“Yes.” I start digging them out of my purse.
“Put them on,” he says tersely, and starts the car. I slide them on and stare out the tinted windows of the SUV as he drives. Questions are crowding my head, so many it feels like my skull will burst, but I know Alex doesn’t want me distracting him, so I press my lips together and try to rein in my impatience.
I see no sign of my own vehicle during the ride to my apartment, and after a few turns I realize Alex isn’t taking a direct route. My hands clench together in my lap, the only outlet for the nervous tension coursing through me. There’s a headache building behind my eyes.
I’ve had very little contact with my father since my parents divorced when I was eight. He didn’t even ask for visitation rights, probably because he was too busy building his business empire and starting a new family with his new wife. He’s not my favorite person, to put it mildly. I can’t imagine what kind of threat would make him hire security for me.
When we finally reach my complex — a small, nicely landscaped property with a collection of one-story condos — Alex stays in the car with me while he checks in with Lucas. Only after he gets the green light do we exit the SUV and move swiftly to my building.
Lucas meets us on the way and the two of them get me inside. By now it really feels like my head is going to explode, but I try to keep it together and remember my manners. “Something to drink? Water? Something stronger?”
They both shake their heads without a word. “Right. You’re working. Well, I’m having a drink.” I get out my single-malt scotch, pour myself a finger, and toss it straight down. I’d like to have another, but I should keep my head clear to deal with whatever they’re about to tell me.
“All right,” I say, turning to face them. “Let’s have it. What dire emergency has caused my father to remember I exist?”
“Your father,” Lucas says somberly, “has received what he considers a credible threat. He’s asked us to provide protection for all his children, including you.”
I take a moment, parsing what he’s said. “Do you consider it a credible threat?”
“We’re assessing it. For the time being, we’re treating it seriously.”
I frown at him. “So you don’t even know at this point if there’s any actual danger?”
“We’re assessing it,” he repeats.
“Well, in the meantime, I decline to be protected. You can let me know if you decide there’s an actual threat.”
“I’m afraid that’s not an option,” Alex says. “You’re not our client; your father is. You can’t fire us.”
Screw it. I turn around, ignoring them, and pour another drink. While I do, my mind goes back to the other part of what they’ve told me.
“He asked you to do security for all his children?” I ask when I’m facing them again. Lucas nods. “I assume that means your business isn’t just the two of you. You have other people on staff.”
“We also hire contractors when a situation calls for it,” Alex says. “But yes, we have regular employees beyond ourselves.”
“So you could assign someone else to me.”
Two sets of silver-blue eyes narrow to slits. “That isn’t going to happen,” Lucas says in a no-nonsense, end-of-discussion tone.
Dammit. Their hotness has not diminished one tiny bit since last night. No matter how mad I am at them, I still want to jump them. But I don’t intend to let them know that. “If you think this protection gig is going to change my mind, it isn’t.”
“We’ll do our jobs,” Alex says, “no matter what your attitude is. From now on, you don’t go anywhere without one or the other of us being with you.”
16
Deal With Us
Zoe
“That’s ridiculous!” I explode.
“It’s the way it is.”
I glare at them. “I want to talk to my father. How do I know you didn’t make this whole thing up?”
To my dismay, Lucas instantly pulls out his phone and pushes a button. “Mr. Kelleher,” he says a moment later. “Zoe needs to speak to you.”
He hands the phone to me and I take it, my stomach tying itself in knots. My father doesn’t just answer the phone for anyone who calls. If Lucas has him on speed dial, this is serious. “Hello, Father?”
“Zoe.” His patrician tones are as cool and reserved as ever. “I trust you’re well.”
“Yes. About the security—”
“They’re an excellent firm,” he cuts in. “I have every confidence in their ability to handle the matter.”
“Yes, but—”
“I’m afraid I’ll have to cut this short, Zoe; I have a social function to attend. Lucas and Alex can answer any questions you have. Give my best to your mother.”
Then he’s gone, and I hurl the phone at Lucas. He catches it neatly against his midsection before I close my eyes, battling the familiar rage that rises up to choke me. You broke her heart, you bastard. I’m not giving her your anything.
When I open them again, the brothers are watching me with professionally impassive faces, but I think I see sympathy in their eyes. “Fine,” I say, making no attempt to hide the bitterness in my voice. “How does this work?”
“We’ll be adding a beefed-up security system to both your home and your workplace,” Alex says in a brisk, matter-of-fact tone. “Either Lucas or I will escort you to and from work, and anywhere else you go.”
“That’s really excessive,” I point out.
“Not if there’s a genuine threat.” Lucas’ tone isn’t merely firm and professional; he sounds stubborn. But it’s hardly surprising, given the way they’ve treated me all along.
“This is the perfect line of work for you two,” I say. “You not only get to to indulge your innate bossiness, people pay you for it.”