“Witch, how are you?”
“I’m fine, Mr. Dupart. Thank you for asking.”
Troy harrumphed. “Between the antibiotics and the rabies shot, she’s sick to her stomach.” As Troy was talking, Eric Seton, facility director of the San Diego health center, boarded the plane.
“C’mon, let’s get you out of here,” Julian said.
“Knock it off. I can disembark under my own strength,” Troy snapped.
Julian raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I’m sorry. It gets…” Troy sighed.
“Old. I’m sorry.”
Once on the ground, Troy’s eyes concentrated on Eric and Tim helping Gwen come down the stairs. “This shouldn’t have happened.”
“She’s your security. Her primary job is to protect you, and she did it well. She’ll be okay.” Julian walked over to Gwen. “Rough first day?”
“Not my worst, Mr. Dupart. I’ll be fine.”
“Call me Julian. Let’s get this convoy moving. Dinner is waiting.”
* * *
Julian drove the Navigator,while Matt Ciminelli, head of his family’s security team, 3-Sierra, rode shotgun. Troy and Gwen sat in the middle seat, while Eric, Tim, and Eric’s driver followed in his truck.
“Julian, I don’t want to put you and Eric out,” Gwen said.
“You aren’t putting me out. And as for Eric, I already have an in-house PA. He has ulterior motives; he’s dating Pattycake. She’s at the house with my niece and nephews, visiting,” Julian grumbled.
Troy burst out laughing. “Gwen, Pattycake is Julian’s baby sister. I bet Dupart family dinners are fun. Julian has four brothers. Ciminelli, you can laugh.” Matt stayed stoic. “How are Holly and Sadie?”
“Sadie is getting bigger every day—her heart is healthy. Holly is cranky, but she’ll be happy to have fresh company.” Julian beamed as he pulled through his gate and drove to the front of the house.
“This isn’t a house; it’s a castle.” Troy peered through the window.
“Hey, you get a housing allowance too. And wait till you see your office. Owen has been having a great time. Yours too, Gwen.”
She crunched her brows. “I only found out my position on the plane.”
Troy shook his head. “Not quite, and you’ve been promoted to first deputy executive,” he whispered.
Gwen’s hand flew to her mouth. “Now you’re teasing.” She looked at his face. “You’re not?”
“No.” Troy opened the door and stepped out while Matt helped Gwen out from her side.
The door to the house flew open, and out flew a ball of energy in the shape of a five-year-old girl with long black pigtails and pink bows. She stopped short at the sight of Gwen and Troy, curling around Julian’s leg. Troy watched as his friend crouched down and whispered something in her ear. She let go of Julian and walked over to Troy.
“Hey, Princess, it’s good to meet you in person.” Troy smiled.
“Uncle Troy!” She jumped up and down. “I got the baby lion. Thank you.”
“Uncle Ice and I are picking a date to take you to the zoo, when I’m all better.” He crouched down beside her and opened his arms for a hug, biting back the pain the position caused.
“You look different on the TV. Daddy says you have to have an operation. Dr. S is nice. Dr. Ethan can be grumpy. Eric and Trish are nice. And so are Terry and Logan. They take care of me and Mommy. They are sneaky with shots. And—”
Troy stood and caught Julian’s eye, placing his hand on his heart. “Thank you for telling me.”
