“No, but it’s better to take precautions that aren’t needed than to not take the ones that are needed.”
“Did my dad tell you to say that?”
I shook my head. “No, it’s something I’ve learned from experience. And even then, sometimes all the precautions in the world aren’t enough.” Suddenly, I was back in the diner, slipping on my brothers’ blood, trying to pump life back into Evie’s body, screaming for anyone to help me.
“Dice!” Daphne said sharply. I blinked, and the room came back into focus. Daphne was standing directly in front of me with her soft hand cupping my cheek. “Are you okay?”
Without an ounce of shame, I closed my eyes and leaned into her hand. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
“What happened?”
“I was remembering a time when the precautions we took weren’t enough.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked softly.
I didn’t. Not at all. But I thought it might be beneficial for her to hear. Taking her hand in mine, I led her to the bed and gestured for her to sit. Then I sat down beside her and told her about the worst day of my life.
“Oh, Dice, I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” she said and wrapped her arms around me.
“Me, too,” I admitted. “But I didn’t tell you that story for sympathy. I told you because I want you to understand that we don’t mind going to extra lengths to make sure people are safe. It may seem like it’s over the top, but we’ve seen what can happen.”
“Hold on. A few months ago, my dad said something about him and Buck having an exciting morning saving lives. Is that what he was talking about? Were they there?”
I nodded. “I would assume that’s what he was referring to. They showed up out of nowhere and jumped right in to help. He wasn’t lying, either. Your dad saved Edge’s life, and Buck helped with Ranger after he tended to Irene.”
“I’m going to have to have a chat with that man about the importance of details when storytelling.”
“In his defense, he probably left out the details for your safety. The shooter was from another motorcycle club. It turned into a huge ordeal. The less anyone knew, the better.”
“In that case, I suppose I can let it slide.”
“So, about your protection?”
“I don’t know how any of that works. What do you have in mind?”
“Your office has cameras and an alarm, right?”
“Yes.”
“How often are you there by yourself?”
“Only when Jan needs to leave early for an appointment and no one else is there, which isn’t very often.”
“I was thinking we’d have someone escort you to and from work. If you’re going to be in the office, I don’t think anyoneneeds to be there. If you’re going to show a house, I think one of the guys should go with you and check the house out first. We can leave before the clients arrive but remain nearby in case we’re needed. As for when you’re not working, well, one of us will need to stay at your house. How does that sound?”
“I’m fine with most of it, but I don’t know how I feel about one of you staying at my house. I’m sure you’re all nice guys, but I don’t really know any of you that well, and I don’t want to be uncomfortable in my own home,” she explained.
“That’s understandable. Would you be okay with me staying with you? Before you answer, it won’t hurt my feelings if you say no.”
“I suppose that would be okay. My dad seems to like you, and he’s always been a good judge of character.”
“Great. I’m sure you’re ready to get home, but I need to run by my house and get a few things. I can do that now, then come back and pick you up. How does that sound?”
“That’ll work for me.”
When we arrivedat Daphne’s house, Diablo ran around the front yard, sniffing and peeing on as many things as he could before Daphne opened the door.
“Let me go inside first,” I said. I started to reach for my gun, but decided to leave it in its holster so I didn’t scare her.