“His name is Kurt, and he’s moving into your place.” Aiden waited patiently.
I frowned. “I take it I have a bodyguard now?”
“Yep. Named Kurt. He’s part of my team, but his only job from now until we take Barensky down is protecting you. That means he shadows you at all times, so you’re going to need to figure out a way for him to work at the law firm. I can get him credentials as a PI, if you want. That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.”
Once again, my lungs wanted a different job than allowing me to breathe. “You can’t make these decisions for me, Aiden. I mean it. Knock it off.”
His left eyebrow rose. “Do you want to be safe?”
“Yes,” I muttered.
“Do you mind if I provide a bodyguard until this is all over, considering a dead body was found on your porch?” His reasonable voice was going to get him punched in the face.
I swallowed. “I do not mind.” I wasn’t a moron, for Pete’s sake. I just wanted to be included in the decisions.
“Okay. Then we’re agreed. Kurt will be there tonight because he’s coming from Montana right now.” Aiden dug his phone from his back pocket, swiped the screen, and showed me a picture of a blond guy with a full beard. “This is Kurt. Don’t open your door for anybody but him.”
Kurt was good looking with a lazy alertness in his hazel eyes. “No problem,” I said.
Aiden turned for the door. “Look pissed when we go out.”
“No problem,” I said, meaning it.
We opened the door and nearly stumbled into Saber.
Aiden paused. “What’s up?”
Saber didn’t look my way. “Barensky’s men are here. Now.”
I looked down at the parking lot at the same time Aiden did to see two men there not dressed like the others. They were in dockers and golf shirts, looking like tourists or accountants.
Aiden nodded. “All right. I’ll meet with them right now. You take Anna home. This is good. They can see her leave on your bike.”
Saber looked at me. “Try to look both angry and sad.”
“Throw in scared, and that’s exactly how I feel,” I said quietly.
“That’s because you’re smart,” Saber said. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 19
Saber dropped me off, and I found my cousin waiting on my porch and reading the paper.
“Quint,” I said, hurrying toward him and trying to banish the feeling of impending disaster swamping me. Aiden was meeting with henchmen of a bomber right now, and it was hard to concentrate on anything else.
Quint smiled and stood. “Hey. So. Nice picture.” He flipped the newspaper around to show me a front-page picture of the food fight from the day before, and it included Nick leaning over, lines of pain on his face. Tess and I were in the background, both covered with pastries. The headline read:“Prosecuting Attorney Gets Derailed by Albertini Disaster Train.”
I groaned and took the paper to read about the food fight and my involvement. “Your girlfriend is always so good about mentioning that I’m a partner at the Bunne & Albertini Law Firm.” It was as if Jolene wanted to drive the firm into the ground. She really didn’t like me. “I doubt we’ll have as good as a result from a food fight as we did from a bar fight.” And considering Nick wanted to run for office someday, his getting caught in silly situations like this was not good for him. I could see his Grams arguing that Nick and Tessa really shouldn’t date.
Quint took the offending paper away. “Jolene is not my girlfriend, and she actually likes you. Unfortunately, this makes good copy. Stop getting in fights and you won’t have to worry about it.”
“That’s easier said than done,” I said, walking to my door to unlock it.
Quint whistled and Zena bounded around the cottage.
I gave him a look. “You brought your dog to butter me up?” I allowed Zena inside and then followed her as Quint did the same.
“Kind of. I was hoping you’d watch her for a few days. Jolene and I are going to the hot springs up north.” He shut the door and managed to keep a straight face.
