“Your brother is about to be at your front door. Probably with several members of the PR team.”
I swung my legs over the bed, heaving myself towards my closet, where I threw a robe over my silky nightgown and stumbled down the hallway. “How bad is it?” I didn’t bother asking what it was. If my brother was involved, it had to do withone of us, and since Will was the most critical of us, I knew it was probably about me.
My first scandal. How delightful.
“It’s not bad. At least not in my opinion. Some people think you’re harboring a crazy man and using him for publicity.”
I groaned, grabbing a clip from my nightstand and throwing my dark hair up at the back of my head. “But we’ve not even gone to the media about Neal.”
“I’m not saying it’s reasonable. But we need to get out in front of it. I’ll let Will and his people get started. I’ll be there in thirty.”
“Bring coffee. Or chocolate.”
“I’ll have both.”
Hanging up, I tumbled from my bed, grumbling about nosy media and even more nosy siblings who thought everything was a bigger deal than it was. I flipped the lights on in the main living room, scuffling around my kitchen as I attempted to locate something to wake me up. I didn’t get halfway through pouring a bowl of cereal when a light knock sounded on my front door. Sighing, I moved to the door, flipping the locks. Immediately Will filled the doorway, his voice booming as he charged past me.
“We need to move fast, Pen.”
“Will, calm down.” I glanced down the small entry to the private elevators. No one else yet. I yanked my robe closed. Thank God for small miracles. “I’m sure it’s fine.”
“If we don’t move first, there’s going to be a news piece tonight on your attack. Not only will it expose the issues with safety and confidentiality within Madeline Media, but they will have to address the fact that your protector was moved into your house afterwards.”
I slowly closed the door, leaving it unlocked for the entourage that was no doubt coming soon. “Will, it’s going to be fine.”
“I don’t like this,” Will growled.
I popped my hands up on my hips, frustration growing in my chest as I rounded on my eldest sibling.
To my surprise, a voice echoed through the foyer with surprising strength. “You need to calm down.”
Will blinked, turning to find Neal standing in the door to his suite. He was in a pair of gray sweatpants and white tee, obviously having been woken up by the discussion Will and I were having. And while his curls were mussed from sleep, his expression was wide awake, eyes trained on my brother.
It took Will a moment to respond. During which I stepped closer to Neal, compelled by the way he slowly crossed his arms. “What did you say?”
Neal didn’t budge, his bare feet spread wide. “I don’t like the way you were talking to her.”
“I’m her brother.”
“All the more reason you should not be shouting.” Neal’s voice was level, low, and I took another step in his direction. “From the sounds of it, this is about me. No reason to be angry with her.”
Will blinked, looking between us. “I’m not mad at her.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” Neal suddenly moved forward, coming to stand closer to me with an ease that my brother watched closely.
I could see his mind whirling, his expression thoughtful as he regarded us. After a long moment, Will sighed.
“I’m sorry, Pen. I shouldn’t have come flying in.” Will’s apology was sincere, gentle, and I softened immediately. My brother’s overprotective side was something I’d encountered plenty. Whatever girl someday stole his heart would have her hands full.
I smiled, tucking a now-free strand of hair behind my ear. “Thank you for the apology. You still haven’t gotten to why this is such a big deal. People are attacked in Chicago all the time.”
“It seems like we were hiding something. We know those men were after you.” Will turned to Neal. “But why were you there?”
“I don’t have much of a home these days,” Neal began but then hesitated. When neither Will nor I responded, he begrudgingly continued on. “I used to live in that area. It’s comfortable. When I saw those men following Penelope, I felt like something was wrong.”
“You just happened to be there?”
Neal’s face was blank. “I just happened to be there.”
