Chapter 24 #2
“Because if I don’t get all the details right when Skyler asks me questions later, I’ll be in trouble,” Hudson says. “I figure if I can let her listen to the whole thing it’ll make my life easier.
“No you can’t fucking record it.” I shake my head.
I’m sitting in a private booth at the far end of the hotel bar with Asher, Hudson, and West.
Truth be told, I don’t want to be here. I want to be at the bookshop, watching her. Being with her.
But I also need to make sure she’s safe, which is why I’m here.
I’ve spent most of the day looking into Darien White, the man she lived with for three years. Growling at his mugshot, talking to my lawyer. Finding out that he has, indeed, been released on parole, and that he actually has a rap sheet as long as my fucking arm.
Both before and after he lived with Sadie. I fucking hate him for preying on her in her grief.
And I hate that she thinks this is her fault.
Which is why I called my brothers and West here. Because Asher runs a security company that can find out information a civilian never could, because Hudson knows people in high places and because West…
Well, West knows people in low places who can fuck Darien White up for a price. Which is what I’ll ask him to do if needed.
“Okay then, so what gives?” Hudson asks. “I’m guessing this has something to do with you walking out with Sadie last night?”
“Yeah, what’s with that?” Asher asks. “Are you two a thing now?” He has the look of a man who also knows he’s also going to be grilled when he gets home.
I take another sip of beer. After we woke up this morning, I drove Sadie back to the bookshop, walking in with her and making sure Romy knew to call me if anything happened.
“She’s staying at my place for a while,” I say, because that’s all I want them to know about us. I’m tired of hiding things from them. After this, I’ll be going to pick her up and bringing her home with me for the night.
Which she might think is over the top. But we’re friends and I’m taking care of her the way I know best.
“Staying,” Asher echoes. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
West sniggers. “Remember when Asher was staying with Francie?” he asks. “Stayed all night. And all day. He looked constantly exhausted from all that staying.”
“Fuck off,” Asher says. “And let’s not talk about how you stayed with our sister and pretended you weren’t.”
“Yeah,” Hudson says, looking suddenly uncomfortable. “Let’s really not talk about West and Eden. I still have damn nightmares about that situation.”
West just grins, because he’s completely under Eden’s thumb. “So back to Zach.” He lifts a brow at me. “You were holding her hand when you walked out of the bookshop. Do you know how long we analyzed that hand hold last night?”
I shake my head. “Haven’t you assholes got anything better to do than talk about me?”
“Nope,” Asher says. “You’re pretty much the main topic of conversation right now. I heard Skyler on the phone to Francie earlier, suggesting they go book shopping so they can grill Sadie.”
I rub the heel of my hands on my eyes. Jesus, they’re out of control.
“Nobody grills Sadie,” I say firmly.
“For somebody who’s not sure if he’s in a relationship with her, you’re pretty protective,” Hudson murmurs.
“I didn’t say we weren’t in a relationship,” I mutter, taking another sip of beer. God, I need a whiskey. But I need to drive and pick up Sadie more.
“You’ve been very clear that there was nothing serious between you,’” Hudson points out.
“You have,” Asher agrees, the little ass licker.
“I think he likes her,” West murmurs.
“Can you please behave like the adults you are?” I plead.
“I didn’t ask you here for a heart to heart.
I need your help.” I glance around, making sure we’re still alone at the far end of the bar, then lean in a little.
“She’s having trouble with her ex. That’s why she was so upset yesterday.
And why I took her home with me last night. ”
“What kind of trouble?” Hudson asks.
“Is she okay?” West adds, looking genuinely concerned.
“As okay as you can be when your ex-con ex-partner is threatening you.” I take a breath, leaning back in my chair, and unload the whole story to them. The one she told me last night, when her body was soft in my arms, and hair tickling my face as she spoke softly.
By the time I finish, the table is silent. There are no knowing glances, no amused grins. Even Asher stops tapping his fingers.
“Obviously we can let the security team on Liberty know he’s a threat,” Hudson says, his voice serious now. “We can also monitor who comes on and off the island and set up an alert. Can you get me his photo?”
I nod, my muscles relaxing slightly.
“I’ll do the same with the private landing,” West says, referring to the port at the north of the island that serves the resort area. “And the only way in and out by air is at the helipads. We can cover them too.”
“From the sounds of him, I don’t think her ex could afford a helicopter ride,” I say.
Asher fixes his eyes on me. “Ask Sadie to send me all of his details. Date of birth, last known location, anything she has. I’ll get my guys to do a full investigation. Find out where he is. Where he’s staying. We can have eyes on him at all times.”
And that’s what I needed to hear. It’s the big advantage of having a brother who owns a multi-billion dollar security company. If you need somebody traced, he’s got the people who can do it.
“I’ll get it all over to you tonight,” I promise, glancing at my watch. Because I need to see her, to have her close.
“What is he after, do you think?” Hudson muses. “Money?”
“Or maybe it’s about revenge,” Asher suggests. “It’s amazing how many men go crazy when they’re rejected.”
My chest tightens. “I don’t know,” I admit. “Maybe he sees her as unfinished business. Or maybe he has too much time on his hands.”
Asher lifts a brow.
“Whatever it is, we’ll make sure he doesn’t hurt her.”
I nod, feeling more relaxed than I have in the last twenty-four hours. “Thank you,” I say.
“No worries,” Hudson tells me. “We’re family. That’s what we do.”