“Believe me, I know.” Fae grinned.
“I’m all packed,” I told Bash, nodding at the stack of luggage. “I’m crashing at Fae’s until this is over.”
“You’re crashing with me,” Bash countered.
I turnedstartled eyes up to stare at his face. “What? Why?”
“First of all, because I want you there. Secondly, because you’ll be safer with me.” He glanced at Fae. “No offense to you, I’m sure you’re more than capable of taking care of yourself. But my building has24-hour security on site, plus an alarm system. Anyone who tries to reach Lux won’t even make it past the parking garage. And if they do, well, let’s just say I did more than take photos during those years in Iraq. Our men in arms taught me enough to handle myself, with or without my gun.”
My eyes went wide. “Does everyone I know carry a gun?”
“Probably,” Bash said, shrugging.
“Pretty much,” Fae agreed, grinning as she reached into her purse on the coffee table and pulled out the smallest handgun I’d ever seen in my life — it was barely bigger than my fist.
“Jesus Christ,” I muttered under my breath.
“Time to go,” Bash said. “I’ll grab your suitcase and the tote, you grab the dress.”
I cast one final look around the apartment, sure I was forgetting something vital. When my eyes landed on the closet, I smacked myself on the forehead with an open palm. I couldn’t believe I’d almost left them behind.
“Wait,” I called, crossing the room and pulling open my closet door. I pulled down the Jamie Box first, followed by the lock box. Stacking them, I carried both back toward Bash and Fae, who were hovering by the doorway. “Now I’m ready.”
Bash stared at the boxes for a moment with a question in his eyes, but managed to contain his curiosity for the time being. We headed out into the hallway and, locking the front door behind me, I walked away from my apartment, unsure how long I’d be away from it. I felt sad as I loaded the car, hugged Fae goodbye, and climbed into Bash’s passenger seat but, looking over at the man sitting next to me, I knew everything would be okay in the end.