posted on August 6, 2014 by Naima Simone

An Interview with Chayot

Private notes from my interview with the less homicidal half of Liberty Security Services, Chayot Grey – Stacy Danver

Chayot_500So today, I met with Chayot Grey and Raphael Marcel, co-owners of Liberty Security Services and my new clients. Not going to lie. Raphael Marcel, uh, unnerved me. But the other owner, Chayot—or Chay as he asked me to call him—was the exact opposite of his tatted, pierced, scary partner in appearance. Note to self: Chayot Grey will most likely be the face of the firm…yeah, definitely… Anyway, at the risk of sounding unprofessional—but these are my personal notes so I’m just going to say it—he was gorgeous. Swooning would not have convinced him he made the correct decision in taking a chance on a fledgling public relations firm, but it was a close call. Tall, lean, chin-length golden brown hair, hazel eyes… Just a beautiful man. And intimidating. Not in the I’ll-take-you-out-and-hide-the-remains-under-my-bed kind of way as his partner, but Chay’s reserve and aloofness still sent shivers down my spine. As does transcribing a portion of our interview…

Me: Thank you for your time, Chay. I know this can be tedious, but we’re also looking to do something out-the-box from an ordinary ad campaign and portfolio. We want your future clientele to feel as if they personally know the people that will be in charge of their care and security.

Chayot: (nodding) I understand. And I appreciate your vision.

Me: Awesome. So continuing, as a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Chayot: What every little boy wants to be I suppose. A firefighter, cop, or baseball player. (A corner of his mouth lifts) I also wanted to be Freddie from Scooby-Doo.

Me: (chuckling) I must admit, I wanted to look like Daphne but have Velma’s brains. Other than the Scooby-Doo aspiration, what is something else people would be surprised to know about you?

Chayot: And here I thought every detail of my life had already been laid out for public consumption in the newspapers and online. (Temples his fingers under his chin) But how about this? If I could be reincarnated I would come back as Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod.

Me: (Blink. Blink.) Um, Duncan MacLeod? As in there-can-be-only one Duncan MacLeod?

Chayot: (a quick smile that is blinding in its prettiness, but gone before I can go into my church-lady faint) Imagine living that long, being history not just reading about it. (pause) So much time to right wrongs you’ve committed.

Me: (clearing my throat) If you could apologize to someone in your past, who would it be?

Chayot: Alphabetically? (shakes his head) I’d probably start with myself—or rather the boy I used to be.

Me: What would you say?

Chayot: (staring past me, unblinking) A lot. (pause) Not enough.

Me: (clearing throat) Do you have a favorite quote, quip, or saying? If so, can you share?

Chayot: (another of those half-smiles that sends my heart into pre-cardiac arrest territory) Silence can never be misquoted. I share that quote with Rafe…often.

Me: (I laugh at that one. I just came out of an interview with his partner, and that particular bit of counsel has not been heeded) Um, well. I’m sure he appreciates the advice.

Chayot: *snickers* Sure, he does.

Me: What was the scariest moment of your life?

Chayot: (Arches an eyebrow) That would be when I stabbed a man to death in my mother’s kitchen. Feel free to reword that however you see fit so it sounds more politically correct and less…murderous.

Me: (Note to self: Use “tragedy” instead of “murder”.) Will do. So, what do you do to unwind and relax?

Chayot: Sam Adams. Pizza. And a Red Sox game.

Me: What songs are most played on your Ipod?

Chayot: Under Pressure by Queen. The Lord of the Rings soundtrack. And anything by Aslyn Jericho.

Me: What book are you reading now?

Chayot: I’m re-reading The Chronicles of Narnia. Right now I’m in the middle of The Silver Chair.

Me: Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

Chayot: Puerto Rico. My mother was born there, and I’ve always wanted to visit. Maybe take her with me since she hasn’t been back since she was a little girl.

Me: Do your friends think you are an introvert or an extravert? Why?

Chayot: (snorts) In my group of friends? I’m definitely the introvert. Rafe? We wish he was an introvert. Mute, too. Mal makes his living with his mouth piece in court, and even Gabe, the quintessential broody author, has been more talkative since Leah. So, yes, they definitely consider me an introvert, while I just don’t feel like fighting to get a word in.

Me: Final question and we’ll be done here. What makes you happy?

Chayot: Happy? (long pause) Knowing my best friends finally have the safety, joy, and love they deserve. A man can’t ask for more than that, can he?

I shut off the recorder, his last question echoing in my head. It occurs to me that he didn’t really answer the question. He described happiness for his friends, but not himself. One owner of the firm is brash, in-your-face, while the other is reserved, cool. But both a person would find impossible to forget…

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Secrets and Sins: Chayot

Six months after concert pianist Aslyn Jericho survives an attack at the hands of an obsessed fan, she is still trying to resume a normal life, despite the paralyzing fears that have stolen her ability to play and perform. Enter her gorgeous and mysterious neighbor with news that threatens to send her spiraling back into her nightmares. Her stalker has returned. And he wants Aslyn.

Months after security specialist Chayot Gray’s darkest secret was exposed to the world, he’s struggling to cope with the fallout. Shame and guilt threaten to consume him, and he longs for the anonymous, numb existence he’s known for two decades. Then he discovers a masked figure lurking outside his neighbor’s home. The pain-filled shadows darkening Aslyn’s eyes call to him, and her loveliness stirs a desire he didn’t know existed. Now Chay must conquer his inner-demons in order to save her from a madman determined to finish the job he started…

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Naima Simone

Naima Simone’s love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey and Linda Howard many years ago. Though her first attempt at writing a romance novel at age 11 never saw the light of day, her love of romance and writing has endured. Now, she spends her time creating stories of unique men and women who experience the dizzying heights of passion and the tender heat of love. She is wife to Superman—or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent—and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

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