Marcus – didn’t step back. His courage, really, ought to have been lauded; as it was, it was a mere unremarked-on necessity. His contract specified that he not engage in communication with the client, but it also stipulated that were a response commanded, he would, if the environment were secure enough, be compelled to obey.
Esca knew that, of course. The brat knew everything. “Come here, Marcus.”
Mature, AU. Esca is a dancer, Marcus his bodyguard. It goes about as well as expected. Intense!