Poor Dad Was Asked To Escort A VIP To Safety, Not Knowing She’d Be A CEO Who’d Fall For His Strength
The Extraction
“Oliver, we need you on a private security job. Starts now. Triple your usual rate.”
Oliver Ames stared at his ringing phone, standing in the school parking lot with his six-year-old son, Owen, tugging on his jacket.
It was Friday, and he’d promised Owen pizza and movies. But triple pay? That could cover next month’s rent and groceries.
“Where?” he asked, tightening his grip on Owen’s hand.
“Downtown. VIP extraction. Discrete escort to a secured location. Non-negotiable. You’ll be briefed on site.”
Oliver’s side eyes on Owen. “Can I bring my son? I’ve got no sitter right now.”
A long pause. “Fine. He stays in the SUV. You never leave his side.”
Oliver hung up, scooped Owen into his arms, and ran toward his rusted-out SUV.
“Change of plans, buddy. We’ve got a job.”
Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to a sleek highrise in the center of the city.
The building practically gleamed. All glass and steel, towering over the streets like it didn’t even belong in the same world as the scratched-up dashboard in front of him.
“You stay in the back, okay?” Oliver said, handing Owen a juice box and the iPad.,
“I’ll be right outside.”
“Okay, Daddy,” Owen said, cheerful. “Be safe.”
Oliver stepped out, instantly clocking the two suited men pacing in front of the building. One of them walked straight toward him, clipped and cold.
“Ames?”
“Yeah.”
“VIP is coming down in 30 seconds. You’re her shadow until she’s safe. No questions, no screw-ups.”
Oliver was about to ask what kind of VIP this was when the front doors opened and she walked out. She was tall, elegant, and wearing a sharp navy suit that probably cost more than his entire year’s salary.
Her heels clicked like clockwork. Her hair was pulled back in a smooth, no-nonsense ponytail, and her eyes were icy, focused, and scanning everything.
She spotted him immediately. “You’re the one escorting me?” she asked, arching a brow.
Oliver blinked. “Yeah, name’s Oliver Ames.”
She looked him over, from his worn leather jacket to his work boots. “Where’s the team?”
“Just me.”
Her lips parted in faint disbelief. “You’re the security team?”
He shrugged. “Got a price hike. Guess I’m doing okay.”,
Before she could say anything else, a loud bang echoed in the distance. Oliver’s instincts kicked in.
He stepped in front of her, hand on his concealed weapon, and turned his body toward the building. “Inside the SUV, now,” he ordered.
She hesitated, and that was all he needed to grab her wrist and pull her toward the car. “I don’t move,” he snapped, flinging the back door open.
Owen looked up, wide-eyed. “Who’s that?”
Oliver shoved her inside. “A client. Stay buckled.”
To her credit, she didn’t argue again. Once he slammed the door shut, he jumped into the driver’s seat and peeled away from the curb, tires screeching.
“What the hell is going on?” she demanded from the back.
“I was told to get you out. That’s what I’m doing.”
“I’m not some helpless intern,” she snapped. “I’m the CEO of Stratton Systems.”
Oliver glanced in the rearview mirror. “Good for you. I’m still getting you safe.”
She blinked. “You didn’t know who I was.”
“Nope, they just said VIP, didn’t mention billion-dollar tech empire.”,
She stared at him like he’d just grown a second head. “You really don’t know anything about me.”
“I don’t need to. All I need to know is where I’m taking you.”
She crossed her arms, leaning back beside Owen, who was staring at her like she was a unicorn. “You’ve got a kid.”
“Yeah, Owen, he’s six.”
“Hi,” Owen said, shy but curious.
She smiled. “Hi Owen. I’m Sienna Stratton.”
Oliver turned a corner fast, checking the rearview. “We’ve got a tail.”
Sienna straightened. “Black SUV?”
“Yep.”
She muttered something under her breath. “They’ve been after me since the board meeting. NDA breach.”
“Then buckle in,” Oliver said. “We’re not going to any hotel. I know someplace safer.”
