CDR as doormen? Is this serious or are we desperate for work?”
Craig sobered. “It’s serious.”
“Okay then, I’m on my way.”
“Thanks, Griff.”
He disconnected the call and made another one to Ronan. Once Craig had ensured Griff could gain access to the club, he turned to see both men staring at him. “Your driver is on his way.”
“I don’t need a driver,” Jem said petulantly.
“You do tonight. Humor me. You get home safely, and we sleep easier.” Craig wasn’t letting Jem set foot one step outside without protection.
“Coffee or something stronger?” Louis asked Jem.
“Coffee please. I don’t drink.”
Louis didn’t pursue it, and Craig remembered him saying Jem had had a bad experience.
“I’ll organize that,” Craig said, pulling out his phone again as Louis moved to stand.
He was much happier to have Louis in his office where no one could get at him, but he was staying with him. Like his brother, Jem didn’t send any alarm bells ringing as the instigator of the attack on Louis, but he’d walked in on Jem yelling at Louis. He shouldn’t have left him alone. He was Louis’s bodyguard. He needed to remember that.
Louis rolled his eyes but sat down next to Jem and started a conversation about some cocktail he’d had at Peacocks. Jem looked relieved at the change in subject.
Craig called Jace this time.
“Yup?” The noise was deafening.
“Can you get coffees for us?”
“Am I a kickass bodyguard or your waiter?” Jace griped.
“You’re whatever I tell you to be. Quit bitching.”
Jace grumbled again but he took the order and a few minutes later Craig heard a knock at the door.
He opened it and burst out laughing. Jace was there with the tray, wearing a Romero’s waitstaff T-shirt and some frilly nonsense on his head.
“You look ridiculous,” he said.
Jace grinned at him and handed over the tray. “You’re welcome.”
Craig shook his head. “Go away. Do something useful.”
Jace flipped him off and disappeared.
Craig used his foot to close the door and brought the coffees over to the glass table by the couch. Louis grinned at him. “What was funny?”
“Jace dressed up as one of your wait staff.”
“At least it wasn’t Doug.”
“Perish the thought.” Craig actually shuddered.
Jem took the coffee and sat back. He looked tired. He took a sip of coffee. “This is good.”
“It should be,” Louis murmured. “I pay for the best.”
Fifteen minutes on the dot, there was another knock at the door. Craig opened it to see a familiar face.
“Griff, good to see you.”
“And you, man. How long’s it been?”
They hugged and thumped each other on the back. A similar age to Craig, Griff looked like a guy you didn’t want to meet in an alley, but he had the biggest heart Craig had ever known. He’d worked with Griff many times until he’d run away to the other side of the world.
Craig drew him into the office and turned to the two men sitting on the couch.
“Griff, this is Louis. You met him before.”
Louis waved at them. “Hi, Griff. It’s been a long time.”
“Too long,” Griff agreed. “Why the fuck did you go to Monaghan?”
Craig nudged him in the ribs. “Tactful as ever.”
“Yeah, sorry.” But Griff’s attention was on the man sitting beside Louis. “This is my escort?”
“Yes. Jem, this Griff Carlton. We’ve worked together for years. Jem owns Peacocks.”
“With my brother,” Jem said, his eyes on Griff.
“I’ve been there. It’s good. Bit fancy for my tastes.”
“Beer and wings and a game?” Jem asked, and he didn’t sound sarcastic.
“Or a show. I like going to the theater.”
“So do I,” Jem murmured.
Craig looked between them, and then at Louis, who rolled his eyes.
“Okay, you guys can do the get to know you questions on the ride home. I want Jem well away from here in case Strada turns up again.”
Griff tore his gaze away from Jem to look at Craig. “Strada’s been here?”
“It’s a long story. But Strada knows where Jem lives. I want him delivered to his door, and ensure security is in place at the building. Any issues, call me.”
“On it.” Griff turned back to Jem. “Are you ready?”
“I need my coat.” Jem stood along with Louis. “I know I should thank you.”
Louis squeezed his arm. “I understand. You’re a bit raw at the moment. I’ve been there. Take care of him,” he said to Griff.
Griff nodded and guided Jem out of the office, his hand on Jem’s back, as Craig called the team to be ready in case Strada showed his face.
Louis flopped back on the couch. “Do you think either of