Fern and I stared, confused. “Paulie wasn’t getting your food. Well, he might have been, but only as a cover while he sneaked someone in here.”
“How? I mean, there are supposed to be three people outside, right?” I questioned.
“Don’t worry, we’re about to go and find out. I’m going to leave Jarrid here. You asked me who I’d trust my wife with to keep her safe. If this was her right now, I’d happily leave her with him. He’s one of the best.”
Jarrid followed them to the door and we could hear a muffled conversation as Fern wrapped her arms around me and pressed her face to my chest.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Anytime, Princess.”
Chapter 23
Fern
I reluctantly pushed away from Charlie, not knowing how long I’d been wrapped around his solid chest. “I don’t think I can do this,” I mumbled to no one in particular. “Thomas is right. This won’t ever be over.”
Jarrid pushed his gladiator-sized body next to me on the sofa.
“He won’t stop. He’ll play the long game. I mean, he’s waited six years to attack me. I won’t ever be safe.”
“I don’t have a problem with playing the long game, Fern. Do you know what I used to do? Before I worked for Thomas?”
I shook my head. Jarrid dragged his fingers through the strands of hair that had come loose from his bun.
“I was a sniper. I’d get into position and stay there for as long as I had to. No sleep, no bathroom breaks, no food. Just me,looking down the barrel of a gun, with my finger on the trigger. I have a lot of patience, and I’m really fucking good at taking out the enemy. And that’s what James is. It was a job before, but that man threatening you on my watch made it personal. Not just for me, but for Sean and the Boss. Trust me, James may as well have painted a target on his back when he sent that dick to threaten you. I’m just not sure if he realizes just how dangerous Thomas is.”
“Hear that, Princess? You’re surrounded by big butch men, protecting you.”
Jarrid bent his arms, flexing his muscles, making a noise like an angry pirate that pulled a soft laugh from her.
“That’s better. Now, do you want to stay here or come back to mine? I’ve got five bedrooms, so you don’t even have to stay with me if you don’t want to.”
Standing, Jarrid looked down on me. “Whatever you want, Fern. I can make it happen. I just need to let the Boss know if you’re relocating.”
“What about Luci? She’s away for a couple of days, but will she be safe here when she’s back?”
“We’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Are you sure that’s okay?” I turned to Charlie. “This is so much more than you signed up for.”
He smiled, but it wasn’t the rock star smile that I knew the world loved, that melted hearts and made woman lose their underwear; this smile was just for me.
“I’m glad I got more than I signed up for.” His fingertips danced along my jaw. “Because I got you,” he whispered almost inaudibly. “Now, let’s go and pack you some stuff.”
“Come on in. Make yourself at home. You too Jarrid. I feel like you’re going to be Fern’s shadow for a while.”
“Do you mind if I check the place out? You know, after everything, I want to see with my own eyes that there’s no one here,” he asked, tipping his head to the staircase.
“Knock yourself out. Take Fern’s bag with you and dump it in the master. Top of the stairs, last door on your left.”
“Sniper, remember, not butler, but as you asked so nicely, I’ll do it this once.”
“He’s hilarious,” Charlie muttered as he took my hand and led me through the house. Turning on the light, I gasped at the high-ceilinged, open plan space that was his kitchen.
“Wow, this place is stunning.”
“Just wait.” He led me to a wall of glass and he opened a door before he flicked on another set of lights.
