Pierce nodded. “That’s exactly what we’re telling you.”
She looked down and shook her head, like she was trying to organize information that didn’t want to fit neatly together. “What the hell is going on?”
“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Pierce said, keeping his voice even though his gut was anything but. “All we have right now are pieces.”
Charley looked at Ray. “Did your contact have photos of the men? Of the three names on the note? Could the guy in the picture that the colonel showed me be one of the names?”
Ray shook his head. “No. He didn’t have access to that part of the file. As far as the guy in the colonel’s photo being one of the names mentioned…well, that is a definite possibility.”
Pierce watched her carefully. She looked composed, but he could see the strain sitting just beneath the surface. The encounter with Reed had rattled her. She was handling it, but only because that was what she did. She held herself together, took care of everyone else, and kept moving. It made something in his chest tighten. He stepped closer and rested a hand lightly on her hip, not possessive so much as steadying.
“We already talked to Alex,” he said. “She knows what’s going on.”
Charley looked up at him. “She does?”
He nodded. “Ray got the call while she and Ace were nearby, so we filled them in.”
A tiny sound of relief left Charley, though it didn’t last long before worry moved back in. “Great. So now she’ll be stressing.”
Jessica gave her a look. “Sweetheart, all of us are stressing.”
That pulled the corner of Charley’s mouth upward for half a second.
Pierce used that small break in the tension to keep things moving. This next part, he wasn’t too sure how she would react, but after Ray, Ace, and Alex discussed it further, they all decided it couldn’t hurt. It was better to be safe than sorry.
Then, as if right on cue, there was a knock on the door.
Ray stepped over and opened the door, letting Seth, Cole, and Zane enter before closing the door again.
Pierce watched recognition flicker across Charley’s face as her gaze landed on the three men stepping into her office.
“Charley, this is Seth, Cole, and Zane,” Pierce said, introducing the men to Charley.
Charley offered them a small smile, which they returned with chin lifts and nods.
“We, meaning, myself, Ray, Ace, and Alex, thought it was for the best for now, at least until we can get more information, that someone we trust be here during business hours.”
Pierce waited a second for Charley to let that sink in. He knew when it did because she turned her gaze towards him and narrowed her eyes.
“You mean like security guards?”
Pierce nodded. “Yes.”
Charley held his gaze. “Pierce—”
“Nope. This isn’t up for a debate.” His tone came out firmer than he intended, and he made himself ease it back. But he needed her to understand that he and the others weren’t taking any chances. “I’m not trying to bulldoze you, sweetheart. It is just for precaution—for your safety and the safety of the other employees and clients that come in.” He wasn’t going to tell her that it was his idea.
She seemed to think about it. Her expression softened a little. “Okay.”
“Thank you,” Pierce said. And he meant it. With their relationship being new, he didn't want to overstep and come across as some overbearing caveman, but he wasn’t playing around when it came to her safety.
Ray motioned toward the three men. “You can trust these guys, and you won’t even know that they’re around.”
Charley looked at three men and nodded. “Okay. I’m good with it. If they want, I can set them up in the small conference room right at the front door. It has a glass wall to see into the lobby.”
“That will work fine, ma’am,” Zane said.
“Perfect. I’ll let the receptionist know. If you guys need anything, just let me know.
