I turned and scowled at Austin leaning against the doorjamb. “Where are they?”
“Laundry.” He pushed away from the door and smiled. “Take these.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “What’s your game, mister?”
“No game. Just ibuprofen for your head.”
“No, notthat,” I said, taking the pills from him and swallowing them without water. Gross. “Why are my clothes in the laundry? I’m going to have to wear them home, right?”
He shook his head and opened his walk-in closet.
I noticed my suitcase leaning up against the inside wall and made my way to it. “Why is this here?”
“You’re staying with me for a few days.”
“What? Why?”
Austin sat on the edge of the mattress. “There’s been a development that I’m uncomfortable with, and since I know you’ll be safe here, you’re here.”
“What kind of development?” I faced him again. “And if you say ‘club business,’ Austin, I swear to God, I will kill you.”
He gave me a slight smile. “I found Steven.”
“I’m sorry?”
“And your money.”
“What?” I squeaked.
“I also discovered there’s a ten-million-dollar kidnap and ransom insurance policy on you.”
“What?”
“Steven offered you up as an alternative to returning the money he stole from you.”
“What?” I said again, only this time it was barely a whisper.
“Come here, baby.”
I went to him immediately.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me between his legs. “I need to talk to your father and brother. I have no idea if there’s even a threat yet, but I’m not happy that Steven knew about the insurance and offered it up to me at all, let alone so quickly. For the time being, I want you here where I can protect you.”
“Steven was at the club?”
Austin nodded.
I looped my arms around his neck. “That’s why you locked me up.”
“Partly,” he said. “There are other things going on that I can’t tell you about, but if it involves you, baby, I won’t keep that from you. I was being pulled in a few different directions last night and I knew if you were in my office, you were safe.”
“Austin.” I sighed and dropped my forehead to his. “I can’t say I liked the way you did it, but I will give you a little grace since you were trying to protect me.” He smiled, and I shook my head. “But... and this is a big but, so hear me here, honey. If you ever do anything like that again without talking to me first, I will cut you.”
He chuckled. “I hear you.”
“Come to dinner tomorrow... ah, tonight. You can talk to my brother and dad then.”
“They won’t mind?”
