest of, informed me as we walked to the meeting room.
He's been my guard for the last few years, but I've had him give me my space considering I didn't feel like there were many threats against me. Even with Elise I didn't feel like I needed him constantly around. Now, with Mr. King sending up so many red flags I feel it's necessary.
I stopped once I was in front of a door containing the guards inside. It's time that they need to be briefed as things are about to get more complicated. Luckily, Cody, who's still the head of my dad's security team, picked the best of the best.
I opened the door and walked into the room, their eyes immediately going to Ronnie and me. Standing at the head of the table where they sit, I cleared my throat and began to start this little meeting.
"Thank you gentlemen for joining me on such short notice." It's not like they had a choice, but I still wanted them to know I appreciated it. "There's been a shift in things, instead of watching from afar I need you guys to be close. I don't have many details as of right now, but we need to be careful of anyone who has an association with Mr. King."
They nodded and continued to listen to me.
"Henry." I looked over to the guard I've put in charge of watching over Isabelle some time ago. "Ms. Avildsen is not to go anywhere without you around. I'm having a few of the others take over surveillance of her apartment building. I've got an apartment on the same floor as hers that you will be staying in, that way in case anything happens you're nearby and can act quickly. Understood?"
"Of course Mr. Tipton." He nodded. "If I may ask, is she aware of the changes that will be taking place?"
"Not just yet." I wanted to have a gameplan together before I informed her, that way I can answer any questions that she has. "It'll be fine, even she's had her suspicions that Mr. King is up to no good."
Henry nodded. "Yes Sir."
I looked over to Ronnie who stood beside me. "You have the same orders, just for me. I've got space for you on the floor below the penthouse."
"Are you sure that's necessary?" He asked with a raised brow. "Your place is already locked down pretty tightly."
My father's warning from yesterday comes back into my mind.
'The one time I didn't have my guys with me, I ended up shot and almost lost my life.'
I remember when that happened, I was still young so I didn't fully understand everything then but I know our family went through hell because of that. When my father was shot, he may have lived but he wasn't the same after awhile. It got so bad that Kaydence took Scarlett and me to my grandfather's mansion.
I refuse to put my family through that same hell all over again.
"Yes." I finally responded. "Enemies always strike when your guard is down and you least expect it, I won't give him that opportunity."
Ronnie nodded. "Okay Sir."
I turned my attention to the guard sitting straight ahead at the other end of the table. His purpose is for a different purpose. While he's a bulky guy that makes for a great guard, he has a particular skill set that I'm interested in.
"Luca, I'm putting you the one who's in charge of digging up dirt on Mr. King." I informed him.
"What?" Another one of the guards spoke up. His confusion was clear on his face as he's just finding out he's been replaced. "I thought that's what I do."
"Not anymore." I acknowledged. "I need someone better equipped for the job and clearly, that's no longer you."
"But—" He started to protest but I cut him off.
"It was my friend who had to get me dirt on the Tunts, not you." I didn't hold back my displeasure as my voice grew dark. "You haven't gotten me anything that gives me an idea about Mr. King. You are no longer fit for the job, you probably never were but I let it slide because things weren't that serious. Now I realize my mistake and it's my job to correct it because it's my life this will be fucking with, not yours."
His throat bobbed as he gulped, he'd been left speechless.
"You will be taking orders from Ronnie and stick to basic guard duties. Is that a problem?" I asked, narrowing my eyes as I glared at him. "Because if so, you're welcome to walk out of this room right now."
Fear was in his eyes as he shook his head. "Not a problem Sir."
"Good." I looked back over at Luca. "I've been made aware that you have the ability to hack into some of the most secure systems. I need you to get me anything and everything you can on Mr. King."
"How far in detail do you want me to go?" Luca questioned.
"So far that you can tell me what the asshole had for breakfast." I replied.
He nodded. "You got it, I'll get on it after this meeting is over."
"Perfect." A faint grin appeared on my lips, fading quickly as I looked over the rest of the men. "I will have half of you with Ronnie and half of you with Henry. Everyone else who isn't in this room will stay in their places."
The only ones really missing are the guards I have watching over the Tunts. I wanted to keep their focus on them, we have more than enough people covering things between my team and my father's.
"Does anyone have any questions?" I asked as I looked over the table, pleased when no one spoke up. I finished going over their new orders and then brought the meeting to a close. "I want you all moving into position immediately. You're now excused."
I turned around and headed out of the room, Ronnie following closely behind me as I walked back through the office space. We got inside of the elevator and took it back up to the top floor. The doors opened and I began heading back to my office, but stopping when I noticed Isabelle was not around.
I marched right into Killian's office, causing him to look up at me. "Where is she?"
He exhaled a low sigh. "Baby Tipton decided to come and take my assistant away for lunch."