CHAPTER FOUR

A Seat At The Table

DANIEL

Neo and I had gone back to New York on his two-week break from concert activities and media rounds. The private jet flight had been costly. Neo was bent on having his freedom and didn’t like it when I made rules, but I didn’t care. I didn’t need him to like me to do my job.

New York hummed with life. We landed at a quiet private terminal and didn’t waste much time there compared to the usual airports. This was a first for me. I was used to crowded airports and military helicopters. Our final destination took us to Neo’s penthouse.

The penthouse stretched wide and open, looking more like the sky than an actual apartment. His house security woman led us in. The inside looked more glamorous. Marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and immaculate furniture. The windows made it possible to see the city from there. Neo showed me other parts of the house; the kitchen, his personal studio, and some other rooms I thought were unnecessary for one person. The place screamed luxury. He had two lounges and a bar.

As we later sat across from each other, making security plans for the penthouse, I brought up the window issue.

“ There are too many windows. Makes you an easy target.”

Neo looked unbothered, then stood up and went closer to the window, gazing ahead.

“Or the best view in the city,” he said, dipping his hands into his jean pockets.

I stood up too, walking toward him.

 “Depends if you’re looking out… or someone is looking in. You must know how dangerous this is.”

He remained silent, still staring out into the night. The tiny lights shone brightly ahead, and the buildings looked smaller.

 “It’s been like this since I moved here. And I’ve been fine.”

He finally spoke, turning to me and meeting my gaze.

“That was because no one was out to hurt you. It’s different now.”

Neo’s jaw tightened, but his eyes didn’t flinch. For a moment, I thought he might argue, might finally admit he understood the danger. Instead, he let out a short laugh, dry and careless.

 “You make it sound like I’m supposed to hide in a cave Relax, big guy. I’m not that easy to break.”

I didn’t smile.

 “Overconfidence doesn’t stop a bullet.”

The silence that followed pressed heavy between us, filled only by the hum of the city outside. Neo turned back to the glass, brushing me off like he always did. 

I didn’t bring it up again, but I went ahead with other security measures. Some parts of the house had no cameras and terrible lighting, so I connected all of them to my phone. And now I could see what was happening in the house at all times and  track Neo wherever he was. If he weren’t so stubborn, I wouldn’t have gone to such lengths for his safety. I know it’s fucked up, but I couldn’t take the risks. Of course I didn't tell him about it either because I knew exactly how he was going to react.

My boss, Justin, from the security agency called to check on me. He was the closest thing I had to a friend after I left the military. Back then, he had talked me into joining his agency when I was at one of my lowest points.

“So, how’s the job going? You owe me big for putting you on this one,” his voice came through the line.

“More like you forced it on me. I never asked for this,” I shot back.

“Well, they wanted our best, and you’re our best, Ross. No one else could handle it.”

“Whatever. Get off my line.”

“But I—” He didn’t finish before I hung up.

“Food is ready. Join me at the table, I insist,” Neo said as he walked past me toward the kitchen, talking easily with the cook. She was a middle-aged woman who’d been smiling since I got there. She didn’t speak much, but there was a warmth about her that reminded me of my mother.

I waited until Neo left the kitchen before I followed.

“What? Don’t want to eat with me?” he asked before I could even open my mouth.

I almost told him I’d eat in my room but decided against it. What if something happened while I was gone? “I’ll join you soon,” I muttered instead.

“Thought so,” he chuckled.

The dining room was exactly what I expected, ridiculously big. The table stretched across the room with way more chairs than needed. Neo sat at the far end, a wine glass in hand, swirling it slowly. A small smile spread across his face when he saw me.

We weren’t exactly friends, but sometimes we were friendly, talking like normal people when it suited us.

“You came. Thought you might bail,” he remarked.

“Didn’t want you sneaking out without me,” I replied.

A low laugh came from his chest, echoing through the empty room. “I’m a grown man, Daniel. I don’t need your permission to leave,” he teased.

I didn’t answer.

“Make yourself comfortable,” he said, pointing to the chair with a plate already set.

My food was steak. Medium rare, simple seasoning, with a small plate of roasted potatoes. I chose the chair that gave me the best view of the door. Old habits.

Neo noticed, of course. “Do you ever relax?”

“I’m relaxed,” I answered, though I was cutting into my steak like I was racing the clock.

He raised a brow. “That’s not relaxed. You’re chewing like you’ve got somewhere to be. And of course, you picked the chair closest to the door.”

“ It’s something I’m used to”, I muttered softly. “ Is it related to your time at the military?”, he asked. “. Yeah”.  He didn’t pry further; and I was grateful for that.

We wrapped dinner up with Neo smirking like he knew something I didn’t. He left for his room, with his laughter trailing down the hall. I sat there a little longer, just staring at the empty chair. This was supposed to be a job, another client to keep alive. But Neo wasn’t just another client, and I hated that I already knew it deep in my guts. I told myself to stay focused, to keep a clear head , but deep down I knew this wasn’t going to be simple. And it’s not like I was attracted to men, so what the fuck was happening to me?.