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As he turned to walk back toward the kitchen, he stopped in the doorway. “You didn’t do anything to deserve this. This isn’t your fault. If you only believe one thing I tell you for the rest of your life, believe that. It’s not your fault.”
He took his first step into the hall when he heard Geoffrey whisper, “Thank you.”
It was a start.###
The sun was trying to melt him straight into the concrete. Sven squinted at the long driveway that curved toward the street, trying to ignore the sweat that was trickling down the back of his neck and into his shirt. He’d just completed his second round outside after trying to convince Geoffrey to eat something for lunch, but it hadn’t worked. Geoffrey had skipped breakfast, coffee, and now lunch. He had shifted in his chair a couple of times while his phone sat untouched on the desk in front of him. The computer was asleep and untouched. He wouldn’t talk, wouldn’t eat. Sven was tempted to simply pick him up and carry him back to bed so that he could wrap his larger body around him. But after that damn video, he didn’t want to touch Geoffrey unless he was sure he would welcome it.
Cops had stopped by earlier in the day and asked Geoffrey a series of questions, but Geoffrey had said no more than he’d had to. Just sinking deeper and deeper into his own misery. Sven had been only too glad to usher them back out of the house.
Tires scraped along the concrete and a silver sedan finally pulled into view as it turned up the driveway. The sun glinted off the windshield making it impossible to see who was inside the car. Sven stepped into the shade of the front porch and crossed his arms over his chest. He was back in his Ward Security polo shirt but he didn’t give a damn if they all knew that he was protecting Geoffrey. No one was getting near Geoffrey without his approval first.
The driver turned off the engine, but it was nearly a minute before both the front doors opened to reveal Patrick and Kody as they stepped out. Tall, thin Patrick looked uneasy as he stared at Sven. Kody raised a hand in greeting, his smile hesitant. His buttery blond hair ruffled in the breeze.
“Hey, Sven, right?” Kody said in friendly tones. “What are you doing here?”
Sven kept his arms folded over his chest, silently watching them as they came up the walk. Both men became more nervous as they approached, their steps growing shorter and slower. A quick glance revealed that neither appeared to be armed. They wore light-weight shirts and shorts that didn’t hang heavy with the weight of a weapon. Patrick was gangly and awkward with every movement as if he’d never quite settled into his tall frame. Kody was just a bit shorter than Patrick, but his frame was a little thicker. As he got close, Sven noticed that there were more lines in his face, putting him in his late thirties to early forties rather than a twentysomething like most of Geoffrey’s friends.
“Geoffrey is not having guests today,” Sven declared evenly. “Please leave.”
Both men stopped suddenly and stared at Sven in a mix of shock and confusion.
“Have you talked to him?” Kody asked.
“Were you just leaving?” Patrick added. “Did he send you away?”
Sven continued to block their path to the front door, saying nothing.
Patrick glanced over at Kody and then made a dismissive noise in the back of his throat. “I’ve known Geoffrey forever. He’ll see me.” He started to take a step around Sven, but Sven shifted farther into his path.
“No. He’s not seeing anyone.”
“Of course he is!” Kody argued. “After that damn video.”
“Everyone saw that fucking video,” Patrick said with disgust under his breath. “He needs to see us.”
“No one gets in to see him. Now leave.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” Patrick exploded. “You can’t tell us to leave. How do we know you haven’t hurt Geoffrey?” Patrick tried to take another step around Sven, but this time Sven placed one hand on the man’s shoulder and pushed him steadily back for every step Sven took forward.
Patrick gasped and flailed, but Sven kept his eye on Kody as the man glared daggers at him. His pale face had flushed with anger.
“I’m calling the police,” Kody declared while taking a step back with Patrick.
“Do it,” Sven barked. Still holding Patrick’s shoulder, he looked down on Kody, wishing he had more than just three inches of height on this man. “Call them. Call them right now.”
Kody met his glare for several breathless seconds before finally turning away. “Fuck you. And fuck him,” he snarled, marching back toward Patrick’s car.
Patrick jerked his shoulder free of Sven’s hold and hurried after Kody, muttering, but Sven couldn’t quite catch what he’d said. He stayed on the front porch, watching as they disappeared back down the driveway. They weren’t the first gawkers to show up. Geoffrey’s ex, Brendon, had appeared just before noon, demanding to see Geoffrey and had shouted far more obscenities at Sven before storming off. He knew others would stop by. Some probably did want to offer true sympathy, but he knew too many of them would only make Geoffrey feel worse.
