“The kids, Dean, and Rita come home tomorrow. It’s not safe for them.”
I slipped my feet into my shoes. “I’m aware, but I can’t keep them away any longer. I’ll have them guarded twenty-four seven.”
“Lotta good that did Nathanial,” Penn muttered as he buttoned his jeans.
“I didn’t expect poisoning, Penn.” I was frustrated, angry. Benito had gotten one over on me, and I could practically feel him gloating from here.
“I know, Gid. It’s not your fault.”
I sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. “He knew they were on vacation. If he wanted to get to them, he probably would have already.” I looked up at Penn, who was so close I could feel the heat from his skin. “Nathanial betrayed him in his eyes. Likely just retaliation.”
“Funny thing about retaliation…” He ran his fingers through my hair, tugging it slightly. “Innocent people are often collateral damage.”
“We’ll keep them safe.”
He nodded and released me. “Let’s get downstairs. I’m sure whoever was on the property is in the living room, and the others will be here soon.”
“Yeah.”
Within half an hour, my living room was filled with my people, some sitting on the couches and chairs while the rest stood.
“My family returns home tomorrow. I’d hoped to have had this all resolved by that time, but it appears Benito isn’t going to back down so easily. As most of you know, he managed to get past my security, and Nathanial was poisoned tonight.”
“Sir, I’m sorry,” Matt began, but I held a hand up.
“Poison wasn’t something I considered, but now we all know how sneaky he is and the lengths he’ll go to. I want teams of five on each of my family members. If Owen and Olivia are together, there are ten of you. Do the math. No one approaches them who hasn’t been cleared, and even after that, fucking hover.” I made sure to look each person in the eyes.
“I will talk with Rita and Dean and let them know what’s going on so none of you get any argument from them.”
The next few hours consisted of restructuring the security teams, schedules, and so much more. I didn’t want Benito to have even an inch of room to fuck up my life. With my family returning tomorrow, I wanted everything as solid as possible so that all they had to worry about was one of my security maybe standing a little too close.
By early evening, Penn and I were beat. Being woken up at three to deal with a shit show was exhausting. We made some sandwiches and took them up to bed. It wasn’t something I generally liked to do because crumbs in bed were nasty, but I was too tired to give a shit.
“I’m almost too tired to chew,” Penn said through a full mouth.
“Same.”
He placed his plate on the nightstand and got up.
“Where are you going?” I leaned against the headboard and watched as he undressed.
“Just doing my inspection.”
He walked to the mirror, naked, and I unashamedly ogled him as he turned this way and that. I might have been tired, but there was one part of me that was waking up.
“Good enough.” He then grabbed the thermometer, took his temp, and a few other things. The whole time naked.
“Get your sexy ass in bed.”
He chuckled. “I’m truly too tired for your fuckery, Gid.”
I grinned. “Okay, sleep a little, and I’ll wake you up way better than we did this morning.”
“A tornado through the house would have been better.”
I snorted and pulled the comforter over our bodies. “Uh, no.”
It didn’t take long for Penn to fall asleep, and I was able to stare at him for a few minutes before sleep pulled me down.
