“Yes. Please close the door.”
She placed the last materials into her desk drawer then walked around to face the two men.
“How did it go tonight? Did you get a good feel for the layout of the club and where you may be needed most?”
“Yes. Considering it wasn’t as busy as our Friday and Saturday crowd, I think we came up with a good plan of action. Whichever one of us is on the floor, we can communicate through the sleeve mics and earbuds,” Richie stated.
“I’m still in awe of that. Bringing in some of the techniques you used in the field are great. Monte said there’s never any interference or problems receiving messages.”
“That’s right. It’s saved a lot of us from getting our ass shot off,” Richie replied, and Susanna chuckled. She took a deep breath.
“I’m confident in both of your capabilities. Monte can’t say enough good things about you guys. I just have one concern.”
“Concern?” Carl repeated.
She looked them both over. They were big. They were tough and sexy men. Lots of women found them attractive. Her concern was their interest in Juliet.
“I noticed that the two of you seem interested in Juliet. I also saw you follow her down into the basement earlier by the bar.” She directed her comment toward both men but ended with her eyes on Richie. He squinted his eyes at her. He was tough, but respectful. She didn’t want to go beyond her boundaries here, but she needed clarification.
“We do our job, and any personal interests won’t interfere, Susanna,” Richie snapped back at her.
She took a deep breath and released it. Hadn’t dealing with BJ and Monte prepared her for dealing with men like this? They were used to being in charge and definitely used to submissive women.
“I’m not saying that, so please do not misconstrue what I am stating. Juliet is young, like my cousins. She’s twenty-two and has had a tough time. Like most of us, I guess. She can’t be pushed or manipulated. I’m her guardian, for lack of a better term. I will protect her with whatever I have, just like I will for the other Dixie Chix.”
“We have nothing but good intentions, Susanna,” Carl began to say.
“She’s a grown woman. We care about her and want to get to know her better. We won’t push her, but you should know better than anyone what kind of men we are,” Richie replied.
“If you’re anything like your cousins, then please slow down. If you care, then you’ll do just that.”
“Understood.”
There was a knock at the door, and Carl opened it up. There was Monte and BJ.
“What the hell is going on in here?” BJ asked. Susanna raised her eyebrows then looked at Carl and Richie.
“You see what I mean?”
They laughed.
“We got it, Susanna. Good night, all,” Richie stated. He and Carl shook their cousins’ hands then exited the room. Monte closed the door as BJ stalked toward Susanna.
“What was that all about?” he asked her.
“Nothing.” She began to stand up straight after leaning back against her desk, but BJ wrapped an arm around her waist and hoisted her up against him.
“Hey.”
“Hey yourself, woman. When I ask you a question, you best answer it.”
He gave her a squeeze.
“I was just going over the surveillance.”
“And?” Monte chimed in, standing next to her. She looked at him and debated telling them.
“I wanted to know their intentions with Juliet. That’s all.”