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“It’s crazy how much you remind me of my fiancée.” Caleb shakes his head and steps back to his brother’s side.
“Why these guys?” I talk to Clark for the first time since yesterday.
He shrugs and steps towards me. “They’ve all been through similar or darker situations. Clay was just telling us about his girlfriend’s rescue from the army about six months ago. Jared recommended them to me, and your health and wellbeing are all that matter to us all, Kal.”
Tears roll down my cheeks. I’m sick of crying. I’m sick of looking weak. I’m sick of feeling out of control. I hate what I’ve become.
“It’s okay.” Clark rubs the tears away from my cheeks. His touch calms my racing heart.
“I’ve been a bitch. I don’t deserve your kindness.”
“Kally, you couldn’t be a bitch even if you tried. I think everything you’ve said over the last forty-eight hours was called for. Okay, it might be hard for us to hear, but it’s the truth. We all understand. Tomorrow is a big day for you, and we’re going to do everything in our power to make it easy for you.”
“What happens now?” I look at Caleb because he’s the only brother who has made contact with me.
“We’ll set up a station of cameras, or Chris will.” He points over to his brother, and both men nod at me with a smile. “We’ll work with the security guys you have in place and get a rotation going. All your guys have been vetted, right? They’re above board?”
“They’ve come from an agency. I had no need to double-check them before.”
“Do you mind if I run my own checks? I ask this because nine times out of ten, security breaches come from someone within the household,” says Caleb.
“You can take the guy out of the police force, but you can’t take the police force out of the guy.” Clay shrugs.
Just hearing that Caleb was a policeman relaxes me even more.
Caleb rolls his eyes. “I was a detective in Chicago P.D. My brother will never let me forget it.”
“Why did you leave?” I ask.
“It was my time. I was a detective. I saw some gruesome murders, rapes, you name it. After a while, it gets under your skin. I knew when the cases started affecting me personally it was time to move on. That’s when we decided to open up Shawland Security.”
I nod. I like Caleb. He’s sincere. I like his honesty.
“Do whatever you need to, guys. I trust you know what you’re doing.” I speak before anyone else can, and Clark wraps his arm around my waist.
“You heard the woman. Do what you have to do,” says Clark.
“Okay, then. I’ll show you guys to the rooms Nancy has set up for you. If you need anything, just let me know. I’m happy to help with anything.” Jared picks up luggage and helps the guys to clear out of the room. “I might not be as young as you guys, but I can still shoot a gun and I have my wits about me.”
“Well, we’re not going to refuse help.” Clay pats Jared’s back before he follows him to his room. “What are you, hitting fifty now, old man?”
“Not quite, cheeky fucker. Forty-five and counting.”
“I’ve got a few calls to make. I’ll see you guys later,” says Damien.
Before I know what’s happening, it’s only Clark and me standing in the living room. The atmosphere is thick, and it’s all my fault. I should never have said what I did yesterday.
“Can I get you anything to eat or drink?” he asks me quickly, looking around the room. Anywhere other than directly at me.
I shake my head. “Can we just sit down and talk?”
“Sure.”
He takes my hand and helps me to sit down on the couch. Without letting my hand go, he sits close beside me. It’s good to have him so close. I’ve missed him.
“I don’t blame you for any of this, and I certainly couldn’t hate you. You’re my best friend.” When silence surrounds us, I tilt my head to look at him. “I’m sorry for what I said yesterday. I don’t want to lose you.”
He turns to face me and captures my cheeks in his hands. “You will never lose me. Ever. That is one promise I can make and keep. I have loved you for as long as I can remember, and that will never change.”
