“We’re renting a unit first thing when the storage place’s office opens tomorrow, and then we’re going to pack her up. If you stop by in the evening, we’ll have plenty for you to lift and carry.”
“When doesheget back?” I haven’t wanted to ask because it’s not really my business, but I can’t pretend I’m not eager for Julia to dump her asshole husband. The sooner he returns from his business trip, the better.
“Thanksgiving.” Nicole makes a face, her distaste for Richard abundantly clear. “We’ll have her cleared out by then, don’t worry. It’s pretty easy to move when it’s just across the street.”
Across the street doesn’t seem far enough away from him. My brother’s words echo in my mind:Do whatever it takes to keep your pups safe.
I glance over my shoulder at where Julia’s drinking tea on the porch, looking a little lonely. I need to get back to her. But first, I need to make sure it’ll be safe for her to stay so close to Richard after she leaves him. “You guys have an alarm system?”
Heidi frowns at me. “No. Why?”
“Just thinking ahead. If you don’t mind, I’ll have one of my brothers come around to install some cameras and stuff for you. They have a security company.”
The two women exchange a look. “Do you really think that’s necessary?” Heidi asks, frowning. “He’s not a cartoon villain.”
I lower my voice so it won’t carry to Julia. “We can agree he’s abusive, right? Emotionally, financially…she says he’s not violent with her, but this is the type of event that might trigger him. She’s pregnant with someone else’s children. She’s leaving him. If he’s angry, he might take it a step too far. I want you all to be safe, that’s all.”
Plus, Richard Norman is a lot more than a garden-variety asshole. He’s an extremely dangerous individual with even more dangerous connections. I can tell Heidi and Nicole are hesitating, though. They don’t want to admit to themselves that it could go that far.
Nicole is the one who finally speaks. “Just curious, are you worried about her because we’re women? I assure you, I have way more self-defense skills than the average man. If Richard tries anything, I’ll protect her.”
Heidi nods. “She will. Nic is incredible. We got mugged once in Portland, and she put the guy on his back in two seconds flat.”
“Leg sweep,” Nicole adds smugly. She eyes me up and down. “I can show you if you want.”
I hold up my hands, laughing. “That’s okay. I have faith in your skills. But I don’t want to put you in that position. Plus, you aren’t always going to be here. I’d just feel better if we could keep an eye on the guy to make sure he doesn’t lash out.”
“Give us a minute?” Heidi asks. I nod and jog back over to Julia while they confer.
“What’s that about?” she asks, nodding toward them.
“Nothing. Logistics for your move.” I drop a kiss on top of her head. Maybe it’s pushing my luck to engage in PDA, but I’m feeling lucky, so I tip her chin up and kiss her on the lips, too. “You coming home with me tonight, pretty girl?”
She nods, cheeks pink. “Guess so, since my chores are done. Give me a minute while I grab some clean pajamas.”
My chest rumbles with happiness. “I like the sound of that.”
Heidi and Nicole give me the thumbs-up as I carry Julia to the Jeep. I guess that means they approve of my PDA. Or maybe it means they approve the security system. I’ll take it to mean both.
That night, we don’t build a pointless pillow wall. After I read her a bedtime story, she snuggles intomy chest, and I stroke her hair while we begin to doze off.
“You’re going to be a great dad,” she murmurs sleepily. “You’re so good at taking care of people.”
I kiss her forehead. “I wish you’d let me take more care of you.”
“I don’t have any panties that are granny enough for that,” she says cryptically. Maybe she’s dreaming already, because I can’t make any sense of it.
Sadly, I have to take her home in the morning because she has to rent the storage unit and do as much packing as she can before work. The rest of the day is a whirlwind. After running my own business and pitching in to support Conall’s pups, I haul Julia’s boxes to her storage unit and help Sean and Marc install a full security package at Heidi and Nicole’s.
After everything is up and running late that night, Ben stops by to train them how to use it. If they’re shocked by how extensive it is, they don’t let on. They seem to have come around on the idea. Nicole is even a little excited about some of the high-techbells and whistles, asking tons of questions and playing around with the interface.
As a final note, Ben drops three emergency buttons into Heidi’s open palm. “These will work anywhere,” he informs her. “Put them on your keychains or somewhere they’re always within reach. One press, and we’ll be there.”
“How much is this going to run us?” Heidi asks, her forehead creasing.
Ben waves off her question. “Friends and family rate.”
“He means free,” I clarify. “We’ve got it covered for as long as you want it.”
