He dialed Kade, who picked up on the first ring. “Hey, man. You left the party early. Everything okay?”
Lucas stared out the window into the night. “I’ll explain soon. In the meantime, your friend Ian Dare, the one who invested in Blink…” Ian and Kade had been friends in college, meeting after Lucas dropped out. “Didn’t you once say he had a brother with a top-notch security firm?”
“Yes. Tyler Dare. He co-owns Double Down Security with his brother, Scott. They’re based in Miami, but I’m sure they can either send you someone or hook you up with a reputable firm here. You sure you don’t want to tell me what’s going on?”
“Later. I need to make some arrangements first, but thanks.”
“Any time. I’ll text you the number as soon as we hang up.”
Lucas disconnected the call with Kade and put in a call to Double Down Security. With a little luck, he’d have security on the people he loved by morning.
He stopped short at his choice of words, then realized he shouldn’t be surprised. He’d loved Maxie for a long time. Granted, it hadn’t been the same kind of love he felt for her now. When he was younger, he’d had a crush, then as they got older, he’d idolized her. Considered her out of his league as any more than a friend. Then they’d grown apart, and though he’d held on to the adoration he’d felt for her, the truth was he hadn’t really known Maxie, the woman she’d become. And once his brother moved in, Lucas had taken an even bigger step back, both mentally and emotionally. He’d always been there for her, but they hadn’t connected.
Lucas truly believed that now they were living their time. And he didn’t want anything getting in the way. Which meant he also had to sit his parents down and make sure they understood exactly who their other son had been. And why they had to leave Lucas and Maxie alone.
* * *
The storage unit was still in upheaval from Bernardi’s search. Maxie hadn’t had time to clean up the mess the first time she visited, so she and Lucas worked for hours righting things and searching everything they could for a small flash drive.
It wasn’t easy to keep her anger, frustration, and hurt at bay during the long morning. All aimed at the crazy man she’d married. She closed up a box that contained Keith’s personal effects from his nightstand drawer, once again not coming up with the elusive flash drive. She probably ought to be afraid, but with Lucas by her side, she didn’t allow that emotion to surface. She’d worry about Vincent Bernardi later.
“You know,” she said to Lucas, “I packed Keith’s stuff up for a reason. It’s not like I want to be looking through his papers and personal effects. I was planning to give your mom a key when she was ready and let your parents decide what to keep and what to get rid of.”
Lucas placed a hand over hers. “I’m sorry you have to go through this.”
She smiled wryly. “It’s definitely not your fault. And I appreciate your help.” She didn’t know what she’d have done without him.
“When are you going to realize I’d do anything for you?” he asked.
He’d made that comment at other times in the past, but something in his brown eyes and intense expression was different now. More protective. Possessive.
Before she could figure out what, he continued. “And because I’d do anything for you, I have some things I’d like to talk to you about, and after a morning doing this, you’re not going to like it.”
“Spit it out. I’m not sure there’s much more that can shock me.”
He nodded. “I hired security to protect you. I don’t trust this Bernardi character, and I’m worried about him coming near you again.”
She blew out a long breath. “And you’re expecting me to be upset that you’re making decisions for me or taking over my life?”
“Something like that.”
She stood and walked over to the box on which he sat, rested her head on his shoulder.
Exhaustion overwhelmed her but he was her rock. “I’m not upset. I’m so grateful that you care enough to keep me safe. I can be stubborn but I’m not stupid.”
He laughed and breathed out an obvious sigh of relief. “Well, that went easier than I thought. Next I have to deal with my parents.”
She looked up and met his gaze. “Have you heard from them?”
He shook his head. “But I need to go see them.”
“Okay … they’re your parents. You should visit with them.” But there was something he wasn’t saying. “Lucas, what’s wrong?”
“I hired people to protect them too. What if Bernardi starts to think maybe Keith gave the flash drive to my mother or father for safekeeping? He could go after them.” Lucas clenched his hands into fists.
“Oh my God. Do you think Keith did?” Maxie asked, horrified by the notion.
“Everything inside me wants to say no. He wouldn’t involve my parents, but if you’d asked me six months ago, I wouldn’t have thought he’d involve you.”