Page 106 of Nothing Special X: The Last Stand

Day charmed hotel management into cooperating, as they ran drills through the lower level, executing lobby crossings, restaurant exits, public approach, paparazzi clusters and split-second evacs.

He could tell Xander hated it, but he’d listened, asked intelligent questions, and never once complained or pulled an entitlement card.

By the end, Xander was exhausted, but he’d still sat with Free and Tech for another two hours while they walked him through the new security system being installed at his house.

State-of-the-art didn’t cover it. Free had designed a system that was sophisticated enough to protect the White House.

“I just wanna feel safe in my own house again,” he’d said quietly.

Tech leaned forward, voice gentler than Cassidy expected. “You will, I promise.”

Later, they’d eaten a late dinner together in the suite.

Xander wore loose lounge pants and a pale cashmere sweater that made him look younger as he’d sat with one leg curled beneath him in the oversized chair.

He asked him about his embassy work, why he’d chosen security, and why he’d chosen a cat instead of a Doberman or Rottweiler.

He’d told Xander more about himself— the nights overseas, the thanklessness of security work, the quiet nights alone—than he’d told anyone else in his life.

Not everything. But enough.

Xander made sure to thank him multiple times before he went towards his bedroom.

He’d gazed up at him with those blue eyes, blinking as he whispered against his cheek, “I’m so grateful it’s you, Cassie.”

He’d wanted to tell Xander he was grateful too…every time he looked at him like that.

That was how far gone he already was.

Instead, he’d murmured into his thick hair, “Get some sleep, Lane.”

By the time he’d finished working on his laptop, reviewing God and Day’s reports, updating the security rosters, and approving payroll, Xander had fallen asleep on the bed, with one creamy thigh peeking from beneath the crisp sheets and a hand tucked beneath his head.

Cassidy stood there staring much longer than he should have before he removed his T-shirt, turned off the light, and crawled into bed behind him.

Xander stirred enough to find him, then eased back into his chest, sighing in his sleep, his warm, solid body molding against him.

He slid one arm around his waist and held him there, staying awake several hours after Xander had drifted back into dreaming.

He told himself he was in Xander’s bed for protection.

But in his heart, deep down, he knew it was far from that now.

Cassidy stood near the side of the soundstage with God, Day, and Steele while they briefed him on the new staff.

Steele had cut eight of his men from the roster in two days.

The enforcer had watched Cassidy’s guys during drills and dismissed the ones who checked their phones, stepped out of their lanes, postured for an actress, or failed to communicate effectively during a disruption.

Within a week, West Protective Solutions had lost several employees but gained a handful of replacements God and Day vetted.

His company was in capable hands. For the first time since this mess had begun, he could focus solely on Xander without tracking every issue in his own company.

Steele was responsible for perfecting perimeter drills. Day worked on their crowd reading while God focused on reaction formations.

“They’re improving,” God said, gaze cutting toward a group of agents posted near the stage entrance.

Cassidy grunted. “High praise.”