"Someone like me." It wasn’t a question.
“It’s literally your job. This meeting is merely a courtesy because I’ve spent more time with Ricardo lately, and he’s shared his vision with me. Otherwise, I’m out of it.”
Dario stared at me, his face expressionless. "Ricardo will cooperate if he wants this to work. Consider me on board to help.Draw up the formal documentation and I'll review it. We can get this moving soon if we don’t waste any time.”
Relief hit me hard at his words. "Sounds good. I'll have the paperwork ready by the end of the week."
"Excellent. Now tell me Pip’s role in all of this."
The change in subject caught me off guard. "What about him?"
"Heard you two live together now. That he turned down three contracts to stay local." Dario's eyes were sharp. "That's unusual for a freelancer of his status."
I kept my expression neutral. "He's found the arrangement beneficial."
"Beneficial." Dario's smile widened. "That's one word for it. He's good?"
"The best I've seen."
"And loyal? To Pharrell, I mean."
This was the real question. Dario was asking if Pip could be trusted, if his presence represented a security risk.
"Pip is loyal to his commitments," I said carefully. "As long as he's working with Pharrell, he'll fulfill his obligations. After that, he makes his own choices."
"But he's choosing to stay." Dario studied me. "Because of you."
There was no point in denying it. "Yes."
"Interesting." Dario finished his steak. "Make sure his loyalty to you doesn't compromise his effectiveness for Pharrell. We need him sharp, not distracted."
"He's sharp," I said with certainty.
"Good. Because Ricardo's plan might bring in some people looking to cause trouble. It would be good to have him supporting our security efforts."
I wanted to laugh at the suggestion. There was no way my boy would want to do anything like that. He wanted work that required bloodshed.
"I'll talk to him," I said.
Dario signaled for the check. "Do that."
We finished off discussing logistics and timelines once more, then parted ways in the parking lot. I drove home with my mind split between the project and the memory of Pip feverish in bed.
The house was quiet when I entered. I set my briefcase down and went straight to the bedroom, finding Pip exactly where I'd left him. Still asleep, still flushed with fever, but breathing easier.
I noted his water glass was empty.Good boy.I refilled it and placed it on the nightstand, then retreated to my home office to start on the email I needed to send Ricardo. The work helped focus my mind, giving me something productive to do while Pip slept.
An hour later, I decided to take a break to check on my boy. I found him leaning against the bathroom counter, looking pale and shaky.
"What are you doing up?" I asked, moving to steady him.
"Needed to pee." Pip swayed slightly. "And maybe throw up. Haven't decided."
"Come on." I guided him back to bed. "You should have called me."
"You were working. Didn't want to bother you." He collapsed onto the mattress with a groan.
"You're never a bother." I sat on the edge of the bed and pressed my hand to Pip's forehead again. Still warm but not as hot as the last time I checked. "The medication is helping. You need to eat though. When's the last time you had food?"
