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Nash huffed then rolled his eyes before turning a pout toward Adam. “You’re on my side, right, baby?”
Adam crossed his arms over his chest.
Shaking his head, Sam finished Carson’s drink. He took it over and leaned against Carson when his Daddy wrapped an arm around his back.
“We need to get the shop open,” Lucas stated. “We’ll talk to you all later.”
With the tattoo crew leaving, and only one table occupied but a regular, things quieted in the shop. Sam looked around for Caden but he and Lincoln were missing. Caden had probably dragged his Daddy into the kitchen for private kisses. Possibly Sam should put a stop to that but instead he wondered if he could talk Carson into his own private kisses. Maybe his office? Yeah, that would work even better. Less chance of them being interrupted.
He had just opened his mouth to make the invitation when Carson’s, Nash’s, and a phone in the kitchen all sounded an alert.
“That’s work, baby doll,” Carson said. “We need to go.”
Sam received a quick kiss, Nash waved at Adam, and Lincoln rushed out of the kitchen. All three men were gone before Sam even knew what was going on. Caden came out of the kitchen obviously upset.
“What happened?” Sam asked.
“That’s the alert that they have set up on their phones if someone spots Victor Munoz or one of his men.” Caden trembled as he spoke.
Adam was there to hug Caden just as Sam practically jumped across the distance. The cartel that had not only targeted their town but Caden as well hadn’t been heard from since that night. Sam wasn’t ashamed to admit that he was terrified that they’d be targets again.
“It’s okay,” Adam told them. “We’re better prepared now. We have a new door, new locks, and a security system. No one is going to let anyone hurt us.”
“He almost got us once,” Caden whispered.
“But he didn’t,” Adam reminded him.
“You and Sam got hurt,” Caden said stubbornly.
“Yeah.” Adam breathed deep.
There wasn’t really any way to argue with Caden. Sam, himself, was sick to his stomach. He’d just barely been sleeping since the attack and now the bad guys could be back?
“It could be nothing though.” Caden perked up. “Lincoln told me the alert was set up between their department and other departments close by. With the feds refusing to come in and help, the lieutenant reached out to the other precincts, so they could protect each other. They might have been spotted as far as Glenwood.”
That actually helped Sam calm down.
“See the lieutenant and Linc and Nash are all determined to keep us safe. It’s going to be okay.” Adam squeezed them tight.
“I bet we would feel better if we had soup and sandwiches delivered from the deli,” Caden announced. Little Caden was obsessed with the potato soup from the diner down the street.
Sam wasn’t sure he could eat, though.
Adam’s stomach growled and he blushed.
“I’ll order our usuals,” Sam promised as he backed out of the embrace.
Looking around, Sam spotted the young man who’d become a regular lately. He’d showed up about two weeks ago and almost daily camped out at one of the tables out of the way with an old laptop or a book. He never bothered anyone and was quiet and respectful. Sam wondered about it but didn’t pry. He knew all about people who had secrets.
“You okay, man?” Sam asked as he approached. “Sorry for all the drama.”
The young man grinned. He’d taken one of his earbuds out. “It’s always entertaining around here, that’s for sure.”
“That it is. Can I get you anything?” he offered.
“A cup of water?” the customer requested.
They gave free water and Sam would have agreed anyway. He liked the guy. There was something about him. His sad eyes called to Sam the same way that Caden’s nervousness. The kid kept to himself and didn’t talk to anyone except when someone on staff approached him. Did he not have any friends? Where was his family? It went against Sam’s nature not to know those answers.
