Page 26 of Soul of Discretion

Nick ran across the building and into Inspector McKenzie’s office where he found Ben as well. “Two of Baronne’s thugs paid a visit to Breakforce. We have to go.”

Nick had to give it to the inspector, he moved almost as fast as Nick. He hoped he still had it when he hit fifty-five given all his war wounds. The drive took forever, but he knew that was his own imagination. Soon they were pulling up to the front of Breakforce’s building. Security guards stood at the main entrance but allowed the three officers to cross without stopping them. Simon must have told the guards that the RCMP would be arriving.

They went up to the management offices, where they found Simon and Decker having a brandy or scotch at the desk in an office. Nick wanted to run to Simon but held strong to his restraint, knowing such behaviour wouldn’t be appropriate here.

Simon looked shaken, his lips flaring in anger. Nick walked right up to the desk and looked Simon in the eye. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“We’re both fine, though a little surprised that they’d threaten us in broad daylight in my own fucking building. A building that had witnesses and security cameras. How do they believe they’ll get away with it?” Simon asked as he ran his hand through his blond hair, a sure sign he was more affected than he was leading on.

“Sergeant Cooper,” the inspector called. “Take their statements.” Turning to Simon and Decker, the inspector said, “I’m sorry this happened to you but I’m not surprised. The Baronnes seem to think they’re untouchable. It’s time they learned they aren’t.”

Nick moved as close as he could get to Simon without giving cause for strange looks from Decker, Ben, or the inspector. Having Simon threatened shook something deep inside Nick, but there was no way in hell he would he let his foolish heart get involved in this.

“Can you describe the men that threatened you?” Nick listened as Simon went over the violent events.

Two men had burst into his office even though Jack’s old secretary tried to stop them. Decker happened to be in Simon’s office with him when this happened. They demanded to speak to Simon Bridgeworth, and as soon Simon identified himself he was pinned to the wall. Nick almost slipped at that, but he held on to his calm, for now.

“They said they wanted their two bloody kilos back and to keep out of their business. If we didn’t listen, what happened to Jack would happen to me.” Simon provided what had happened in detail and with every word, Nick got closer to losing it. One of the largest mafia organizations in southern Ontario had threatened Simon with torture and death.

After the two witness statements had been taken, Inspector McKenzie spoke up. “Because there’s an eminent threat to you, Mr Bridgeworth, we’ll have to assign you with an officer for your own protection. The last thing I need is for the Earl of Stoneham to be hurt on my watch. Sergeant Cooper, we’ll get a room in the same hotel where Mr Bridgeworth is staying so you can stay close to him. Under the circumstances, I think it’s wise to keep Mrs Teeman under wraps another forty-eight hours. The doctors will need to agree, but I’m confident they’ll be swayed to say another couple of days would be good for her.”

Simon nodded. “Sounds like a good plan.” He was quick to add, “If I may, I have an empty suite attached to my own. Would that be suitable?”

“Yes, that would be perfect. If you provide your receipts, we’ll be able to reimburse you for the cost of the room. Now I suggest that Sergeant Cooper remain here and continue to work on the case as he’s guarding you. We’ll call with any updates, but as of this moment, your main concern, Sergeant Cooper, is keeping Mr Bridgeworth safe. Ben will watch over Mr Bradshaw until this is over,” the inspector ordered, and if Nick was right, he saw a small smirk on his face when he said it. “Nick and Ben, join me in the waiting area.”

Nick closed the door behind him as he followed his inspector out into the empty reception area.

“I don’t need to tell either of you how important it is to keep these men safe. This is the key. This is where we take down the Baronne crime family. This is as close as we’ve been to the actual heads of family. You two keep them safe while Breakforce continues digging into whatever Jack was into. Report anything new to me directly,” the inspector ordered before he took the witness statements and left.

“Well, isn’t this interesting?” Ben asked with a smirk. Ben was Steph’s husband, so he was privy to everything she knew. “You keep your sexy earl safe.” Nick would have worried, but Ben had been his friend for a long time.

Nick told Ben, “You make sure to keep your eyes open. We want nothing happening to you or Decker.”

“You got it, boss,” Ben agreed before slapping Nick on the back.

They walked back inside where Simon stood with that grin on his face. Sexy bastard’s pretty happy with himself.Christ, he could’ve been hurt or worse and he’s behaving as if he’s won some sort of prize. The man was certifiable. Now that Nick had time to calm down a bit he was a little thrown by his reaction to the thought of something happening to his Aristocat69.

His? Oh shit.Nick was taken aback by his own wild thoughts. Simon certainly wasn’t his and never would be. Nick needed to keep that straight in his head.

Simon joined him on the other side of the room where Nick stood looking out the windows. “Well, that couldn’t have worked out any better if I’d planned it.”

“I wouldn’t be so cocky if I were you. They threatened to do to you what they did to Jack.” Nick noticed a slight tic in Simon’s jaw when he said that. Yeah, he was affected more than he was letting on.

“They can try. We have a few things to finish up and then we can go pick up the rest of your belongings you’ll need over the next couple weeks or however long this case takes,” Simon murmured while running his finger from Nick’s chest to his belt, making his cock react. Simon’s back blocked everyone else’s view of what he was doing.

“The inspector will bring back a cruiser for us to use when we go anywhere.”

“What, no more town cars or limousines?” Simon asked with that smirk yet again in place. He was playing with Nick, knowing how much it irritated him finding out Simon was an earl. The little shit.

“I hate to take you slumming, Lord Stoneham, but it will be a necessity,” Nick stated as he gave a mock bow to Simon.

A loud gasp sounded from behind Simon, and Nick at once pulled him behind his back for protection but all he could see was Ben and Decker. “What’s wrong, why did you gasp?”

“You can’t talk to Mr Bridgeworth like that,” Decker huffed out as if Nick had offended the man.

Nick figured Decker had a point. No one else, other than Ben and Steph, knew about them so his behaviour would seem odd. He had to remember that until they were alone. “I’m sorry, Simon.”

He walked to the open office door and took up position, able to see into reception and into the office. He should’ve known better. If it got out, it may be his own fault if he couldn’t keep his remarks professional. Nick could see that Ben could barely control the smile on his face. At least one thing he’d learned over the past couple days was indeed correct: Simon was loved by his employees if Decker’s reaction was anything to go by. It actually made Nick happier knowing that fact. Simon Bridgeworth was known for his business dealings across the world, and was described as ruthless but fair.