“His dad was using the research to build the kind of technology Seb hated,” Alexandria explained. “Totally breaking the contract, too.”
Declan scowled. “Asshole,” he muttered. “So what, someone figured out how much this research is worth and came gunning for it?”
“Something like that,” Seb said, pulling the printout of an email from the file. “We weren’t sure we were reading this right, but thought maybe you could understand it better?” He slid the paper to Declan, who frowned and nodded slowly while he read it.
“Damn,” Declan said. “Whoever was paying Reed, they put some serious money into this job. It looks like the Blue Devils were just another pawn, intended to lead the cops down the wrong path.”
Seb nodded, glad at least to have confirmation. “I just don’t understand why Reed would hire you in the first place. The rest of the security had basically no experience, but you definitely knew what you were doing.”
Declan grimaced, then turned his eyes back out the window. Seb watched his shoulders tighten. He wasn’t sure why the question affected Declan so strongly, but he did know that he wanted to make that tension disappear. He stepped forward, then placed his hand on Declan’s back, breaking through the invisible barrier.
Declan relaxed, then turned. Seb felt held by the warmth between their bodies when Declan casually pulled him close, squeezing him tight before letting go. He shook his head back and forth slowly, still frowning. “Those fuckers,” he said. “I’m sorry your father lied to you, Seb. And I’m sorry those lies almost got you hurt.”
Seb held his eyes on Declan, and a little thrill shot up his chest. “Except that you beat them off,” he said. “Every time intruders came here, you chased them away.”
Declan got a strange look in his eyes, one Seb hadn’t seen before. He shook his head again, then coughed. “It’s not like that,” he said. “Anyway, we should be focused on what happens next now that we have this information.”
Seb let out a puff of air. He felt suddenly like he had more questions than answers all over again. If Alexandria and Declan hadn’t been there to steady him, he probably would have disintegrated into a million worried pieces.
“Did you find out anything from your nephew?” he asked.
“Nothing quite like this,” Declan answered, then glanced to the emails. “Do you mind if I read through these?”
Seb nodded. “Sure, I figured you might want to.”
“Considering they sold me out and almost got me killed, I probably have the right.”
“In that case,” Seb said. “I might call it a night while you catch up.”
“Sure,” Declan nodded. “Smart idea.”
Seb wanted to go to Declan and pull him in for a kiss, but he still had a strange edge to his energy, one that hadn’t been there before he went to the diner. Instead, he turned to Alexandria, who caught him off guard with a wink. “I’ll stay up a bit,” she said. “Let us know if you need anything.”
DECLAN
All Declan really wanted to do was read through those emails. There was nothing quite like digging up dirt on a lowlife who had just disrespected him. And whatever job Declan had been hired to do in the first place was suddenly out the window, much more important work smacking him in the face.
It was going to take a hell of a lot more than a bodyguard to get Seb through this mess safely and out the other side.
He could have sat there reading that boring shit all night, combing through for anything that would help him out, but Alexandria was finding quite a few ways to make that difficult.
She pushed a bottle of beer across the counter. “Here. I told you. One beer actually helps you think. It’s after the second beer that the lines get wobbly.”
Declan grunted, then accepted the drink. “Suit yourself. My lines don’t get wobbly, though.”
Alexandria laughed. She had bright eyes, like Seb did, and the dash of something silver and sparkling across her lids caught the light when she fluttered her lashes. “I believe you.” She leaned forward, then took a sip of the beer she had grabbed for herself. “Do you like being at the mansion, Declan? When it’s not under attack, I mean.”
Declan chuckled despite himself. He pulled out the lighter he was still carrying, then used it to flip the top off the bottle. “You’re pretty charming, Alexandria, but don’t think you’re going to charm anything like that out of me.”
Alexandria pouted. “That’s a shame. Because I would think you’d be dying to talk to me.”
Declan turned fully away from the papers. Maybe it was an effect of being holed up in that house too long, but it felt hard to resist her banter. “Oh yeah?” He narrowed his eyes, enjoying the fun of playing up his rougher qualities for her. “Why’s that?”
Alexandria stuck her tongue against the side of her cheek. “You’re spending an awful lot of time with a certain someone. Wouldn’t you be curious to talk with his best friend?” She narrowed her eyes back at him. “Or is this just a job to you, Declan?”
Declan was caught off guard by the question, but he kept his composure. “I don’t stick around jobs that almost get me killed,” he answered, then grinned. “Although if you needed saving, I’d stick my neck out for you.”
“Oh yeah?” she asked, surprised.
