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“No, Jasper’s right,” Niko said. “If he or I are close and can get here faster, we’re not going to ignore it and risk him getting away. I’m sure we can manage to tackle one man and keep him from leaving at least until you get here.” He flexed his bicep with a grin. “We’ve got plenty of muscle too, you know.”
“Yeah.” Jasper smacked his fist into the opposite palm. “And I’d like to take a few shots at the asshole who’s trying to terrorize Lou. He deserves that and more.”
The vehemence in his voice and Niko’s unshakable enthusiasm sent a rush of anxious affection through me. I hadn’t expected my skater men to be so determined to protect me ineverypossible way.
But here they were, declaring their intention to do battle for me without hesitation. Even though they weren’t remotely prepared.
“He’ll probably be armed,” I reminded them, sitting back down next to Jasper and grabbing his hand with a tight squeeze. “I don’t want either of you getting hurt.”
Jasper shot me a steely look. “And we don’t want this prick doing anything else to mess with you. We can handle it.”
“We won’t do anything more than we need to in order to make sure he doesn’t get away before Rafael arrives,” Niko assured me with total confidence.
I didn’t know how to argue with that, even though every particle of my body screamed to keep them out of this part of my life completely.
But I’d drawn them into it. I’d told them who I was and all the baggage that came with my old existence.
And they’d stuck with me willingly.
What were the chances that they would be more available to get here than Rafael would anyway? He’d be on patrol or guard duty, and they’d usually be at the arena with me.
“Fine,” I said, with a firm glance at Rafael. “Whoever can come, will. Including me. But don’t be afraid to fight dirty if you need to. A good swing of a skate or a heavy duffel bag could do as much for you as a knife.”
And maybe we should get the guys some knives too. And make sure they knew how to use them well.
The thought made my head start to ache too. I pressed the heels of my hands against my forehead.
“We’ll get it all sorted out quickly,” Niko said, tapping on his phone again. “Emi knew a brand she’s used before—she texted me a link to it at an American store where we can get it quickly. I’ll place the order right now. There, done.”
Jasper scanned the living room warily, his fingers twining with mine protectively. I didn’t think I could stand to see all of my men so unsettled on my behalf any longer.
I got to my feet, tugging him with me. “Then we have a plan. I think we could all use something else to think about after all this stressing out, don’t you? Why don’t we check out that Cuban restaurant down the street? Rafael, you said you wanted to try it.”
My bodyguard considered me, but maybe he could recognize my inner turmoil. Or at least that there wasn’t much else any of them could do to protect me in this exact moment.
“I did,” he said. “That sounds perfect, if these two gringos are up for it.”
Niko laughed as he stood. “I’m always interested in trying out a new cuisine, especially with expert guidance.”
As we tramped out the door together, a little of the tension inside me unwound. But the ache of anxiety lingered in my gut.
My men were as determined to defend me as I was to protect them… but what if this trick wasn’t enough to stop the psycho who had me in his sights?
TEN
Luciana
As our servertook away two empty plates that had once held heaping piles of masitas de puerco and empanadas, Niko leaned back in his chair with one hand on his stomach. “Now that’s some food. I’ve never had anything like it.”
Rafael raised an eyebrow at him. “Not many Cubans in Japan, huh?”
“Nope. I should encourage some to join us! The ones who already want to open restaurants.”
Jasper laughed and licked a fleck of sauce off his thumb in a gesture that got me heated up just to watch. “I’m sure they’ll really appreciate your enthusiasm. Those were only the appetizers, you know.”
Niko straightened back up. “Oh, I’m ready for more. But maybe we could get another plate of those little pork things too?”
To my surprise, Rafael let out a chuckle. “I think I could manage to put away a few more. This place can’t quite match my abuela’s masitas de puerco, but they’re pretty good.”
