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Some of the most powerful men had been brought to their knees by a woman. I refused to allow that to happen.
Again.
No matter how much I craved Delaney.
“Come on, Sadie girl. Let’s go see Uncle Arman.” My sister-in-law certainly did have a sense of humor. Why was it that hearing the phrase made me cringe on this day?
I strode out of my office toward the front door. Then I stopped long enough to track down the woman who’d been in my employ for years. Cecily was a kind older woman who looked past who I was, insisting there was good inside of me.
“Cecily. Will you do me a favor in the next day or so?” I asked when I found her tidying up in the kitchen.
“Of course, sir. What do you need?”
“Make certain there are fresh sheets in the guest room at the back of the house.”
Her frown was immediate. She’d been as much like a motherly figure to me as my own mother had been. Which was one reason that in my mind, women were to be guarded, kept safe at all times. Even those who defied me at every turn. I had to get Delaney shoved into the right place in my mind. Cecily hadn’t approved of the few women I’d brought to the house, none of which had stayed the night over the years. I could tell she was concerned I’d picked up my flavor of the month, as my brother liked to call it.
“Are you having a special guest, sir?”
I had to grin given her continued discontent. “Nothing like that, Cecily. I’m protecting a young woman who’s facing extreme danger. It might become necessary to bring her here.”
“Ah,” she said. “As I told your father the last time we spoke. You’re the knight of the family.”
“You’re a doll, Cecily, but sadly, I’m no knight in shining armor.”
“Maybe it’s a little tarnished, sir, but you are a good man.”
“One last favor.”
“Anything.”
“Can you gather some of Sadie’s toys, a bag of her food, the water bowl, and two of her beds for me? You can just put them in the foyer.”
“Going on a little vacation, sir?”
I laughed seeing the sparkle in her eyes. “Staying at a friend’s house for a couple days.”
“I’ll miss the fluffy girl but I’m glad you’re getting out more. You need to settle down. It’s time.” With that, she walked away and all I could do was smile.
Time.
It was time to pack a bag before heading out. No, settling down wasn’t in my blood.
Then again, as my mother would tell me: Never say never.
As soon as Arman’s housekeeper let me in, Sadie bounced through the door as if she owned the place. I was shocked that everywhere my dog went, smiles were born, even during the worst of times.
“Good afternoon, Ginger. I hope you didn’t just polish the marble floors.”
“No, sir, Mr. Thibodeaux, but it wouldn’t matter if I had. Sadie. Why don’t you come with me? I have special treats.” She pressed her hand against her mouth as if she’d done something horribly wrong. “That is if it’s okay with your daddy.”
“Of course it is. You and everyone else spoil her. Don’t eat too much, little chubster.”
“Mr. Thibodeaux asked me to tell you he’s out by the pool and for you to join him.”
“Thank you, Ginger.”
I watched in fascination as Sadie followed her, happy as could be. Of all the things my brother had been right about, owning apup was the most surprising. When they disappeared, I headed through the living room toward the pool, surprised to see my brother in shorts. He never wore them. I’d sworn the man was born in suits, yet he’d taken to becoming more casual at least at home since finding the love of his life in Raven.
