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I listen carefully, picking up the pattern of his breaths, striving to match my own to his. It takes me a minute, but once our breathing syncs, the flow is rhythmic and relaxing, leaving me much calmer by the time we reach my apartment.
“Stay in the car with Trent,” Liam directs. “Another one of our teams just arrived. I’ll go in with them, check things out, and then we can all go in together. Keep Sheldon on the phone until I come back for you.”
I nod, feeling a huge sense of regret for making their jobs so damn hard when all they were trying to do was keep me safe and protected from this madman.
It hasn’t even been five minutes when Liam jumps back into the car and tells Trent to drive. He eases into traffic, navigates into a free pocket, and then hits the gas, skillfully weaving in and out of traffic before veering off on the exit ramp.
No one is saying a word, including Sheldon, who’s silent on the phone. “What’s going on right now?” I ask him.
“Darwin got into your apartment as well as the salon. The team got split up, and they’re shorthanded with multiple people and places to cover,” Sheldon states, graciously leaving out the fact Allie went for an unplanned run that threw their plans to hell for the day. I’m sure they would have wanted to clear the salon before I saw all the carnage too, which just makes me extra grateful that they are here.
“We need to take you and Allie somewhere safe. We’ve called in more teams, and they just picked Allie up and will bring her to meet us.”
“That man was really in our home?” The reality of the situation is truly sinking in, even though I knew something was off ever since that man snatched my business card from the floor and leered at me with those dark, evil eyes.
“I won’t lie to you, Lex. It was the same modus operandi as at the salon. He’s sending you a message. Darwin wants you scared, but we have plenty of teams on the way now, and we’ll make sure he doesn’t get anywhere near you, Allie, or your family. The groups will be in place shortly, but we need more time, so I need you to do as I ask and stay where I put you.”
“I understand. I will. Promise.”
“I thought you already understood and agreed to follow the rules. The dynamics are not likely to change, Lex.”
And there it is, the real reason he hasn’t called until now. He hasn’t said it in so many words, but I get the meaning loud and clear. “I’ll do anything you guys need me to do. I just want to make sure Allie and my mom are okay.”
“We’ve already picked up your mom and will bring her to stay with you. We have another crew on their way to guard Jan. The police are with her right now, doing us a favor. She’ll be protected until we get more men in place at the hospital.”
In a matter of minutes, Trent’s pulling up to a substantial skyscraper, one of the largest, if not the biggest, building in New York City, The Prestian Towers. The family emblem, although not lit up right now, is high above us for all to see. “Do Katarina and Chase know you’re bringing me and my family here?”
“I was with Chase when things started happening. He’s the one who suggested it.”
“Please tell him thank you for me, Sheldon. I barely know him and his wife, so that was incredibly generous of him.” Trent opens my door, assists me onto the sidewalk, and guides me to the main entrance as I talk.
“I’ll stay on the phone until you’re safely inside the building, but then I’m going to drop off the line until you’re upstairs. I have a few other calls to make and a couple of things that have to be done here. You’re in good hands, though, Lex,” Sheldon states.
“I’m really sorry about the mess we’re in.”
“We’ll talk about everything later. For right now, do what the guys tell you as soon as they tell you to do it, and I’ll call you back shortly,” Sheldon instructs, disconnecting just as we enter the elevator.
I wonder if he knew exactly when we were getting into the elevator, and that the reception might cut out, but then I catch Trent glancing at me, finishing off what seems like a text and trying to control his smile before pushing in a code on the private elevator panel.
Stalkerish alpha bodyguards, every single one of them. And clearly, they all stick together in their little games, and thank God they do.
Liam takes his phone back as the elevator opens into the penthouse, and the doors close behind us.
“Sheldon asked me to pour you a drink to settle your nerves,” Trent states, heading over to the bar. “Glass of wine or something stronger?”
“I think today calls for tequila. The good stuff,” I answer.
Trent pours a shot and hands it to me.
“Brings new meaning to the phrase day drinking,” I murmur, slamming it back in one shot and giving him my empty glass. “I could go for another, if you don’t mind,” I state, and have to smile at the grin that takes over his face.
“One more,” the bossy security guard acknowledges, pouring me another glass and handing to me. “I’d take it easy on this one.”
“Well, I for one think a day like this ought to allow me to drink as much as I want.
I’m fairly sure Sheldon would agree with that.”
“Sheldon said ‘a drink,’ not drinks as in plural, and until he says different, that’s the last drink you’re having.”
