over by the bar, Rocky is the chestnut with bulging biceps. Roffe with the dark hair is over by the booth, and Quil has the rainbow mohawk. Nash, who you have already had pointed out by Hemsworth, is Xander’s lawyer, he thought to bring along for today’s confrontation. Xander’s men will be working here, and you will have a guard on you when you leave here or when I’m not around.”
“These men are working here and guarding me? What for?”
“Roemer is still a threat, so I am staying here to make sure you are safe and to oversee construction.”
Sale of my family’s business? Construction? Guards?
“This is my home. Not yours or theirs. There will be no construction, guards, or anything else you think you have the right to dictate to me.”
“As the owner of this historical building and all its contents, I say who stays and who goes, and lucky for you, you get to stay. If you would like Nash to go over the legalities of what has transpired, I am sure you will find it all on the up and up. I saved your bacon and your greasy stepfather’s ass, although that remains to get seen how long he lasts. A little gratitude would be in order. Make no mistake: Roemer is the type of man to seek retribution. You have had a taste of that already. Queenie, your home is not much good to you if you are dead. Lucky for you, we met, and I am in a place to dig you both out of this hole and acquire an asset I can renovate and make a profit over time. I am your knight in shining armor.” I want to thank Bradford for being there for me, but this is all too raw. “I’m also throwing in twenty-four-hour security for free. I will take a meeting with Xander and his construction crew next; we have much to discuss. If you plan on leaving the building, let me know, and I will escort you or find somebody to do it. Now be a good girl and go do what you would normally do on a Sunday afternoon, but first, are you packing Gino off to jail, or—?”
“Jail. Gino’s fate can lie in the hands of the prison system. He offered me up to get sold, he used my mother for his financial gain, and he left me to the wolves to get assaulted.”
“Nash…”
“I’ll call it in, Bradford. I spoke with my father before I arrived, and the Chicago Police Department has a thick open file on Roemer. The video confession will assist significantly in getting him picked up.”
I’ve had enough. I need some space. “I’m going to Kingdom of Wigs, your highness. It would seem I need a wig.” How did my life get so topsy-turvy?
“Xander, can I borrow one of your men?” Bradford asks.
Xander has been sitting back with his feet up on a table, his ankles crossed, looking like a bucket of popcorn is missing from the picture while Bradford and I went at each other’s throats. “Dolf, escort Queenie. Rocky, could you keep Carrollo company and make sure he stays unconscious. I’ve had enough of listening to him.”
“On it.” They both say in unison.
Dolf winks at me. “I’ve got my motorcycle; you can jump on the back.”
“I’ve got my own bike. I hope you can keep up?” I need air, and riding my bike will ensure I can be by myself and try to absorb everything that’s happened without a room filled with testosterone.
Dolf grins. “I like you.”
“Dolf, this is a job,” Bradford grumbles. “Queenie, no side trips until I have Roemer paid in full.”
“Put a shirt on, and pull your pants up,” I snap out. I can’t concentrate on my anger while he’s half-naked. I’m furious I’ve lost control of my life.
“How remiss of me.” He bends over, scooping up the shirt lying close by on the floor where he would have tossed it. “I will get Hemsworth to bring over some more clothing items. I didn’t want the only clean shirt I had with me to get blood on it while I taught your stepfather some manners. Now, the sooner you go, the sooner you will be back here, safe and sound.”
“You won’t need a wardrobe of clothes. You will be gone by the time I get back.”
“I beg to differ. I’ve already told you I bought the building. And be a good girl and do as you are told.”
“Don’t order me