Chapter 21 #2
“Seven. And that’s if we can get the warrants raised based on the little we have. Mr Smith’s solicitors have already been in touch and he has, as you might imagine, quite the formidable team.”
“Like he can afford to pay them,” I muttered darkly. “Okay, so what do we do until then? Just hope he doesn’t show up?”
“I’d suggest increasing your security detail,” Jewiss said, her gaze sweeping over the many candidates in the room. “Perhaps switching to a new location would be a good idea. One he’s not familiar with.”
“We’ve got it from here,” Corey said suddenly, standing up. “Let me show you out.”
Betty frowned at him as he returned. “Why did you make them leave? We were trying to sort out what we’re going to do.”
“With all due respect, ma’am, they aren’t going to be any help.” He tilted his head apologetically. “Moreover, I don’t really trust them. If we’re going to find a safe place for Arlo to hunker down, I’d prefer to keep that knowledge limited.”
My lips twitched at Corey’s formal language. I hadn’t known he could string together so many words at a time.
Like he could read my thoughts, Jack leaned in. “He might hide it, but Corey was born with a silver spoon up his arse. Went to Oxford and everything.”
I tried not to shiver at the feel of his hot breath on my ear. Now wasn’t the time to be thinking of things like that.
Like him whispering other things to me. While he thrust inside me.
That’s literally never going to happen.
“I’m with Corey,” Silas said. “Fuck the police.”
I grunted my assent along with Kai, Ollie and Luca.
“Okay, so, Arlo, you need to lie low somewhere for a couple of weeks with a bodyguard while we explore other avenues,” Betty said. “I refuse to believe there’s nothing that can be done, but while we’re looking into it, I’d feel better if you were somewhere safe.”
“I have a property he can use,” Corey said. “It’s a cabin in West Wales. Completely off the grid. No one knows about it.”
“He’s right about that,” Will said, brows raised. “I certainly didn’t fucking know. You’ve got a country retreat and you’ve been holding out on us? Rude.”
Someone kicked Will under the table, making him hiss. From the glare he levelled at him, that someone was Alex.
“It’s secure. State-of-the-art alarm system, proximity detection, cameras everywhere. You won’t find a safer place.”
Betty pursed her lips. “Arlo, what do you think?”
For starters, I was pissed that I was being forced from my own home, especially somewhere so fucking remote. But really, what other choice did I have? “Fine by me.”
“Our team at Phoenix can offer a guard,” Jack said, not looking me in the eye. “It’s the least we can do considering this happened on our watch.”
“I can do it instead, if you’d rather,” Simon said, his eyes meeting mine. “But if I’m being completely honest, Phoenix might be better equipped. Doesn’t matter how skilled I am, they were in the SAS. You can’t ask for better candidates.”
That was true.
“So, who do you want to go with you?” Jack asked. “Corey, Alex or Will?”
My head wasn’t the only one to swivel to him in surprise. “What about you?”
Jack’s lips parted. “I…I didn’t think you’d want me.”
I didn’t, did I? Up until a few moments ago, I would’ve agreed with Jack. But hearing the words from his mouth had me reconsidering.
“Excuse us,” I said to everyone else, tugging on Jack’s sleeve. “We need a minute.”
Quiet conversation broke out behind us, fading as we slipped into the living room.
I didn’t sit. I felt like I needed to be on my feet for this. “What are we doing, Jack?”
I expected him to brush the question off, to insist this was just about his job. But to my surprise, he didn’t.
“Fuck if I know.” He sighed. “This isn’t how I imagined seeing you again. And believe me, I’ve imagined it.”
My heart started to tap-dance. “You have?”
“Of course.” Jack tilted his head to the side. “Why’d you think I reached out to you? I’ve got some stuff I want to say. Need to, if I’m being honest. Now obviously isn’t the time, but when this is all over, I’d love the chance to sit down and have a conversation with you.”
My mind was reeling. Since when did Jack want to have a conversation? Finding a four-leaf clover was easier that getting this man to open up. “Wait, I thought you messaged me because you found out about the stalker.”
“No, I sent that before I found out. But I would’ve sent a follow-up message about the stalker if you hadn’t blocked me. Not that I blame you,” he added, seeing my eyes narrow. “I don’t deserve any more chances with you, Arlo. God knows I’ve wasted enough of them.”
“But is that what you want? Another chance?”
He stepped closer. Just one step. “Arlo, I’d do just about anything to have another chance.
These past few months—hell, past few years—have broken me in ways I didn’t think were possible.
Maybe it was for the best though. Maybe I needed to see what I was losing by not pulling my head out of my arse. ”
My lips twitched. “So it’s not still up there?”
“I don’t think so. I’m ready to talk whenever you are.
Obviously, we can wait for this whole situation to be over.
I don’t want you under extra pressure. You can take one of the others to the cabin instead if you like.
Whatever makes you most comfortable. I won’t be offended. Your happiness comes first, Arlo.”
“That’s a change from before.”
Jack winced. “I deserve that. Believe me, I never meant to hurt you. Everything I did was with the intention of making you happy. My heart was in the right place, even if my actions didn’t show that.”
“And where’s your heart now?”
“In your hands, Arlo,” he said softly, his voice trembling. “Right where it’s always been, even if I didn’t know it.”