"Practical measures. She doesn't go anywhere alone. One of us is always nearby, especially at closing. We vary her routineso he can't predict where she'll be. We install cameras at your place. Maybe the old house too, in case he goes looking for her there." I pause, weighing my next words. "And we make sure she knows the threat is real. She can't protect herself if she doesn't understand what she's dealing with."
Cole nods slowly. "She's not going to like that. Being watched all the time. Having her freedom restricted because of him."
"No. But she'll like the alternative less."
The unspoken third option hangs between us. The one where we don't involve lawyers or cameras. The one where Craig Burns has an accident somewhere between Seattle and Anchor Bay, and Gemma never has to worry about him again.
I've thought about it. More than I should. The Brotherhood has resources, connections, the kind of reach that could make a problem disappear if we wanted it to. And part of me wants it, wants to remove the threat permanently and watch Gemma finally breathe without fear.
But that's not who we are. That's not what the Brotherhood stands for, no matter how much the darkness in me wants to believe otherwise.
"We do this the right way," I say, as much to myself as to Cole. "We protect her, we document everything, and we let the law handle him when he inevitably screws up. Men like Craig can't help themselves. He'll cross a line eventually, and when he does, we'll be ready."
Cole meets my eyes. "And if the law doesn't handle him?"
"Then we revisit our options."
It's not a promise. It's not a threat. It's just the truth, laid bare between two men who would do anything to protect the people they love.
"I'll talk to the others," Cole says. "Set up a rotation. Make sure someone's always got eyes on her."
"I'll handle the conversation with Gemma."
"You sure? She's my sister. Maybe I should be the one to tell her."
"She's going to have questions about the report. Technical questions about what it means, what we can do with it. That's my territory." I pause. "And she trusts me. She'll take it better coming from me than from you."
Cole's expression shifts, awareness flickering behind his eyes. He's not stupid. He's seen the way I look at his sister, even when I'm trying not to. But he doesn't say anything, just nods and turns back to the bar.
"Talk to her today," he says. "Before the lunch crowd shows up. She's in the office working on invoices."
I find her exactly where Cole said she'd be, sorting a pile of invoices with a pen tucked behind her ear, reading them like they're the most fascinating things in the world. She looks up when I knock on the doorframe, and something warm flashes across her face before she controls it.
"Will." She sets down the papers. "I didn't expect to see you this early."
"We need to talk."
The warmth fades, replaced by wariness. She's learned to read those words as a warning, probably because Craig used them as a prelude to something terrible. I hate that I've just put that look on her face.
"About what?"
I step into the office and close the door behind me. The space is small, and my presence makes it feel smaller. I take the chair across from her, keeping the desk between us.
"The background check on Craig came back this morning."
Her face goes pale. "And?"
"He's done this before. There are complaints from other women, a restraining order from a previous girlfriend. He has a documented history of stalking and intimidation, and based onhis credit card records, he was in Anchor Bay two weeks ago. The same day the flowers showed up."
Gemma is quiet for a long moment. Her hands grip the edge of the desk, knuckles white, and I can see her processing what I've said. Fear, yes, but anger too. Resolve building behind it.
"So, we know for sure. He was here," she says slowly. "He drove all the way here just to leave flowers and send a message."
"Yes."
"And the other women. The ones who filed complaints. What happened to them?"
"They withdrew the complaints. Pressure, intimidation, the usual tactics. One of them moved across the country to get away from him." I lean forward slightly. "Gemma, this isn't going to stop. Men like Craig don't give up. He's going to keep pushing until something breaks."
