6
Brooks
I guidedDarcy out the front door and around the warehouse I’d bought for our head office. The building wasn’t the typical kind people used for bodyguard services, but I’d never been the average guy. I liked to spice things up because if anyone understood what it meant to be different, it was me. The men and women I hired were fantastic at their jobs, though, and our bodyguards were sought-after. We took care of VIP clients, from actors to rich folks who thought someone was trying to kill them—and occasionally a few who actually did need our help.
Lemonade knew her way to the firing range, and with a few strong but quiet orders, she strode confidently, and all I could do was let her guide me and Darcy. My vision was nearly black today, nothing but shadows playing in a sea of darkness, but I hadn’t expected any less. My sight always grew worse after a seizure.
“I didn’t think you’d come here to find me,” I admitted, dragging him as close as I could. Darcy’s warmth was like sitting in front of a fire in a nice cozy cabin during a snowstorm. He drew me in, and I went willingly. It was difficult not to be caught up in his web, and everyone who thought of him as nothing but the Ice Prince didn’t know what they were missing, especially when he smiled. If I could have one wish, it would be to see his face again. I didn’t care if that was the only thing I ever saw because I could live with watching him forever, waiting for that smile to take my breath away like it once had.
“I didn’t think I would either,” Darcy said, his voice a soft lull that danced in time with the thumps of my heart. Whenever he was around he had my cock hard and my body thrumming. It was still difficult to believe I’d finally fucked him, pushed myself into his sweet hole and taken what I’d always wanted—except life had changed since the first time I’d decided I wanted him. I wasn’t the Courtesan’s employee any longer, and in a strange way I had more power than Darcy now. I truly was in charge, and I loved the control I had over him.
Lemonade pulled to a stop, sitting to signal we’d reached our destination, and I halted behind her. Taking a deep breath, I dropped her harness. She would stay until I called her, and there was every chance I’d need both hands out here.
“Boss.” Ford’s strong voice reached my ears and his hand landed on my shoulder, indicating where he was in my space. He’d worked for me from the start and knew what I needed. I considered him a close friend now, as well as my best bodyguard. His Special Forces skills came in handy for a lot of assignments.
I smiled at Ford and touched Darcy’s arm, slipping my fingers between his. “Ford, this is Darcy Winters. Darcy, Ford.”
Ford laughed and his hand moved from my shoulder. I assumed by the sound of palms slapping that they were shaking hands. “Pleasure to meet you, Darcy. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Darcy made a sound in the back of his throat, and I laughed, patting his arm with the hand not holding his.
“Don’t scare him off, Ford. I only just got him here.” I dragged Darcy as close as I could get him, afraid he’d run for the hills. His warmth against my side sent all sorts of euphoric sensations through me.
Ford chuckled again and touched my elbow to guide me forward. We’d earned enough trust between us that he was one of the few allowed to lead me without permission.
The fresh smell of the blooming lilies Levi had planted early in the spring reached my nose, and I breathed in an array of fragrances. I loved flowers because they were a simple joy I could easily appreciate. I’d never taken the time to cherish many things before I’d lost my sight, and now that I’d realized what I’d lost, I liked to stop and smell the… well, not the roses because I wasn’t a fan of those.
“Brooks, you remember Wren Carpenter.” Ford’s voice was right at my side as he pulled us to a stop, and I shook free of Ford to reach out my hand in front of me. Out of a choice between Ford and Darcy, I’d always choose to hold on to Darcy. I couldn’t stand the thought of letting him go again.
A strong hand took mine and shook, and I smiled politely. Wren had been our weapons dealer for a few years now, after his brother passed away from cancer. He’d quit the Marine Corps to take over his brother’s business.
“Pleasure to touch you again, Wren,” I said, an inside joke between me and a lot of the people I did business with. I couldn’t see them, and most people got awkward if I said it was nice to see them again, even if it was a figure of speech. It was easier to be amusing, one of the many changes I’d had to learn.
As expected, Wren laughed deeply. “You too, Brooks. Hello, I’m Wren.”
Darcy shifted slightly, and when Wren let go of my hand, I suspected they shook as well. “Darcy Winters. I’m here to consult on Brooks’ behalf.”
“You’ve never had someone else here,” Wren said, and I realized he was talking to me.
I smiled again and waved my hand. “Darcy’s a special someone to me. I wanted him with me so we could spend more time together.”
“Mm. I see.” I didn’t miss the interest in his voice, and I tensed, my grip on Darcy tightening. I let go of Darcy’s hand and wrapped an arm around his waist to claim ownership of him while I forced myself to continue smiling.
Ford cleared his throat beside me. I thought he might be trying to hide a laugh. I didn’t blame him. He’d never seen me react so protectively over someone because there’d never been a man that had me interested. My focus had always been on the day I’d get back to find Darcy and make him mine. Any sex I’d had with other men meant nothing—one-night stands that resulted in me forgetting a name. Darcy had always been different. It’d taken me a long time to get to this point in my life, when I felt ready to claim what was mine. I was successful and could take care of him the way he deserved. He didn’t need the Courtesan; he could live with me in luxury for the rest of his life.
The sound of feet shuffling in front of me told me Wren was backing away, and he laughed nervously. “Would you like to see the merchandise? I mean, not see—”
“Yes,” I said, interrupting the awkwardness. No matter how many times he came with new weapons, he always stumbled over words.
For the next half hour, I let Wren show Darcy and Ford the new guns. He explained the specs that came with the handguns, which ranged from new Glocks to Sigs to Smith & Wessons. When he pulled out the automatic rifles, I shook my head.
“We have no interest in those. We’re bodyguards, not soldiers.” We had a couple locked up in the weapons storage, but they were only taken out for a few shooting sessions on the gun range, which we stood next to now. It had four targets with bulletproof padding behind them to stop the rounds from going any farther. “Ford will test out the handguns and tell me what he thinks.”
“Of course. Pleasure doing business with you again, Brooks.”
I tucked my cane more firmly under the arm not holding Darcy and gave Lemonade the order to come. She rubbed up against my side, and I grabbed the harness. “Ford, choose the guns you think fit our company best and get five each. Put it on the business expense account, and Levi can handle it when he’s available.”
Ford patted me on the shoulder. “Sure thing, Boss. Are you going out now?”
