A SEAL to Save Christmas (6 page)

Karl swiped a hand across the empty workdesk, leaving a dark smear in the dust, and set his laptop down on it. The device took an irritatingly long time to boot up. He first marked his status as ‘available’ on the website of private security contactors he belonged to, then began to browse through his list of messages. There were three waiting jobs that he’d been invited to apply for.

Private VIP Security for Sports Star Wanted. Ugh,
there was nothing he wanted less than to deal with another twenty-year-old idol’s drama fits. He’d had enough of that with Evans in Los Angles.

Long-distance Surveillance for Corporate CEO, Full Time.
Karl browsed through the job’s details. Low-key, minimum interaction with his client, well-paying, and doubtlessly mind-numbingly boring. Plenty of time on his hands was the exact opposite of what he needed. But he hesitated before moving onto the next email. His only personal indulgence was expensive taste in tactical gear. The salary was very tempting...
 

His eyes slid to the next job title.
 

Critical Protection Required Immediately – Must Be Willing to Marry

Karl eyebrow’s lifted at the message headline. He’d seen ads specifying only single applicants would be selected, but never before a requirement that demanded only married bodyguards. Intrigued, he clicked on it.

Mr. Johnstone,
 

My name is Rebecca Dalton. You may be familiar with my name through my late father’s business, Spark Industries. It has recently been heavily featured in the media due to its presence in the oil fields in the Middle East and the recent threats of terrorism against it. I am contacting you today because those threats have recently become personal since my father’s passing. Specifically, I have received messages threatening my kidnapping and being sold overseas.
 

My situation is a very unique and difficult one, and there are several details that I believe would be better discussed in person. But before we meet you must confirm that you are currently single, but willing to be married in the near future.

I understand this is unusual. I will explain the details once afdjvkukgei58uljmvnchs3...

Here the message dissolved into gibberish. Karl was already shaking his head in disbelief before he read the final line.
 

HELP ME.

The message ended with an automatic signature that included the client’s phone number beneath it.

What in the name of...
Karl was too unhinged by the bizarre message to even finish his thought.
Crazy spam message, or a prank email,
he decided. He promptly deleted it and abruptly got up to go put his clothes in the dryer.
 

But ten minutes later he was upstairs again, digging through his trash folder to find the strange woman’s number. Fake or not, he couldn’t get the thought out of his head that it might be a real and desperate cry for help.

…..

Continue the the story here
A SEAL to protect the Billionaire’s Daughter