There he went, making more promises.
“Bodyguard?” Jaime’s eyes darted between Silas and Finn. “Like, someone will be staying here with me? All the time?”
Silas nodded. “Yes. One of our team members will be with you around the clock for now while we assess the potential threats. We’ll have to switch out who stays with you on occasion, but one of us will be assigned as your main detail.”
“Me. It’s me. I’ll be staying with you.” Finn nearly cut his friend off in his rush to clarify.
He knew Silas and Sheppard had been surprised by his offer to act as main security detail, but he’d played it off, citing his concern for Silas brushing up against the Salt Creek pack. Whichwas true, but he felt like an asshole for using his concern as a distraction. He just wasn’t ready to explain his other reasons.
Mainly, that he would go crazy if he passed up an opportunity to be close to Jaime, even in a professional context.
Jaime wasn’t keen on that idea, though. “Is that really necessary?” His fingers tangled in his lap. “I mean, does one of you really have to stay here all the time? If you set up the security cameras and everything, I’m sure I’ll be fine. I don’t need that part of the contract, you can give my brother his money back for that part.”
Finn and Silas looked at each other, then turned back to Jaime. Gently, Silas explained, “Everything is paid in full through the end of the trial, your brother Sam was adamant about that. We will do our best to keep a low profile and not impose. If you’re not comfortable with someone sleeping in a guest room, we can station the night shift detail in a van in your driveway—that’s no problem at all.”
Yes, it sure as fuck would be a problem.
“But even when the media frenzy dies down—and we are making calls about that right now—it’s not safe for you to be alone out here until the police know more about whoever was on the other end of that phone call,” Silas finished.
“No, no, it’s not about someone being in here. I won't make you sleep in the driveway. It’s just—” Jaime’s phone started buzzing in his pocket, and he scrambled to answer it. “Sam.”
His tone completely changed with the greeting, face shuttered. He seemed angry, and… hurt. It was similar to the way he’d assured Finn and Silas that he wasn’t an idiot, earlier. Jaime held the phone out as he spoke, like it was a video call.
“We’ll excuse ourselves,” Finn said, as he and Silas shifted and listed into each other, struggling against the plush cushions for enough leverage to heave themselves up.
“Is that them? Let me see them.”
Silas froze at the sound of Sam’s demand, and Finn knew his ears would have been perked if he were shifted.
Interesting.
Jaime sighed, irritated, and moved to perch on the coffee table in front of them, angling the phone so that they were all visible. Finn told himself that he leaned in to make it easier for them all to fit in the frame, not to feel the warmth coming off of Jaime.
Liar.
“Yes, it’s the security people you sent over.Without asking me first,” Jaime snarked.
“I’m sorry, Jaime. I got busy this morning and didn’t get the chance to call. I’m glad they are there with you. What are their names? Are you safe? Are you ok?”
“I’m fine. I was fine before. If you had called me first so we could talk about this, you would know that.” Jaime’s cheeks were flushed in anger. He turned the camera toward the couch, inadvertently leaning closer to Finn in the process.
His inner wolf preened.
Down, boy.
Get closer!
“This is Finn Winters, and Silas… I’m sorry, what was your last name?”
“Silas Granger. Nice to meet you, Mr. Lamont. Please call me Silas. If you prefer. We were just sitting down with your brother to go over the terms of the contract so we can begin the security sweep. We should have our technology expert out here by tomorrow to install everything.”
Well, now who’s Mr. Chatty?
At Finn’s raised eyebrow, Silas narrowed his eyes.
Finn turned back to the camera. “I’ll be leading the security detail. We were just discussing with Jaime whether he wouldprefer us to set up a van to conduct nighttime surveillance or whether he’d prefer we use the guest room.”
“The guest room is fine,” Jaime mumbled, ears turning pink.
