Nothing to do, no one to talk to, and it’s killing me.
I’m busy pacing the room when a knock sounds at my door. Narrowing my eyes, I walk over and peer through the peephole. There’s no one there, so I crack it open. I see a white envelope on the floor, so I reach down and pick it up and tuck it under my arm, glancing around before stepping inside the apartment again. I lock the door and then turn, taking the envelope into the kitchen and using a knife to open it.
I pull out the slip of paper and my heart starts pounding as my eyes scan over the words.
Back off him. This is your last warning. Watch your back.
My hands shake as I drop the note and lower my head, trying to steady my breathing. They’re trying to get to me, they’re trying to make me frightened. And it’s working. They know where I live. My head snaps up. Holy shit, they know where I live. I scurry towards my phone, pulling it out and dialing Nak.
“Laney, how are you?”
“Nak,” I squeak.
“What’s wrong?”
“They know where I live,” I say, my voice sounding as frightened as I feel.
“What happened? Did they come there? Laney, are you okay?”
“They left a note, a threat. Why are they coming after me?”
“Calm down,” he says carefully. “Believe it or not, it is normal for people to react this way to a bodyguard. I’ve never lost a bodyguard though, and you won’t be the first. If they know where you live, you’ll be safer staying with someone else.”
“I won’t put any of my family in danger, is there somewhere else I can go?”
“If you want to, the nights you’re not with Jax, you can stay in a hotel close by. It’s up to you. The company will cover the costs.”
“Really?” I say, feeling a little less shaky.
“Absolutely. Don’t let them scare you off, Delaney, because that’s what they’re trying to do. Pack a bag, bring the note to me, and I’ll organize a hotel.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t tell Jax about the note, it’ll only add to his stress. We’ll sort this out. I may have to put Kyle on as extra protection for a while, will that be a problem?”
I shake my head even though he can’t see it. “That’s fine, Nak.”
“Come by the office, we’ll sort it out. Stay calm, Laney, it’ll be okay.”
God, I hope he’s right. I really, truly do. How am I going to protect Jax, when my life is being threatened also? This job is a lot harder than I ever imagined. I always thought it would be me saving a life, not worrying about who the hell is going to save mine.
* * *
I go out with Jed and Mitch that night, needing to clear my mind before I start work again tomorrow. We go to a local bar downtown and get our drink on. The dancing and excessive amounts of alcohol seem to help take the stress away. Well, they cloud the anxious part of my mind and that’s all I need right now.
Nak called me earlier and told me Kyle had received the same note, there was also a suspicious note delivered to the offices. This makes me feel slightly better, purely because it would seem they’re putting a target on all of us, and not just me. That means it could be a bunch of amateurs trying to scare us off. At least, that’s what Nak thinks.
He said they’re probably young recruits and are trying to run their own show.
“Another shot!” Mitch says, sliding a tequila shot towards me.
I reach across the long wooden bar and snatch it before anyone else can, then I tip my head back and swallow it. I’m spiraling out of control, my legs are wobbly, my body is warm and my head is spinning. I feel great. Jed appears beside me and he too has another shot, then he wraps his arm around my shoulders and yells, “It’s been so long since we’ve been out, Laney!”
“I know, right?”
“Let’s dance again!”
All three of us wiggle out to the dance floor and when some groovy music comes on, we start shaking our hips, throwing our hands in the air. Mitch is being a little grabby, occasionally putting his hands on my hips and bringing our bodies close, but I try to ignore it. I put it down to alcohol and let it go.
During the fourth song, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out and glance down at the screen, shocked to see Jax’s name flashing. I shove through the crowd, putting the phone to my ear, and answer with a slurred, “Hello?”
“Delaney!” Jax barks. “Where are you?”
“Hello, Jax,” I yell.
“Delaney?” he calls.
“Hang on!”
He can’t hear me, so I rush down the long narrow hall until the music isn’t so loud, then I try again. “Jax?”
“Where the fuck are you?”
“Nice to talk to you too, handsome.”
“Are you drunk?”
“What? No. Yes.”
I burst into a fit of giggles.
“Jesus F. Christ, where the hell are you?”
“Dancing!”
“Delaney, tell me where the fuck you are. I know about the note you all got sent. You shouldn’t be out alone.”
“I’m dancing, sir.”
“Stop playing fucking games and get a cab here, right now.”
“Ah, no.”
“Delaney, don’t test me.”
I laugh. “You’re bossy tonight, didn’t you get lucky?”
“Delaney!” he barks.
“Oh don’t be such a tight ass, Mr. Shields, I’m only dancing.”
“That’s it, where the fuck are you?”
“I told you, dancing.”
“Delaney,” he warns. “Where are you?”
I slur the name of the club and then lean against a wall.
“I’m coming to get you.”
“Kyle won’t like that,” I sing.
“Kyle can kiss my fucking ass.”
I giggle again.
“Don’t move, stay right where you are, and don’t move.”
“Yes, boss,” I say, dropping the phone.
I giggle again and stumble a few times as I reach down to get it. When it’s safely in my hands, I see Jax has hung up. I hear a song I like and pivot, rushing back out onto the dance floor. I find Mitch and Jed, and start wiggling again, forgetting that Jax is coming for me. I feel my phone buzz a few times, but I am far too drunk to try and pull it from my pocket.
I keep dancing, arms in the air, screaming happily. A hard set of arms go around my waist as I’m breaking out one of my signature moves, and I am spun around until I’m facing a stony-faced Jaxson. Kyle is standing right behind him, arms crossed, angry expression on his face. “Hello there, sunshine.” I wave to him. His glare becomes even more intense.
“Let’s go,” Jax says, leaning down and putting his shoulder into my belly.
Then I’m launched up and into the air and we’re moving through the crowd at a rapid pace. I weakly pummel my fists into Jax’s back, but my efforts are futile, he’s on a mission. Kyle is walking ahead of him, scanning the crowd like a madman. We go out a back door and Jax drops me into his car before sliding in. Kyle gets in beside me, and suddenly I’m jammed in between them.
“It’s a man sandwich!” I cry happily, clapping my hands.