Logan Chapter 123

-Emory-

I guess if I absolutely have to have a shadow, Hammer is a good one. He’s one of James’ employees and pack members. I want to ask him what it’s like to have that control freak as his boss twice over- or would he think of it as his alpha twice over? I want to ask him a lot of things, but I feel like he’s already over my shit and we just met ten minutes ago.

I know Hammer isn’t his real name, but he looks like it could be. He’s taller even than Logan, and built like a damn truck. He’s more farm boy strong than bodybuilder- he looks more like a bouncer than Logan’s cut physique. He has hair so black it’s almost blue, and milk chocolate brown eyes. That’s as sweet as he gets, though- his fists seem like they’re the size of my head, and his nose has set wrong from a past break. Hammer arrived wearing dark wash jeans and a black henley- no jacket, or even a vest like some people do as Spring starts to actually make it this far north. I guess all that mass must produce its own weather. In the short conversation we’ve had so far, “getting to know one another,” I’ve learned that Hammer has no siblings, no mate or pups, and that he already knows all about me because he was given a file that James and Ollie have been updating on me the entire time Logan has known me. That was an exciting tidbit to learn.

*You know what a nosy fucker Ollie is, it was his idea. James just uses it to excuse his obsession with security.* I keep a smile on my face as I try to follow the “conversation” with Hammer and the one with Logan at the same time. We’ve been gaining a little bit of experience with it, but he’s better with his poker face than I am.

*He’s about to use my fist for floss if he doesn’t butt out of my business, and you can tell him so*. I sass back at Logan, ignoring his smirk as he updates our group chat with my commentary.

Hammer tilts his head and stops mid sentence. “Huh. You’ll have to work on the telepathy thing. You two are too obvious. With fated mates showing up, all the myths are circulating about it. If you want to keep it a secret like Alpha thinks is best, then you can’t glance at each other every time you make a reply.” Somehow, I know he’s talking to me more than Logan. He doesn’t show deference to Logan like our pack does, but he still makes sure to use an overtly respectful tone with him rather than the businesslike one he uses with me. Like the difference between talking to a manager and an employee when being a tightass is in the job description.

I smile and even though I try not to be, my tone is apologetic. “I have the worst poker face. It’s a work in progress.” Hammer gives me a clipped nod before asking about my usual schedule.

“That’s just the thing, I don’t do much that isn’t running the pack here. I personally feel like this is an overreaction. I went out shopping for… clothes… one time and a guy said he recognized me from all the press we’ve been getting. I, admittedly, freaked out and left immediately, but I wasn’t ever in physical danger. He didn’t follow me, he didn’t try to touch me. He just spoke crudely. It’s New York, I can’t expect Southern hospitality here. I don’t. You’ll be so bored.” Logan rolls his eyes at me, and I know if Hammer doesn’t have the right reply, we’ll both hear Logan’s opinion about all of it.

Hammer is standing with his hands together at the small of his back. At ease, I guess, when he replies. “All due respect, I walk into every job hoping it will be boring. I make plans A through D because excitement leads to injury. When I’m bored it means I did my job well.” He pauses and shoots a glance at Logan. “You were afraid. You felt unsafe in a public setting, and by the time you had extricated yourself, feeling unsafe had escalated to panic. Panic makes mistakes. You did well in that particular situation, but there was more emotional impact than necessary. My job is to make sure you’re as physically safe as you can be in a city this size, and when circumstances don’t adhere to the plan, you’ll know that I will keep you safer than you ever could. Ideally, you would never feel afraid enough to have another panic attack because you’d know I have your back. Understood?” I nod meekly at the end of his speech, unsure of what to say in the face of all that.

It’s clear Hammer is either very passionate about his job, or his life has been threatened by both James and Logan if I have any issues. While I’m not a huge fan of the thought of the latter, I know the answer is probably a little bit of both. I clear my throat. “Well, Mr. Hammer, I’d like to say I’m very grateful. I appreciate your time. I hope I don’t get on your nerves too much.” Even though he’s smiled a couple of times, this is the first time Hammer actually laughs, and he tips his head back with it.

“Oh damn, Mr. Hammer. That’s great. Can you imagine? Just Hammer, Luna. It’s a nickname from the force. It’s easier just to go by my callsign to avoid confusion. Hesitation loses lives.” I’m starting to sense he has a lot of those dire little phrases. Charming.

“I knew that, somewhere in the back of my mind. How do you get a nickname like Hammer? Is your name Hamilton or something? I can see why you’d shorten that.” I racked my brain, trying to think of other names that could end up as a builder’s tool.

“Worse. My first name is Armand. I couldn’t go into the Seals with Army for a nickname, now could I? Sounds like shit, anyway.” It takes me a second to get the joke, but Logan and I both guffaw at the realization.

“Well, Hammer is a good one, then. Have you had dinner yet? We have some chefs in training on site if you’re hungry.” He gives me a small smile and a shake of his head.

“I’m good. Just show me where I’m bunking if you’re not planning on going anywhere tomorrow. If you are, we need to discuss routes and action plans.” The thought of it already makes my head hurt. I’d rather stay home forever than have to think up an ‘action plan’ for shopping.

“No, uh, I’ll be home tomorrow.” Another nod from Hammer, and Logan pulls me into his side, glad he doesn’t have to worry about me here.

“Excellent. We’ll meet in the sitting room at 0900 tomorrow morning to talk through how I’d go about protecting you and what you would need to do to make both our lives easier.” He turns without waiting for my confirmation and walks to the room that Logan pointed out to him.

He’s not a total stick in the mud, but he’s not going to be my new best friend, either. I’m not entirely sure what I think about my new babysitter- *Bodyguard*, Logan thinks to me- but he won’t be miserable to be around, at least. He’s capable of laughter, and I can work with the rest. Logan kisses the top of my head, glad that we won’t have to fight about it again.