“Charlie,” I exclaimed as I took in the wooden and glass structure that looked like a giant greenhouse. Fairy lights were strung from the ceiling and plants filled the space. “Can I?” I asked, pointing to it.
Charlie nodded, and I went through the door, laughing as I found the sunken hot tub and huge sectional.
“All that time I was getting excited about the lighthouse and you had this.”
“I had it built when I moved in. The glass is bulletproof and tinted, so you’re safe and no one can see in, but when it’s dark, you can sit in the hot tub and watch the stars. It’s my little hideaway.”
“Can we?” I pointed to the sofa.
“Course, but I refuse to sit out here in a fucking thunderstorm.” Charlie pressed a kiss to my cheek. “You hungry? Fox and Arch were over having dinner when you called. There’ll be leftovers in the fridge.”
“I’m hungry, but not for food.” I tugged him toward me, kissing him so hard that he groaned into my mouth.
“All clear,” Jarrid announced, tutting loudly when he saw us making out.
“Sorry,” I mumbled, releasing my hold on Charlie. “Later?” I whispered before he got too far away from me.
“Later, Princess.”
I raked my fingers through his hair, watching his eyes flutter closed as his lips parted. Not seeming to care that Jarrid was nearby, he let out a feral groan, his cock noticeably swelling in his jeans. Before I could tell him how much I missed being with him last night, Jarrid’s phone beeped with a notification.
“The Boss and Sean are outside.”
Chapter 24
Charlie
I placed a bottle of whiskey and five glasses on the table before I sat next to Fern. Jarrid forced himself into the high back armchair and Thomas and Sean looked hilarious next to each other, despite how huge my sofa was.
Thomas leaned forward and poured us all a drink, passing them around. It was late; I was exhausted, but we needed to talk.
“Okay, first, Fern, Charlie, Paulie let that man into your home. I can’t apologize enough, but he’s been taken care of and you don’t need to worry about him and we will track down who was in your room and deal with him too.”
I opened my mouth to ask what he’d meant bytaken care of, but Thomas’ glare and the slight shake of his head told me everything I needed to know.
“Secondly, I’ve put a new team together for you. Sean and Jarrid will work shifts so you have one of them with you at all times. When I’m in the city, I’ll be with you as well. I’ve also brought in a few more of my best people. I meant what I said earlier, I want you to go about your life as normal. Leave us to worry about your safety. I’ve also got everyone in Lanton House searching for information we can use against James.
“Lanton House… you named the building after you?” I snorted.
Thomas took a mouthful of his drink, swallowing it down before he spoke. “What? I was young, and I had a huge ego.”
Sean rolled his lips together, obviously trying to stifle a laugh.
“But, Fern, this is on you. If you want to run, I can hide you. Change your name, give you a new life. Say the word and it’s done.”
I froze, gripping Fern’s hand harder than I’d meant to.
“Ow, Myth Maker. Don’t break my hand. I’m going to need it to do my job.”
I let out a breath, relief flooding me. “You’re not running? I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”
“I’m not running,” she said confidently. “But if any of you let me get killed, I will haunt you for life. Do I make myself clear?” Her lips curled into a half smile. “The last few weeks have been hell, but I will not let that man drive me from the life I built. My job, my friends… I will not run because I’ll never be able to stop. I want to bring that fucker to his knees and then I want to kick him in the face repeatedly… metaphorically speaking, of course.”
“I can see we’re all going to get on like a mother fucking house on fire,” Sean laughed.
Fern – 2 weeks later
“Right, so you understand that from now on, I will checkallyour social media postsbeforeyou post them. And posting dick pics is not great promo for the band.”
