Hold Close (Biker Daddy Bodyguards #2) - Sue Brown Page 0,30
probably leaning on it.
Craig cursed under his breath, ran down the stairs, and flung open the door.
“About time,” Dominic snapped.
Any other time, Craig would have told Dominic to fuck off, but not with Monaghan beside him. “Sorry, boss, I was taking care of Mr. Romero.”
He winced. That could be taken so many ways. But Dominic huffed and nodded.
“How is he?”
“Bruised and battered, but glad to be home,” Louis said lightly. “Hello, Dominic, Mr. Monaghan.”
Rick Monaghan nodded, his jaw clearly clenched as he studied Louis. Craig realized this was probably the first time he’d seen him since the assault. It had been a few years since he’d seen the owner of the other security firm, but the man looked as if he’d aged a decade. He was a short, stocky guy who’d always had a ready smile. Now it seemed as if smiling was the last thing on his mind.
“Thanks for seeing me, Mr. Romero,” Monaghan said. “Booker. It’s been a while.”
Craig gave him a curt nod. He wondered if he was the only one who saw the panic running through Louis, but then he caught Dominic’s grim expression as he also looked at Louis. Clearly not. Craig laid a hand on the small of Louis’s back to ground him. “Let’s go into the kitchen.”
Conversation waited until each man had a drink in front of them. Dominic clearly wasn’t in the mood for small talk and neither Louis nor Monaghan seemed inclined to fill the silence.
When Craig sat next to Louis, he pressed his leg against him for comfort. Louis gave him a smile in thanks.
“What do you want to talk about, Monaghan?” Dominic demanded.
Monaghan took a long time before he answered. “First, I want you to know I had nothing to do with what those men did to you.”
Louis nodded. “I know. I believe you.”
Monaghan seemed to relax a fraction. “Thank you. You might be the only one who does.”
“You’ve already said this,” Craig said. “You didn’t have to come here to say it again.”
“I know you and Mr. Romero have history,” Monaghan said.
Craig eyed him with dislike. “And that’s your business because?”
“He left CDR because of you.”
“This is old history,” Dominic snapped.
“Mr. Monaghan, Rick,” Louis said, his voice firm. “What’s my relationship with Craig got to do with you?”
“Nothing,” Monaghan admitted. “But I wonder if this was some way to get you back on the scene, Booker.”
Craig stared at him, and when Louis spoke, it sounded as if he were being strangled.
“Are you suggesting I arranged to be beaten up to get Craig back in my life?”
“Not you, no.”
“And you’re not suggesting I arranged for Louis to be hurt to get back in his life?” Craig demanded.
“No.”
“Then who? Quit talking in riddles,” Craig demanded.
“Eric Strada.”
Chapter 9
Louis
It was the lack of surprise on Craig’s and Dominic’s faces that Louis noticed. So Erik Strada had been on their list of suspects. The idea hadn’t even occurred to Louis. He’d only met the man a few times, and he hadn’t impinged on Louis’s radar.
“Why do you think it might be Strada?” he asked.
Monaghan swallowed his coffee before he spoke. “Just before they split, Strada approached me about taking over the security for Cade Connolly.”
This time, Louis saw actual surprise from Dominic.
“Cade didn’t mention this.”
“I don’t expect Strada told him,” Monaghan said grimly.
“Go on,” Louis said.
“Strada told me what he wanted, and I declined to take the assignment.”
“Why?” Craig asked.
“Because he didn’t want bodyguards. He wanted prison guards.”
None of this surprised Louis. After Cade had told him how his former Daddy treated him, he’d just been pleased Cade had come to CDR for help.
Dominic gave a grim nod. “What did he want from you?”
“Connolly would have been guarded 24/7. When he was away from Strada, he wouldn’t have been allowed to talk to anyone without express permission from Strada.”
“How did he think that would work?” Louis asked. “He’s in the music business.”
“Believe me, the man had it all mapped out.” Monaghan sighed. “He was offering a lot of money. But I’m not into that kind of shit.”
“You didn’t think of telling me this when it all came out?” Dominic asked.
Monaghan glowered at him. “I’m a businessman. My business is my business.”
“But what’s this got to do with Louis and me?” Craig asked.
“When we were talking terms, Strada asked about you. He knew you didn’t work solely for CDR. He didn’t want any Daddies on the team. He was specific about the type of men he wanted.”
“Let me guess,” Craig said cynically. “Straight, married,