“The morning is fine.” Asher waved a hand. “They’re not going anywhere tonight.”
Oz nodded that he’d heard, but he didn’t look up from the tablet. “Anyone else?”
Asher chewed the corner of his bottom lip as he thought about it. His natural instinct was to protect everyone. Becca, Maddie, Cameron’s friends, his parents, the sweet teenager who served him coffee at the diner. Realistically, however, he knew that would never work.
“Natalie Stone.” Kyle Anders had met her when he’d shown up at Asher’s house to blackmail him, and the way he’d looked at her… “I don’t want to freak her out, but I want to make sure she’s safe.”
“Low key. Got it.” Finally, Oz lowered the tablet and looked up to meet Asher’s gaze. “The others?” He inclined his head toward the men sitting on the sofa. “Do you want them to know?”
Luke wouldn’t mind having a bodyguard following him around. Hell, he’d probably love it. The only real concern would be him distracting the person who was supposed to be protecting him by constantly trying to get into his pants. Nico, on the other hand, would never go for it. At over six feet tall with bulging muscles covered in colorful ink, he looked intimidating enough. He could definitely take care of himself, but he’d also never had to deal with anything like this before.
Cameron…well, he’d probably protest at first, but in the end, reason and practicality would prevail.
Asher sighed. “No, it’s probably better if they don’t know.”
“No problem.” Oz gave him a sympathetic nod. “I need to make a couple of phone calls.” Turning to the side, he angled himself toward the exit. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.”
Asher watched him leave, silently going over everything that needed to be done. He still had to meet with the PR guy. He didn’t know exactly how much help the guy would be, but he figured hearing him out wouldn’t hurt anything. There would probably be a pressconference. Everyone would want him to make a statement.
He swallowed hard.
He’d written scenes like that in his books, usually with a police chief or attorney standing at a podium in front of a room full of reporters. That was fiction, though. In real life, he had no idea what he was supposed to say.
Lost in thought and trying to keep it together, he didn’t notice Becca’s approach until she sidled up next to him with two glasses in hand. “You look like you could use a drink.”
Taking the proffered glass, Asher tossed it back, downing the contents in one swallow. He placed the empty glass down on the credenza beside him, sighing as the bourbon spread warmth throughout his entire body.
“God, you’re the best.”
Becca laughed, the sound feminine and almost musical. It was a little disconcerting since she was still dressed as an extremely convincing witch, complete with fake warts and a pointed hat. “Breathe, Ash. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to get through this.”
“I know, but right now, I just hate the waiting. I hate not knowing what’s going to happen.” He fisted his hands at his sides to stop their trembling as anger and panic waged a silent war inside his mind. “I need to be doing something.” Realizing how ungrateful he sounded, he tookBecca’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Thank you. I don’t know if I could do this without you.”
Becca grinned, but it was a sad little smile, and it didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, I think you’d manage.” She finished the rest of her drink and licked her painted lips. “I’ll talk to the attorneys again in the morning. They think there are grounds for a restraining order against this Anders guy. That should at least give you some peace of mind while we figure out the rest.”
“A restraining order?” Asher frowned as he took her empty glass and placed it next to his own. “What grounds?”
“He showed up at your house, didn’t he? Cameron’s work.” She lifted her hand and waved it around dismissively. “Let the legal guys worry about the whys.”
Asher had little faith that a piece of paper would do a damn thing to deter Kyle Anders, but he didn’t say so out loud. If it made Becca feel better, she and her army of suits could file for a restraining order. It wasn’t like it could make things any worse.
In the meantime, he would do whatever it took to protect the people he cared about, even if that meant having them followed by armed bodyguards.
Something of his thoughts must have shown on his face, because Becca leaned toward him and lowered her voice. “No offense, but you look terrible.” Her gaze flickered toward the sofa, then back. “Go talk to Cameron. I’m sure he could use a break as much as you.”
“I will in a minute. I need to talk to—”
“Asher.” She waited until he pressed his lips together and met her stare. “There are people to take care of everything.”
“Talon Andrews—”
“Won’t be here until tomorrow. If he calls, I’ll handle it.” She cupped his elbow and gave him a gentle push. “Now, go.” Holding her hand up, she wrinkled her nose at the glistening oil on her fingers. “Maybe take a shower while you’re at it.”
He’d been so worried about keeping Cameron safe, he hadn’t actually stopped to talk to him. He hadn’t even asked him how he was feeling. Likely, he was a complete mess on the inside, but in typical Cameron fashion, no one would be able to tell it by looking at him. The guy had buttoned-up down to a science.
As much as he hated to admit it, she was right. He was spinning, spiraling out of control through a dark, unending abyss. Memories he thought long buried bubbled to the surface, flashing through his mind like a strobe light he couldn’t ignore.
His parents’ neglect, his mother’s indifference, his father’s violence.
