Fast Burn (Body Armor #4)(30)

Snapping her head around to glare at him, Sahara reiterated, “You do not work for me.”

He held up a hand. “So we think the guy got in the front door. That has to mean he had the codes.” Keeping in mind her desire to withhold her personal background, he said, “Sahara told me about another case where a guy who had installed the system had everything he needed to break in.”

“That was different,” she said. “Scott changed the passcode after the installation.” And with that, she shoved to her feet and sashayed off into the kitchen.

Brand watched her go, specifically the sway of her perfect ass in the snug-fitting jeans. Damn. The lady had a body that looked great no matter what she wore.

And if he ever got to see her naked...

With conflicted thoughts, he turned back around—and caught all three of his friends staring at him with varying degrees of interest.

Was he supposed to do a trick? Irate, he asked, “What?”

Steely-eyed, Leese asked, “Are you working for her or not?”

He was still struggling with that decision. “Probably not.”

“Make up your mind already—” Justice said, heading off to join his boss “—or hit the road. She doesn’t need indecision on this.”

Brand wouldn’t allow anyone to push him away from Sahara. “Not happening.”

Justice pivoted with a frown.

“Let it go,” Miles said to Justice.

As the only one of his friends who knew why Brand might leave MMA, Miles probably had more patience to wait for his final decision.

When Justice subsided, Miles lifted a brow at Brand, asking, “You two involved?”

Define involved. Drawn to each other? Definitely. Constantly butting heads? All the time. Smothering in sexual chemistry? God yes.

Brand shook his head. “Not yet sure about that either.” None of them would accept that so he went on without pause. “But I do know she shouldn’t be alone.”

“I’ll be with her,” Justice said. “You just go on home and figure out your life or something.” He strode away for the kitchen.

Brand stared after him. He could understand Justice’s confusion since he didn’t know all the facts, but he’d only put up with so much before he’d lose his temper. “Why the hell is he so pissy about this?”

“He hasn’t shaken off his stint as her personal protection.” Leese, too, started for the kitchen. “I have no idea why you’re even thinking about leaving MMA, but I suggest you make up your mind. Just know that if you stay, it’s a commitment until this is wrapped up. No waffling in and out.”

“I don’t waffle, damn it.”

With a roll of his eyes, Leese disappeared into the kitchen.

Miles waited to chime in until there was only the two of them. “You have some tough choices ahead with the SBC and your fight career. I know that. The thing is, you can’t be part of the setup then just bail if things here aren’t yet resolved. No one is going to accept that, least of all Sahara.” Then Miles left him, too.

Sahara was like the Pied Piper—where she went, the others followed.

Alone in the foyer, Brand grumbled and looked at the door...but he knew he wasn’t going anywhere.

His friends were right—it was past time he made a decision. A lot depended on Sahara. Talking to her, gauging her reaction, was key. He couldn’t do that if he walked away now. If he stayed, if he insisted on being the one to protect her, they’d have ample time to talk it out.

Ample time for other things as well, and that was a concern. He could keep it together, but he had a feeling that dissuading Sahara would take all his wits and then some.

After a deep breath, he joined the others.

He expected to find Sahara devouring more cookies, but instead she stood by herself at the window facing the side yard, watching the sunrise.

As if she’d only been waiting on him, she faced them all, offered up a wan smile and said with her usual sass, “If you boys are done playing, I need to get to the office.”

No one else seemed surprised by that except Brand.

“You’re going in today?” he asked with disbelief.

Sahara gave all her attention to her employees.

Justice said, “I’ll hang around and reprogram your codes.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

“And I’m going to call your landscaper to get that tree trimmed,” Miles said, “then I’ll do a general inspection to see if there are any other weaknesses.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I’ll go to the office with you.” Leese leaned back against the counter. “You saw him this time, right? That means we have some work to do.”

Sahara nodded. “I could use your help as I go through all of Scott’s old associates to see if I recognize him among them.”

Irritated with them all, Brand said to Leese, “She needs to sleep.” And then to Miles and Justice, “She can’t stay here even if you do get things buttoned up. The bastard got in once so he might be able to get in again.”

She gave him a long look. “Shouldn’t you be training for a fight?”

“It’s months away.” And despite what he’d told her, he didn’t yet know if he’d be fighting. He had a lot of conflicts to iron out.