Chapter Seventeen
A few weeks passed after Alex Sterling’s heart attack. He had done well during surgery. Better yet, he’d learned his lesson about taking care of himself. He’d stepped down at Sterling Investments, turning the title of CEO, the highest role, over to Jared.
And since Aiden would return for good next month, Jared had insisted he be named CFO. He’d explained to Charlie that he didn’t want feelings of resentment festering once Aiden learned the ropes, after he studied for and took his Series exams. Brooke, too, had been promoted to COO, chief operating officer.
During the time that passed, Charlie adjusted to full-time work and she loved her new job. From shadowing the resident docents so she learned everything about the museum, to prepping to give guide tours herself, to cataloguing new items, she enjoyed both the work and the people. The staff included her during lunch hour and she’d gotten to know them all well.
Only once had she met Leo for a quick bite to eat, and Jared had joined them so he could meet her friend. Given how often she spent time alone with Jared in the evenings, she rarely saw Leo, though they texted and talked to catch up. He had met someone he was now dating and they’d both been less available.
Jared, despite wanting to cut back to more normal hours, had still been working late in the evenings, but somehow they’d gotten into a routine of him coming over for dinner, Charlie cooking and waiting for him to eat. As a result, they’d grown closer.
Today, Charlie was leaving work early for her eighteen-week sonogram. She’d gone to her last monthly checkup and had an ultrasound. According to the doctor, it was early and the baby had been shy, not revealing its sex, but the doctor had assured them they’d know at the next appointment.
Despite her saying she’d meet Jared at the obstetrician’s, he insisted on coming to the museum and going with her to the office. She checked out with her boss and took the stairs down to the sidewalk on the street level to wait for Jared.
The temperature was in the mid-seventies and a warm breeze blew around her. As usual, the city streets were busy with people walking past in both directions.
A man with a beanie and a green army jacket slowed as he passed, bumping into her. His dress sense was odd for this time of year.
She stepped aside, but he eased closer. “Tell your brother if he talks, he’s a dead man and you’re next.”
Before she could look up at his features, he dipped his head and took off, leaving her with nothing to describe but his clothing.
His warning settled into her bones and she realized Jared was right. Whoever her brother had pissed off was a danger to her, too.
Shaking, she was relieved when Jared pulled up to the curb in his Land Rover SUV, the large, luxury car with plush leather seats that heated her butt and the most comfortable vehicle she’d ever been in. She rushed over and yanked open the passenger door before he could climb out and do it for her.
She’d locked herself inside, leaving Jared staring at her, eyes wide and filled with alarm.
He stretched his arm toward her seat. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
She glanced at her shaking hands and repeated what had just occurred. “And after threatening me, he walked off before I could see his features.”
“Dammit!” He slammed his hand against the steering wheel. He put the vehicle in park and reached over, hugging her awkwardly due to his seat belt and the center console, but she took comfort in his familiar, always sexy smell and the way he wrapped her in his arms.
“Are you okay?” He settled back in his seat and studied her, as if he could see through her skin to the trauma beneath. And from the way her insides still trembled, maybe he could.
She nodded, twisting her fingers together in her lap.
“Okay. Here’s what we’re going to do.”
She glanced up at him for answers because she hadn’t a clue.
He looked at his gold watch, then placed his hand over hers. “We’re going to call and reschedule the doctor’s appointment. Then we’re going to get you a cup of tea to relax you and a muffin for your blood sugar.”
She loved how he looked out for her. Despite all her internal warnings, she’d grown used to his bossy but caring nature.
“And then we’re going to see Remy,” he said.
“Remy? Your brother who owns The Back Door?” she asked.
Jared nodded. “Remy, the former NYC cop and current private investigator, who also happens to co-own the bar. We’re going to tell him what’s going on and have him find out what your brother has gotten himself involved in. I refuse to have you in danger because Dan is spiraling.”
Gratitude wound through her and she swallowed over the lump in her throat. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do if I was alone in this.”
He squeezed her hands tighter. “You’re not . And you never will be again.”
***
Jared and Charlotte sat across from Remy in his office. Pictures of Remy and Raven were on his desk and family photos hung on one wall. On the other side of the desk was Zach’s wife’s picture and photos of his partner’s family on the opposite wall.
Beside him, Charlotte fidgeted in her seat, her nerves obvious.
Remy steepled his fingers in front of him and studied them both. “What’s wrong, and I’m asking as your brother? You both look like you’re about to jump out of your skin.”
Jared covered Charlotte’s hand with his. “Her brother got involved in some kind of trouble and she was threatened outside her place of work.”
His brother pulled up his iPad and tapped the screen a few times. “Charlie, give me whatever details you have about your brother, starting with his name and age.”
“Dan Kendall. Daniel. Thirty-two.” She hesitated and Jared squeezed her hand, encouraging her to go on. “He’s been in and out of trouble most of his life,” she said. “You’ll find he has a record. Petty theft, drug possession.” She bit down on her lower lip. “He’s on drugs. I don’t know what kind, where he gets them or what he owes. But he told me this trouble goes beyond owing money. And the guy who threatened me said to tell my brother if he talks, he’s a dead man. And I’m next.” Her voice shook as she repeated the message.
“You’ve got to find out who Dan’s involved with,” Jared said.
Remy nodded. “Can you describe the guy?” he asked Charlotte.
“Only what he was wearing. A blue beanie, green army jacket, and jeans. I noticed because it’s so warm and he stood out. He bumped into me, talking while he did, and when I looked up he’d moved past me. I never saw his face.”
