Rip stood outside the small conference room taking several deep breaths watching the few people he had working for him as they waited with his, so-called, silent partner.
This was it, he was about to start planning for his first client. If he could persuade himself to move.
His phone buzzed and glancing down Rip chuckled when he read the message from John, 'Get your ass in here and stop stalling.'
Taking one more deep breath, Rip put a smile on his face and entered the conference room.
"Good morning, everyone," he said, taking his seat, "Thank you for joining us. You may already know each other but I am going to go through who everyone is and their position within the company, so I know that we are all on the same page."
He paused for a moment and glanced to John who nodded encouragingly at him.
"Alright, first is John Constantine," Rip said motioning to his friend, "He is my business partner. Supposedly a silent one but we'll see about that." At everyone's chuckle, Rip smiled turning to the man on his right, "John Diggle, will oversee the main security team. At his side is Mick Rory and Leonard Snart, they will work with Diggle on events effectively as his lieutenants. Next is Sara Lance, she is going to be one of our discreet bodyguards and will also lead that team once we have them in place."
Sara smirked at him but stayed silent.
"Last but not least," Rip continued, "Is Zari Tomaz. She will head up our tech team and will help me put together dossiers for how to integrate our discreet bodyguard service into our clients' lives as well as run the comms team when we have people in the field."
He looked over at John again, getting another encouraging smile from the other man. He took another quick breath, "We have our first client. Nyssa Al-Ghul is going to be in the city for one night attending an art show for one of her friends. She has hired us for a discreet bodyguard and her friend, Andrea Walsh, has also hired us to secure the event itself."
Ripples of interest went through the room. Rip stood and picked up the pile of tablets he had waiting passing them to everyone.
"Okay," Rip told them, "These are all set up with everything you need. Passwords and log in details are on the back. Let's get to work."
"Drink this."
Rip looked surprised at the glass of scotch John pressed into his hand, "What?"
"You're about to sprain something the way you're standing," John told him, "Take a drink, unclench a little."
Throwing a glare at his brother, Rip followed instructions and threw back the entire contents of the glass.
"Good boy," John patted his arm, taking the glass back, "Everything is going fine. Although Sara in the all black is just weirding me out."
Rip chuckled, "Yeah, it's an interesting look but I think it works to be Nyssa's muse."
"I meant to ask how you came up with that," John said.
"Zari," Rip replied, "She's taken to her new role really well."
John nodded, "Despite the fact you can't talk to them, you are pretty good at working out people's gifts."
Ducking his eyes at the compliment, Rip touched his ear, "Zari, can you give me an update?"
"Everything is clear, boss," their eye in the sky said, "John, Mick and Len are monitoring the perimeter and I have access to the cameras we set up all over the place."
"See, everything is going well," John told him.
Rip nodded, "I'll just feel better once the night is over and our first job is a success."
John rested his hand on his brother's shoulder, "It's going well. Just an hour left."
x
"Rip?"
At the familiar voice Rip turned to the woman standing in the entrance of the small office at the back of the bar, "Nyssa, is something wrong?"
She laughed, "No, although I do owe John some money because that was your first question." Taking a step inside she gave him a warm smile, "I wanted to thank you for how well tonight went."
Standing he moved to offer her a seat, "I'm glad everything went how you wanted it to go."
"You were nervous?" she asked amused.
Rip nodded, "I have been a little highly strung all day."
"Well, I have nothing but praise for you and your team," Nyssa told him, "Sara is excellent as my new muse. And this was the first time I have had an exhibit here that did not have the bar staff glaring at the security team all night."
Rip laughed, "Well that does make life easier."
"I am heading home tomorrow but I can promise that when I am next in town then I shall be hiring your team again," Nyssa told him.
"Thank you, Nyssa," Rip smiled.
She gave him another smile, "And I shall be recommending your services to anyone who asks, as well as those who do not."
Sitting in his office the next morning Rip scanned over everything from the night before.
"Well?"
Rip looked up as John dropped into the seat across from him, "Well what?"
"You've done a complete review of last night. How did things go?" John asked, nodding at the computer.
Rip smiled softly, "Great."
"You sound surprised," John laughed, "I knew this was going to be a success. You know your stuff, Rip and the people you hired are all excellent at what they do."
Leaning back in his chair, Rip looked at the man who had once been someone he barely tolerated in his life to best friend, brother and business partner.
"This is going to work, isn't it?" Rip asked with a smile.
John nodded, "Yeah. It is."
Taking a deep breath Rip clapped his hands together, "Alright. Time to find our next clients."
With a smile John bounced to his feet and left Rip to work.