Behind Closed Doors (Behind Closed Doors #1)(73)

“I’ve been looking into an ex-CIA agent who owns a security firm, just in case this turned nasty,” Daniel says. “I’ll call him.”

“Do it,” Jason says. “And make sure he, or whoever we hire, is qualified to deal with the mob without getting caught by Joe f*cking Lagoon. I’m not relying on Buddha, no matter how resourceful he might be. For all we know, staying here makes us sitting ducks.”

“Understood,” Daniel says. “And I couldn’t agree more on all points.”

“Get it done,” Jason says. “Skye and I need some alone time.”

“Understood again.” Daniel exits the kitchen.

Jason’s hands immediately come down on my arms, turning my body to his. “You have to stay with me.”

“I have to work. I have a life. My apartment is in shambles.”

“You heard Buddha,” he says. “You have to stay here with me, and in case you think that’s a problem for me, I want you with me. And I want you safe.”

“In my mind I know I can’t go back right now, but I need to argue. I have a plan, just like you do at the tables. A calculated plan. My control, Jason. My way of surviving. And yes, we’re good right now, and I’ll enjoy being with you, but we’re too new for me to plan for anything but me alone, again.”

His eyes, those green, gorgeous eyes, fill with shadows he never allows anyone to see. “I need to know you’re safe.” He cups my face, just holding me for several beats, just breathing with me, the power of his emotions slamming into me. “I don’t even understand this fully right now,” he says, his voice low, gravelly, “but I need you with me through this, Skye.”

It hits me then that Jason has held the weight of these threats, and the fear for his parents, without allowing anyone to see it. He’s alone in every room of people he’s in, and I understand that.

“I’m here,” I say. “I’m with you. I’m staying.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE


I CALL MY BOSS and it’s not a pleasant conversation, but I get my week. I wonder if it’s really even possible to end this, but I can’t think about myself right now. I’m worried about Jason. This has gone on too long; when will someone get hurt? Daniel seems to be of the same mind, wasting no time lining up a Skype call immediately for Jason and me with the ex–CIA agent. Maybe, just maybe, we’re all going to get the help we want and need.

Jack Monroe is in his forties, with hard features and a confidence about him that instills confidence in others. After an hour of talking, he summarizes for us. “No one will know we’re there,” he says. “Not your parents, not you, not the mob or this Buddha character. I have one of my men checking out Joe and Buddha, but the bottom line here is that we need to know what they’re after, and we don’t have a man inside the mob. Buddha is our fastest option, and we’re going to be watching him. And one final point: keep knowledge about my company’s involvement as narrow as possible. Just you two and Daniel.”

“What about Abel?” I ask. “Shouldn’t we tell him?”

“I’m aware that he’s in the inner circle, but people are human. Think of this like poker. Most people have little tell signs that are better avoided.”

“Narrow it is,” Jason agrees. “And just to confirm, you believe our staying in Vegas is the right move?”

“I think alerting the mob that you need to be dealt with now, not later, is not something you want to do,” Jack says. “Daniel said he could stay around by teasing the TV folks about signing another contract, and I encouraged that. Keeping you all together allows me to get my footing. But find a reason to get out of Vegas next week that’s believable. When is your next tournament outside of Vegas?”

“I could be talked into one at any time, and in any number of places,” Jason says. “It’s just a matter of us deciding the timing is right.”

“Enlist in a few back to back,” Jack says. “We want you to be a moving target.”

It’s not a comforting choice of words.

But we’re protected—I think. This is the mob we’re dealing with.

“And one last thing,” Jack says. “Stay in the rest of the day. Let my men get in place and look for trouble. Consider yourself safe to leave your apartment as of tomorrow morning, unless you hear otherwise.”

We’re protected, but not tonight. Control is everyone else’s. How has Jason lived like this?

There are a few more words exchanged, various instructions given to us, and then the Skype call is over. Jason immediately pulls me to my feet and walks me in front of him and against the desk. “How do you feel about everything?”

“Better than before the call.” I cup his face. “How have you done this alone for this long?”

“The treadmill. And I’m not joking. A lot of f*cking running to clear my head.”

“And yet you sit down at the tables and seem clear-minded.”

“I am. I deal with things alone. Never let them see you blink.” His hands slide under my shirt, resting on my naked skin, and there’s a heat in his touch that tells me where his mind has traveled. “I don’t need the treadmill now, though. I need you naked.”