“And you,” he pointed out, that calm slowly slipping away. “They want you dead too. Shit, Forest.” He turned to Jordan.“He’s staying with me until this is resolved. I want Micah on him whenever he leaves the building.”
“Watch yourself,” Jordan growled.
“Hey,” Hartley said softly, reaching for Jordan’s arm. “Sheldon’s right. We need Forest protected.”
“Jesus, who the fuck gives the orders around here? I might as well pack it in and let all of you lead because you sure as hell don’t need me. Just make all the orders and let everything fall into place.”
“You can’t be serious. You’re pissy because Sheldon’s looking out for my brother?”
“No, I’m pissy because this is my goddamn building and family. My fucking guards. I should be the one giving the orders.” Jordan’s gaze speared mine. “Forest, I’m going to send Barry and Micah to your apartment to pack your shit. Welcome to Hotel Altair, where apparently I’m a big pushover and everyone does as they please. With a threat to your life, you get a full-time guard. Bitch about it all you want. I don’t give a shit. Is everyone happy now?” he yelled.
Sheldon crossed his arms. “Forest can’t go to work. Can you call JJ and ask him not to fire him?”
“What?” I yelled. “I’m going to work. I’ll have Micah with me. That’s good enough. I just started that job. I’m not about to call off already.”
“The fuck you aren’t.”
I reared back, staring at Sheldon. “I might let you lead in bed, but I won’t let you dictate my life.”
“More than I needed to know,” Vail muttered as Hartley said, “Ew.”
“Oh, be quiet,” I told them. “There has to be some middle ground here. Not only are you making me move in, which is fine, whatever. I can deal with sleeping in Sheldon’s bed. If that means he’s with me more, where I’ll know he’s safe, great. Packmy stuff. But I have to work. If not for the money, for my own damn sanity.”
“As much as I want my brother safe, I get what he’s saying,” Hartley stated. “It’s not easy being restricted from everything. Forest isn’t even in a customer-facing role. He’s tucked away in an office. If someone wanted to get to him, they’d have to go through others first.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Hart.”
“I’m not done. You’re getting a second guard. I might be on your side about working, but you’re going to be safe about it and only travel in one of the Navigators. While we’re at it, Sheldon should be behind the wheel of an SUV and not on his bike.”
“Excuse me?” Sheldon asked. “I’m not staying off my bike. It’s faster and more maneuverable than any car going through Dremest. I’ll be fine. This isn’t my first time getting a death threat.”
“Is that supposed to be comforting?” I asked.
He shrugged.
Jordan started rubbing his temples as the elevator opened. Lane and Raiden stepped out with clothes askew.
“What happened?” Lane asked.
“I’m sorry,” Jordan said calmly. “Were you busy fucking while we were up here trying to figure out more ways to put me in assisted living since I’m no longer needed?”
“I’m not sure if you want me to lie or if I’m supposed to answer at all.”
Raiden stepped up behind Lane and slowly put his hand over Lane’s mouth. “Shhh.”
“Reghan,” Jordan growled.
“Barry is briefing Micah and also assigning Winnie to Forest’s detail, sir.”
“Good.”
“Winnie?” I asked. That was a name I hadn’t heard before. Jordan had been in the process of bringing more women on.
“She’s quickly working her way up,” Raiden said. “Think Kayli minus the innocent look.”
Jordan sighed and leaned heavily on the back of the couch. “Sheldon, do you have any idea who this could be? I know it’s a long shot, but any inkling?”
“I don’t keep a spreadsheet of the people I kill if that’s what you’re asking. I wish I knew.”
