“Max, she’s too much woman for you,” Carter said.
He was probably right. It would take a special kind ofman to make her happy. She had a blatant disregard for the law, not that Max was complaining. He’d do anything, including break the law, to protect his sister and niece. He had every intention of fulfilling the promised tryst.
Amelia appeared in the kitchen, the lines of her face riddled with anger. “They want me to have a bodyguard, someone to follow me around all damn day.”
“It’s necessary, Amelia. You agreed to this last night,” Max said.
“It’s just until we catch the guy,” Carter added.
“Mommy, you’ll get to have a sleepover too,” Petunia said.
Amelia’s face softened, and she looked at her daughter, but only for a minute. “Mommy is too old for sleepovers.”
Gwen walked into the room behind Amelia. “Try to ditch your detail one more time and we walk.”
“Great.” Amelia tossed her hands up. “I didn’t ask for you guys. You can leave.”
Gwen met Max’s gaze before she moved it to Petunia.
“She’ll do no such thing,” Martha said as she entered the room.
“Mom, when did you get here?” Max asked.
“Thirty minutes ago,” Gwen answered. “The new security guards I stationed wouldn’t let her through without my clearance.”
“It’s about time someone is running this show. Amelia, you’ll cooperate and quit giving Ms. Bennett and her associates a hard time,” Martha said.
She draped her coat on the back of a chair, grabbed a plate of pancakes, and sat next to Petunia. “Hey my sweet girl.”
“Mother, these threats are just threats. No one has acted on them or even attempted to get near me,” Amelia growled.
“Not you, but they have your daughter. She told me about the man at her school and the park,” Gwen said.
Amelia’s eyes widened in horror, and she covered her mouth with her hand. “Pet, what man have you seen? What does he look like?”
Petunia shrugged. “His name is Larry, and he’s my friend. He’s tall like Uncle Max.”
“Baby, what have we told you about talking to strangers?” Amelia asked.
“He’s not a stranger. He’s my friend,” Petunia said.
“She’s safe,” Gwen said, resting her arm on Amelia’s.
Amelia slung it off before she stomped from the room.
“Grammy, I had a sleepover,” Petunia announced.
“I know, sweetie. I’m sorry I missed your birthday. I tried everything I could to make it here on time.”
“It’s okay. Ms. Gwen colored with me and gave me a necklace, and she sent Mr. Johnny home, and Ms. Cassandra and me had a sleepover,” Petunia said without taking a breath.
“It sounds like you had an eventful day,” his mother answered.
The room turned silent when Chef Robin walked in through the back door. Her gaze scanned the new crowd. Carter had people over all the time so the new people mustn’t have been a shock. When Robin’s gaze landed on the plate of pancakes, her eyes twitched as she lifted her gaze to Carter’s. “Pancakes aren’t healthy for Petunia.”
“Sorry, that’s my fault,” Cassandra announced. “She was hungry, and I scoured your cabinets. I hope it’s all right.”
“It’s fine,” Carter answered, sliding his hands into his pockets. “I’ll help Cassandra do the dishes, and you’ll never know we were even in here, Robin.”
