CHAPTER THIRTY #3
On one hand, Lachlan is thrilled that he has an ocean view, all this space and newness. In any other circumstances, Lachlan would be overjoyed, but he can’t unsee how easy it’d be for someone to climb inside, aim inside.
‘It’s going to be fine,’ Jules tries to reassure him. ‘No one knows we’re here.’
‘These clothes, they had them made for you, brought in special, right?’
‘So?’
‘So, that means anyone watching the place—’
‘No one’s watching the place.’
Lachlan scrubs a hand over his face. ‘They might be.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you’re a high value target.’
‘My father is one of the most powerful people in the world.’
‘Yeah, the thing about power is that without stability, it fails.’
Jules pulls Lachlan closer as he sits on the bed. ‘Come see me.’
‘I’m seeing you, sweetheart,’ he says, tone softer, watching as Jules lifts Lachlan’s hand up to kiss his fingers.
‘Do you still love me?’
Lachlan kneels before him. ‘I definitely still love you.’
‘How much?’
‘Dangerous amounts.’
‘Yeah? How dangerous? Maybe you should show me.’
Lachlan wants to kiss him, lean into the moment.
He wants it so much, and yet…
‘I’m going to need to move your bed away from the window and re-arrange the furniture so you’re not in any line of sight.’
‘Lachlan.’
‘I’m sorry, but it’s too exposed. A rookie in a raft offshore could tag you.’
‘What a sentence. Look, I know you’re good at your job, but it’s beautiful here.
’ Jules caresses Lachlan’s cheek, his fingertips lingering as they brush over his lips.
‘I’ve never seen the sea before. Even just touching it was the most amazing feeling.
I know it’ll be a hard few days, but we get to be here together. It’d be a shame to waste it.’
‘More of a shame to get shot.’
‘Y’know, you could try living in the moment with me.’
‘I’m absolutely in favour of you living, hence why—’
‘You should fuck me,’ Jules offers, sly and smug. ‘I’ll be quiet.’
Lachlan shoots him a deadpan look. ‘Oh, really?’
‘OK, you could keep me quiet.’
‘No.’
‘Did you just reject me?’
‘Oh and by the way,’ he adds, neatly dodging Jules’ question, ‘I don’t care what anyone says, no swimming in the ocean at night.’
‘There aren’t any sharks.’
‘Believe it or not, sharks are the least of my concerns.’
‘Still a concern, though?’
‘Obviously.’
‘You’re a dork.’
‘Yes.’ Lachlan kisses both of Jules’ hands, his precious knuckles that are slowly learning how to punch. ‘Huge dork, but please trust me. I just want to keep you safe, and this…’ he says looking around, ‘is not safe.’
‘I trust you,’ Jules sighs and then groans. ‘Fine, move whatever you like.’
Lachlan snorts.
‘I was going to anyway.’ He casts around, mentally planning. ‘Do not go out onto that balcony and don’t cross the room unless the curtains are drawn and the doors are closed, which they must be at all times.’
‘You’re lucky I like bossy, Bodyguard.’
‘And you’re lucky I love bratty.’ Lachlan kisses him. ‘Go freshen up.’
?
Lachlan rearranges the entire bedroom within the hour.
Jules’ bed, seating, even the side tables are all dragged away from the balcony side of the room and repositioned along the interior wall with direct access to the hallway. Nothing remains in clear view of the ocean-facing French doors. No reason for Jules to cross open sightlines anymore.
It looks… not especially pretty, Lachlan will grant, but it’s safer this way.
Once he’s satisfied with the layout, Lachlan locks the balcony doors, draws the curtains shut and tracks down housekeeping personally to make it clear that under absolutely no circumstances are Julian’s balcony doors to be opened for airflow or cleaning while Jules is staying there.
‘Sir, if you are worried about lizards—’
‘I’m not remotely worried about lizards,’ he half snaps, regretting it instantly. ‘Sorry. What’s your name?’
‘Paola, sir.’
‘Paola, I’m Lachlan, and I’m security, not sir.’ She smiles a little, visibly relaxes. Lachlan knows he comes off as intimidating, but he hates to make anyone feel uneasy, especially staff. ‘Would you do me a favour and tell me about the kind of drills you do?’
‘Drills?’
‘Where would you go if there was an emergency?’
‘Nothing bad ever happens here. It’s very safe.’
‘Can you show me the panic rooms?’
‘I’m not allowed down there, no one is.’
‘Just show me the door, please.’
Paola leads him to an unremarkable door at the far end of the mansion. It looks no different from any other until Lachlan tests the handle and is met with a soft rejection beep. His eyes drop instantly to the built-in fingerprint reader set flush against the metal.
‘Where are staff quarters?’
‘Behind the pool on the lower side.’
‘It’s a different building?’
‘Yes.’
‘Would you show me?’
‘All due respect, I have so much work to do today. We’re so stretched, I had to bring my cousin.’
‘You’re right. I’m sorry. Thanks for your help.’
‘No problem.’
She turns to leave.
Lachlan calls her back. ‘Paola. I’m sorry, just…’
She stops, eyeing him. ‘Yes?’
‘You brought your cousin?’
‘We do that sometimes.’
‘Are they vetted?’
‘What?’
‘Background checked.’
She makes a face. ‘He’s my cousin.’
‘Does Kessler vet and check the people you bring to help out?’
‘No one is checked like that here.’
Lachlan wants to scream. ‘Thank you.’