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“I’m sorry,” I say finally. “Maybe it’s just a bit of PTSD related to everything that happened when I got arrested. I felt like the walls were closing in then, and I guess I felt a little of that again now.”

“You’re fine. Your concern is completely understandable, and I’m always here to listen. It was a foreign entity of scammers—that’s why you couldn’t find them—who lucked onto your information. Now you’ve changed everything. Your money is safe. Stop looking for trouble where there isn’t any. Try to enjoy life, would you? You have a lot to look forward to.”

I smile.

Because I do.

I have to stop living in the past.

And the next time Rage and I have some quiet time together, I’m going to tell him everything.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Rage

Monday morning staff meetings are usually casual but today’s is a lot more intense. The entire staff is here, including Luna and Courtney, because we’re getting into our busy season. A large amount of the business Daniil has been lining up is starting now or will begin soon, and this is the first time assignments are being officially doled out. I’m also going to announce that I’ve decided to start training for the charity fight.

Luna said she would support whatever decision I make, even though I suspect she’s a little nervous about me getting hurt, but I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen. But she’s actually getting involved too. She and Candy have been talking about ways she can help, and I think she’s going to bring Allora and Courtney on board as well.

“We have a full agenda this morning,” Daniil says. “A few announcements before we get to the nitty-gritty of the schedule. First, we’ve just hired a full-time nanny. Her name is Estelle Machado. She’s been an early education teacher for twenty years and was looking for a change. Obviously, I’ve run the full background check, everything is good. She’ll be starting next week, taking care of Celeste and Micah for us during business hours so Courtney and I have more time to devote to the company. Eventually, that will morph into her running the daycare here at the office, and we’ll find someone else to be a full-time nanny for when we travel and such.”

“Next is that Eric is taking a week’s vacation to handle a personal matter. He can tell you about it, or not, when he returns. Try not to be too nosy.”

Everyone chuckles.

“Okay, the schedule.” He has his laptop open and we’ve all received a printout. “This is a big one—we scored the contract to handle security on the set of the Dusty Peaks television show. The downside is that most of the filming is being done in Atlanta, which means you’ll all have to cycle in and out of there. Darryl Carruthers, who used to own Westfield & Carruthers Security, is living there now, so he’s going to liaison for us and we’ll pay him a consulting fee to take on building the framework of the security plan. I’m going down there next week to finalize some details.

“Eric and Chaos are taking on the bulk of the project. Chaos will be there full-time to manage the project and act as Lacy Fontaine’s personal bodyguard.” She’s one of the stars of the show, as well as a friend of Allora’s. “Also, since Allora has a connection to both the show and to Lacy, she and Grim will be down there a good part of the time as well. Beyond that, we’ll have a rotating staff going to Atlanta for two weeks at a time.

“I believe there are also going to be a few weeks on location in New York City, so if anyone feels strongly about being there for that, or not being there as the case may be, let me know now.”

“I’ll do it,” Grim offers. “Allora has a lot of work in New York so it would be a good opportunity for both of us.”

Daniil nods, types something into his laptop and continues.

Usually, I don’t pay a lot of attention, but I’m on the schedule next. Once Mark comes back in two weeks, I’m the next one to go.

Two weeks away from Luna at such an early stage of our relationship isn’t the best timing.

On one hand, it might be good because I can focus on work, training, and what I have to eat to get into shape. I’m not going crazy since the fight is for charity, but I always want to do my best.

On the other hand, Luna can do most of her job from anywhere. Maybe she can come with me for part of the time. Not that it would be much fun for her, because that kind of security can be all-encompassing. They don’t work a set nine to five schedule, which means sometimes they’ll go until late at night. Other times it’ll be over by lunch. There are a ton of variables, including the script, whether the scenes are indoors or outdoors, the weather, and more.

I’m so lost in thought I miss that Daniil is talking to me.

“What?” I ask, frowning.

“What kind of adjustments do we need to make that won’t interfere with this upcoming charity event you’ve signed on for?”

I skim the schedule and almost everything revolves around Dusty Peaks. The rest is pretty standard.

“I need to be local the first week of September,” I say. “The charity gala is that weekend and I’m fighting Saturday night.”

Everyone freezes. “You’re fighting?” Mark asks, frowning.

“You decided to do it?” Grim asks at the same time.

I nod. “It’s for cervical cancer, which is a good cause, and I love to fight. It seems like it’s win-win.”