Mom: Well, maybe I’ll get grandkids after all.
I choke on my last sip of coffee. How in the hell do I even begin to reply to that?
Me: Nah, it’s not like that. I’m just helping a... friend.
Mom: Friendship is the best place for love to grow.
Me: I love you, Ma. But I’ve got to go. Can’t be late for work.
I already know she’s going to blow up my phone, but the conversation she wants to have has to wait. Partially because I don’t have the first fucking clue as to what to say to her. Something tells meyeah, my best friend’s ex who I thought I hated is being stalked, so I moved her in with me. Now I fantasize about fucking her twenty-four-seven and might have feelings for herisn’t going to fly.
I also need to get out to Scarlet’s to triple check Silas’s guys work on her new door and to install the doorbell camera Scarlet ordered.
Sure enough, my phone chimes over and over in my pocket, but none of them are Scarlet’s alert, so I keep going about my business. My nosey but well-meaning mother will just have to wait.
The first thing I notice when I pull up to Scarlet’s is not only has her front door been replaced, Smoke and Silver also painted the same shade of pink it was before. That’s a level of dedication and care I can totally get behind.
I shoot Silas a text thanking him before grabbing the doorbell and my drill and getting out the truck.
Installing it is quick work, and once I have the app downloaded, I fire off a text to Scarlet prompting her to do the same.
The next item on my to-do list is getting Scarlet a key made for my place. Except, when I get to the hardware store, a fancy-as-fuck biometric lock catches my eye. “You can never be too safe,” I murmur to myself as I inspect the box. I need to get her a key to my place.
“You really can’t,” a store associate says. “Speaking of, we have some pretty great bundle deals if you’re in the market for home surveillance.”
I think back to Scarlet’s stalker watching us at Atlas’s and following her to my house. “Load me up. I want cameras, flood lights, the works.”
The employee grins. “You’ve come to the right place.”
Before I know it, I have a new alarm system, a plethora of cameras, perimeter sensors, and a fancy new gate being installed—today—thanks to a hefty rush fee.Let that fucker try and get to her now.
I’m standing in line waiting to check out when a flash of pink catches my eye. I squat down to inspect it closer, smiling when I realize it’s a pink leather keychain with the wordprincessand a crown embroidered into it. I toss it into my cart without a second thought. It’s so perfectly Scarlet, and as it turns out, I just so happen to like buying her things.Who knew?
A well-spent thousand bucks and some change later, I’m on way to the Guardians of Fortune office to check in with Silas and see what tasks he has for me this week.
I also want to talk to him about some tracking devices for Scarlet, because there’s no guarantee she’ll always have her phone on her, and that’s not a risk I’m willing to take.
I manage to score street parking within walking distance and make it inside with five minutes to spare.
“Ellis.” Silas looks up when I walk in. “Status update?”
I give him a quick rundown of where everything stands with Scarlet—well, the pertinent info, anyway; he doesn’t need to know I’ve made her scream my name the past two night. A, because it’s fucking private and B, because the smug shit would never let it go.
“I do want to ask about tracking options.” I pull my phone from my pocket and open the app. Her little pink dot pings at Totto. “Obviously, I have her location on my phone, but I want back up options.”
Silas nods. “Smart man. I’d suggest something on her car, in her bag, and in her shoes. Maybe some jewelry, too.”
“Point me toward the best place to purchase.”
He grins. “Right here, brother.” He stands from his desk chair and nods for me to follow him as he heads for the built-in cabinets lining the back of room. “Top of the line, long range, and most importantly, discreet.”
“Perfect. Let me get everything you mentioned, but two for her shoes.”
“Done.” He plucks the items I need from two different drawers. “And before you even ask, there’s no direct cost to you unless they get damaged or destroyed.”
“Thanks.” I accept the offered items, placing them down on his desk. “What about the?—”
“Jewelry? This way.” He shuffles down to the far end of the room, opening a tall cabinet. “Bracelet, necklace, or ring?”
