Anoomphis pushed out of my throat as my seatbelt tightens with the movement. “You don’t have to drive like we’re being chased by the boogie man.” My hands fly to brace myself on the dashboard and door handle.
“I have precious cargo that needs protecting, and the safest places to do that are the penthouse and RHL,” Rory returns. “And right now we’re heading to the penthouse.”
“But do you have to cut so many people off?” I question as another angry driver honks their horn at us.
I watch as Rory’s face lights up. “Are we bickering about my driving?”
My mouth turns into a confused frown. “I guess.”
“That makes us a real couple,” he surmises with a wide smile.
My brows lift, and my voice raises an entire octave. “That’s your criteria? We have to argue about how you drive?”
Rory sighs in content. “It’s a classic couple fight.”
“We need to be serious right now.” I remind him.
“I am,” he replies as he maneuvers around another taxi and pulls into the parking garage. He glides the car right into his spot, and the tires screech to a stop.
Hunter opens my door, pulling me from the car. Looking over his shoulder, I spot Luke and another man. He’s broad-shouldered and seems as solid as a rock.
“Who—” I start.
“No time for introductions,” Hunter interrupts, then turns his head to talk to the stranger and Luke. “Inside. Now.”
Hunter lifts me off my feet and sprints toward the private elevator in the corner of the garage. I yelp at his speed and wrap my arms around his neck. Rory, Luke, and the new guy are hot on Hunter’s heels with guns in their hands.
The elevator ride to the penthouse is dead quiet. I open my mouth a few times to speak, but I choke on the tension in the cramped space.
Once inside the penthouse, Hunter takes the lead, guiding us all into the living room. He motions between the stranger and me. “Calder, this is Savannah Foster. Savannah, this is Hollis Calder.”
“Nice to meet you,” I greet.
“Ma’am,” he politely returns with a slight southern drawl.
“He’s the Chief Security Officer at RHL,” Luke explains.
Hunter reaches under the lip of one of the end tables. I see his fingers move like he’s pressing buttons, then the center of the small table rises, revealing a stash of handguns and ammunition. They all reach for the supplies like hidden stashes of weapons are not big deal.
“How—” I shake my head, dislodging my question. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. You’re going to look into the Shepherd?” I ask Hollis.
“No,” Hunter answers as he checks the bullets in his gun. The other men follow suit, double checking magazines and racking their firearms. “He’s your personal bodyguard.”
My head whips toward Hunter, and my voice comes out with a squeak. “What?” My little outburst doesn’t get a reaction from anyone. They all continue as if I didn’t say a word.
Hollis slides his gun into the holster hidden beneath his farm. “My team will be here soon, sir. They were on an assignment in Queens.”
“Team?” I screech, “There are more of them?” Once again, no reaction.
“Police?” Hollis questions.
“Not this time,” Luke responds.
“Noted.” Hollis’ phone vibrates, and he checks it quickly. “I’ll go meet Brooks and Emmett downstairs and get them up to speed. We’ll set up a schedule.”
When Hollis is gone, I cross my arms and huff. “I don’t need someone hovering over my shoulder every second of the day.”
Rory tilts his head and lifts his hands, palms up. “You won’t. When you’re in the penthouse, they’ll be down in the lobby. When you’re at RHL, again, the lobby.”
