“I did,” Peter said. “What’s your schedule like for the next couple of days?”
There was a pause. “I’m just finishing up a job today, but other than that I don’t think Topgrunder has me down for anything specific. Why?”
“I need someone to head up a security team for Chad. There was a kidnapping attempt and until I’ve dealt with it I want someone watching out for him.”
“Someone tried to take puppy? That’s crazy,” Aiden said, ignoring Peter’s repeated instructions not to call Chadpuppy. “But yeah, if you set it up with my boss I’d be happy to take the job. You know you can count on me.”
“Thanks, Aiden. I appreciate it.” Peter let out a breath of relief. With Aiden watching Chad’s back he would feel much better.
“So what happened?” Aiden asked. “I mean… they obviously didn’t get him. Did he fight them off? Cause if so, I underestimated him.”
Peter grimaced. It wasn’t that Aiden didn’t like Chad—he just didn’t think very highly of him. Comparing their respective skillsets it was understandable, but it still didn’t sit well with Peter to hear Aiden talking about his mate so disparagingly.
“He kept calm,” Peter said, and Aiden’s responding silence spoke volumes.
“Be nice to him,” Peter warned, his voice suddenly coming out in a low growl.
“I’m always nice to him,” Aiden defended himself. “It’s not my fault he’s so prickly all the time.”
Peter sighed, but he didn’t contradict Aiden’s assessment. Chad had a tendency to get really defensive and easily offended whenever Aiden talked to him. He didn’t get that Aiden was just messing with him, and rising to the bait every time did him no favors.
Peter hoped he wasn’t making a mistake putting them together. But with Chad in danger and Merchant busy leading the investigation, there was no one Peter trusted more than Aiden to keep his mate safe.
“Just be professional,” Peter instructed.
“I will,” Aiden promised.
“Great. I really appreciate this, Aiden.”
They hung up the phone, and Peter had David call Aiden’s division head over at Topgrunder and request a meeting. Two hours later he was negotiating a full security package for Chad, his request to have Aiden in charge granted without hesitation.
It was a relief.
***
