The Job offer

"Marshall, old friend, you came! I didn't think you would accept my offer," Senator Connor Reid said, shaking Caleb’s hand warmly.

"Well, I didn’t think I’d come either. Never imagined I’d end up babysitting, but here we are," Caleb replied with a chuckle.

"Please, have a seat," Connor said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk. Caleb sat down as Connor passed him a file. Raising his eyebrows, Caleb opened it.

"Everything you need to know about my daughter is in that file," Connor said, his voice a mix of pride and anxiety. Caleb was curious which of Connor's daughters he’d be protecting.

"My daughter is very precious to me," Connor added.

Caleb didn’t even look up as he absorbed the information, skimming through a wealth of family photographs of Connor’s daughter, from baby pictures to her current age. She had always been stunning, but something caught his eye—she wore fancy lace gloves in pictures from when she was fourteen to now. Her once-bright eyes, full of innocence and happiness, now seemed empty, despite her smiles for the camera. What had happened to her?

If he had been on the fence about the offer, these pictures tipped the scales. He felt a surge of protectiveness, a need to shield her from whatever demons had created such a hollow shell.

"So why exactly are you hiring me?" Caleb asked. He knew why he was here, but the details were vague.

"To protect my daughter."

"From what, Connor? Has there been a threat?"

"Your services are a precautionary measure."

"Precautionary?" Caleb scoffed. "You don’t hire someone like me just as a precaution." He was a former General from a family that had amassed billions supplying ammunition to the military. His services were exceptionally expensive, and this job was his escape from a harsh reality.

"You’ll have to give me more than that," Caleb said flatly, tossing the file back on the desk, ignoring Connor’s surprised look. He guessed not many people told the senator how things were going to be.

"I’ve hired you as private security. Your job is to protect my daughter."

Caleb smirked. "My job? I haven’t even accepted your offer yet."

The senator leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial tone. "Let’s not play games, Marshall. I know you’re the best. My daughter's safety is at stake, and I need someone I can trust."

Caleb considered the offer. He was the best, but he didn’t take on jobs just for the money. He needed to know he was protecting someone worth protecting.

"Okay," he said finally, leaning back. "I’ll take the job. But I need to know more. Why does your daughter need protection?"

The senator hesitated. "There have been some… incidents. Threats against my daughters and our family. I can’t go into detail, but suffice it to say, I believe there are people who would harm them."

Caleb nodded. "I see. And what kind of protection are you looking for? Around the clock or just when she’s out in public?"

"I want someone with her at all times," Connor said firmly. "I want her to be safe, no matter what."

Caleb nodded again. "I’ll need to meet with your daughter to understand her routine and needs. And I’ll need to do a full security assessment of her home and other frequented places."

The senator sighed. "That won’t be necessary. My daughter rarely leaves her room or the house. Her therapist said she should go out more, and that’s another reason I hired you. Maybe with a personal bodyguard, she’ll feel safe enough to leave her comfort zone. She can't become the president's wife if she has no social life."

Caleb narrowed his eyes. "I’m sorry, what?"

"In the next election, we’re backing Christian Houghton. He needs a wife, and it’s time for Lila to settle down. The union of our families would be beneficial."

"Except to Lila," Caleb pointed out. "What is this, an arranged marriage?"

"Marrying Houghton will give her a powerful husband who can provide security. It will benefit our family and our political goals."

Caleb shook his head, anger flaring. "You can’t force someone to marry for political gain."

"I’m not forcing her, just encouraging. And I’m hiring you to ensure her safety during this process."

Caleb sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. He knew arguing was futile, but he didn’t like Lila being used as a political pawn. The thought of her with someone else made his blood boil. Maybe this was for the best. He wasn’t good for her. His life was filled with danger. Maybe Christian Houghton could offer her the safe, stable life she deserved.

"Okay," he said finally. "I’ll keep your daughter safe. But I won’t be part of any schemes. If I sense she’s being forced or pressured, I’ll step in."

The senator nodded. "I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Marshall."

Caleb nodded, feeling he was stepping into something more complex than just protecting a politician’s daughter. There was more going on here, and he was determined to find out what it was, even if it meant going against the senator's plans to ensure Lila’s happiness and safety.