a noise.
Quick sat up, knuckling his eyes. He didn’t look so immaculate now. The shirt was creased and there were sweat stains under the arms. He grabbed his phone. “Dammit.”
“He said he’ll see you tomorrow. He had to go to a meeting.” Craig waved the coffee pot and Quick nodded.
“He’s never going to let me forget I fell asleep on him.”
Craig smiled. “I think he understands. He asked me about the case.”
“What did you tell him?” Quick asked sharply, his eyes narrowed.
“Nothing.”
“Good.” Quick seemed satisfied. “I love Zach, but he needs to keep his nose out of QuickFyre business.”
“He doesn’t have any involvement in the day to day details?”
“Hell no. He makes money. Protecting people is my business.”
Craig handed Quick a mug and retrieved the sandwich from the fridge.
“Food too. Thanks, mate.”
Craig watched Quick inhale the sandwich. “There’s a second one if you want it,” he said. “I made it for Louis, but I think he’s gonna be drinking soup for a week.”
The second sandwich went the way of the first, along with more coffee.
Craig shook his head. “Do you want me to get takeout?”
Quick seriously considered it. Craig could see him debating the idea. Then he shook his head. “I need to get back to London. Can we discuss arrangements? I was going to take you to CDR, but I’ve got to fly back.”
“It’s okay. I know them well. Is it the usual arrangements with the back-up team?”
Quick nodded. “You’ve got three teams working with you around the clock. Each member has been hand-picked by Dominic. None of them raised any flags about working for someone else. Josh vetted them all. You know what he’s like. He knows their dick length and shoe size.”
“I don’t want to know,” Craig muttered. “As long as they can do their job and stay away from Louis.”
Quick’s eyebrow shot up. “They will need contact with their client.”
“I’m their liaison,” Craig said flatly.
“You can’t be there all the time.”
“I will be.”
Quick frowned and Craig could see he wasn’t happy with the idea. He prepared for a battle.
“One member of the team has to be in contact with Mr. Romero should something happen to you. You can pick the man, but it’s non-negotiable.”
Craig waited, but Quick just stared back at him. “Show me the list.”
Quick tapped into his phone and turned it around so Craig could see the screen. Craig quickly scanned the list of names, pleased to see he knew most of them personally.
“Doug. He can be the liaison. I trust him.”
“He’s also straight and happily married with three kids.”
“Yes.”
That was non-negotiable as far as Craig was concerned. No daddy was going anywhere near Louis.
Quick shrugged. “Done. I’ll let Dominic know. Either he or Jason will be in touch.”
“Who’s on tonight?” Craig asked.
“Doug’s team, with Padraic and Lloyd.”
Good men. Craig relaxed fractionally. He could take time to organize himself. He needed to get clothes from his apartment. Dominic would arrange that if he asked.
“Craig?”
He turned to see Louis blinking sleepily at him in the doorway of the kitchen. He’d managed to put on sweats and a hoodie, but his feet were bare.
Craig got up immediately and guided Louis to the seat next to him. “Hey, Lou, I thought you’d sleep longer.”
“I’m hungry,” Louis confessed with a blush.
Craig grinned. Louis was a big man and feeding him had been one of Craig’s primary occupations when they were together. Craig could eat, but Louis could pack away enough food for two.
“How does your jaw feel?” he asked.
“Sore,” Louis admitted, feeling it over.
“Soup it is,” Craig said. “Do you think you could manage grilled cheese?”
“That would be great.” Louis yawned. “Sorry, Liam, how are you?”
“I’m fine. I’m going to go home before my boyfriend freaks out.” Quick smiled.
Craig noticed what a warm smile he had, and the fact he was aiming it at Louis. He turned to Louis who smiled at Quick. Craig clenched his jaw as he stalked over to the pantry. This was a job. They already knew each other. Craig needed to keep his jealousy under control.
“Craig, you okay?”
He turned at the question to find Louis giving him an anxious stare. Quick was trying and failing to hold back a smirk. Craig sighed. He was being an ass. Quick wasn’t interested in Louis. He had a boyfriend at home. A super-rich, super-handsome boyfriend who gave him private jets to travel on.
“I’m fine. Just tired. You can go now,” he said to Quick.
Maybe that came out as a growl. Fuck it, he just wanted Quick