“Was his hair long? Did you see it beyond the hat?”
She closed her eyes, obviously thinking. “Brown,” she said. “Long and brown.”
He typed in the information and met her gaze. “I’m sorry you’re going through this,” he said in a kind tone.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
He inclined his head. “Now, I can handle the investigative work but given the threat and the fact that you want to live without worry, I’d hire someone to watch over you.” His gaze turned to Jared who inwardly winced.
Though Remy had phrased the words delicately, and despite it being exactly what he’d planned on telling Charlotte, Jared waited for the explosion.
“A bodyguard?” Her voice rose. “Someone trailing around after me twenty-four seven?”
Jared placed a calming hand on her arm. “I was thinking more like the times you weren’t home for the night.” He drew a deep breath. “And when I’m not around to take their place.”
“I have a doorman, so I guess that makes sense,” she said, thinking things through aloud. “So I’m safe alone in my apartment.”
As if he’d count on the unarmed guys downstairs in case someone really wanted to get to her. But he let her work her way through to the conclusion he wanted.
Remy cleared his throat. “Actually, the guys downstairs are just visual preventatives. It’s not like someone who wanted to hurt you couldn’t get past them.”
Her eyes widened and those gorgeous, pouty lips parted. “I’m not safe in my own home? I have kids and… dammit. I can’t have them over until this is resolved.” Frustrated tears welled in her eyes.
“You could be perfectly safe as long as someone who could handle themselves was with you,” Jared said.
Remy drummed his fingers on the desk, his mouth turned upward in a smirk.
His brother either thought Jared was using this situation to get closer to Charlotte or he understood him at her apartment, or vice versa, would accomplish the same thing.
“I sparred with Remy for years.” Jared felt confident in his ability to protect himself and Charlotte, at least in hand-to-hand fighting.
She shook her head as if to clear it. “What are you saying? Just spell it out.”
He glanced at Remy. “Give us a minute?”
His brother nodded. “Take all the time you need,” he said, and strode out of the office, closing the door behind him.
“I agree the girls should stay with Noah and Fallon until this is resolved. You’d have a bodyguard during the day and me at night until your security arrives in the morning to see you to work.” He bluntly spelled it out for her. “I won’t risk your safety, period.”
She rose and paced the small room. “It’s not like being with you is a hardship, but I don’t want to put you out.”
She hadn’t shot down the idea out of hand and that was a good sign. “I honestly don’t mind.” He stood and walked over to where she looked out the window at the parking lot. “If it makes you feel better, you could stay with me.”
Her silence weighed heavy around him, so he picked up on something else she’d said. “Being with me isn’t a hardship, huh?”
She turned and met his gaze then, a smile on her face. “No, Mr. Huge Ego, it’s not a hardship. I just hate turning our lives upside down because my brother can’t get his shit together.” She dipped her head and said, “I’m sorry. I know you didn’t sign up for this.”
He strode over to her and stepped so close, he backed her against the wall beside the window. Lingering notes of her perfume, a warm, sensual scent, reached his nose and his body responded despite the time for arousal being all wrong.
“I signed up for you. And I refuse to risk your safety, so you have a choice. A bodyguard twenty-four seven or me at night. You decide.” He drew a deep breath and let it out again. “Besides, it’s not like being with you is a hardship either.” He grinned and it broke the tension.
“Bossy man,” she said, but treated him to the most genuine smile he’d seen since picking her up earlier. Then she reached up and stroked his cheek. “I choose you,” she said, repeating his words back to him.
The knot in his stomach eased.
“But I have two conditions.” She held up her fingers in a V.
“Name them.”
“I stay by you so it’s me that has to pack up and be inconvenienced, not you. And we already agreed on this but I don’t bring the girls home until I know for sure it’s safe.”
He nodded, unable to argue with either point. “Done.” Before she could respond, he braced his hands on her thickening waist, loving the changes in her body, thanks to their child, dipped his head, and pressed his lips to hers.
She moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck, accepting the kiss. But it was also the fact that she trusted him to keep her safe that did something for him and he deepened the connection. His tongue wound its way around hers, then stroked the inside of her mouth until she was rubbing up against him like a kitten, her body seeking his.
A knock on the door interrupted the moment. “Fuck my brother,” he muttered and resumed his assault, but a second knock had her slipping away from him.
He glanced over to find her touching her well-kissed lips. He started for the door and flung it open. “What?” he barked, expecting to see his oldest sibling.
Instead, it was Raven.
Her gaze flew from him to Charlotte, and her cheeks flushed pink at the realization that she’d interrupted. “I just thought I’d see if you or Charlie wanted something to eat.” She waved at Charlotte who now stood behind him. “But I think I’m needed at the bar. Let me know if I can get you anything. Bye,” she said and was gone in an instant.
Charlotte groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Mortifying,” she said once she’d removed them.
“Nothing those two haven’t done in here before us,” he assured her.
“That is not the point!” Her own cheeks were beautifully flushed. “I need to call Noah and explain all this to him,” she said on a sigh.
He nodded. “I’ll give you some privacy and meet you out front.” He leaned over and brushed her lips with his.
When he lifted his head, her eyes were glazed and he grinned. “Hang in there, sweetheart. Nothing will happen to you. You have my word.”
While she talked to Noah, he called Alpha Security and arranged for a female bodyguard, hoping that would make Charlotte more comfortable being protected during the day. He’d take over at night. He refused to take her safety for granted.