Chapter 14
“Five,” I answered for them. “Each one more graphic than the previous. That’s why I’d like to talk to you.”
Amelia narrowed her eyes at her brothers. “I’ll deal with you two later.”
When they left, I gestured to one of the office chairs and sat down when Amelia did. “I wouldn’t go too hard on them. They hired me to protect you and Petunia.”
“What are you a cop, a fed?”
“Worse.” Gwen smiled. “I’m an operative with FDG. I’m paid and trained to handle stuff the three letter agencies won’t handle, just to name a few. There are several branches in our organization.”
“Is this a joke?” she asked.
“We at Fairy Damn Godmother would never joke about safety.”
“You’re crazy,” she squeaked and rose abruptly from the chair.
Amelia was one ofthosewomen. There were several stages in dealing with death,and from what the guys had told me, I’d been led to believe that we were past the acceptance stage. I didn’t even think she’d accepted that any of this was real. I wanted to shake sense into her, but there was only one real way to make her understand.
“In less than five minutes from the time I arrived, I reached your daughter’s room. It took fifteen minutes before her guard returned from making out with someone on the premises. The lipstick on his cheek and collar was a dead giveaway. I’ve spotted another five entry points just from driving around the exterior of this property, Ms. Pierce. Would you like to marry your fiancé knowing that no harm will come to your daughter or yourself?”
The color drained from the woman’s face as she stared slack-jawed back at me.
“They aimed those death threats toward your daughter, but they were the consequences if you gothrough with this wedding. So, tell me, Ms. Pierce. Who in your past or in your inner circle is against your upcoming nuptials?”
A hand covered her mouth. I was seconds away from knocking sense into her. Ms. Delany frowned upon fighting with clients, although sometimes situations called for it.
“Dexter works for the state’s attorney office. I met him through Max.” Amelia finally eased back into her chair. “He’s a prosecutor. I don’t know who on his end might have it out for us.” Amelia’s eyes softened. “Only a monster would threaten my little girl, right?”
“There are all kinds of crazy people in the world,” I said and squeezed Amelia’s hand. “No one will hurt her. You have my word.”
Amelia nodded.
“Now is there anyone in your inner circle that’s jealous? Maybe an ex of yours or his? It’s someone who doesn’t want to see your wedding happen. Can you think of anyone?”
“His ex-wife and my ex-boyfriend.” She said the words as though she didn’t believe it was possible.
Now we were getting somewhere. “I’ll need a list. If you can work on it tonight or in the morning, that would be great.”
She nodded.
“You should go enjoy your daughter’s birthday party. Nothing is happening to either of you today. You have my word.”
“Fairy Damn Godmother?”
“FDG.” I nodded.
“That’s a stupid name.”
“You might not think so when I’m spreading my magical fairy dust and stomping my crystal shoes into an assailant's face.”
****
I huddled with Rose and Cassandra in the yard, keeping Petunia in my sight as we discussed the next plan of action. Retraining security was the priority. The gaps in their system would be closed before my head even hit a pillow. Max and Carter were mingling with the crowd of grownups while the children played. I patted Rose on the arm and smiled. “Cassandra, you’re on kid detail. Rose, you’ve got Amelia. I’ll be on the comm if you need me, but I really need to speak with the Pierce brothers.”
“That’s a security detail I’d like to take.” Cassandra winked.
I rolled my eyes, met Carter and Max’s gazes, and gestured with my head toward the house.
