the chairs at the kitchen counter.
“Yeah, well, my guess is they didn’t expect to come up against someone like you. Whoever sent them didn’t do their homework. After what happened, Jack’s team found someone trying to hack into our system. They were looking for information on you and Saint. The team traced the hack, but when our team got there, they were gone. They underestimated us once. It’s unlikely they’re going to do so again.”
“Any connection between these guys and the ones from Sri Lanka?”
Gio jolted. “You think it’s the same people?”
“We don’t know. Jack’s team is still gathering intel on the kidnappers from Sri Lanka. The team’s looking into kidnap activity in the area, as well as any possible witnesses, but so far, no luck. It’s been a little over a year since the incident, so it’s going to take time. We’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, I’m putting a second team on you, Gio. I’m also going to send someone else to back up Saint. These guys aren’t just going to walk away from this. They’re going to regroup and try again.”
Sacha glanced up, and Gio nodded. He let out a shaky breath. As much as he hated the idea of more security, it was the right thing to do.
“Okay. Thanks,” Sacha said before hanging up. He got up and sat next to Saint on the couch.
While the two discussed King’s idea to up Gio’s security, Gio got to work on cooking the three of them breakfast. It was nice having people over. His big house didn’t seem so empty. Maybe he should think about having a barbecue or something, let everyone know they were always welcome in his home. His thoughts went back to Sri Lanka. He still couldn’t wrap his head around the idea that what happened back then could be connected to all of this. If it was, why now? Why wait almost a year to make another attempt? He needed to stop thinking about this. Without any real information, he’d just be grasping at straws.
Gio made plenty of scrambled eggs for the three of them, along with bacon. Chip stared up at him with those big brown eyes, his tail wagging. Darting a glance at Sacha, Gio slipped Chip a piece of bacon, whispering, “Don’t tell Daddy.”
“I like that you think I don’t know what you’re up to.”
Gio startled, a hand flying to his chest. “Christ!” He turned to glare at Sacha. “Where the hell did you come from?”
Sacha laughed. “You were too busy conspiring with the furry troublemaker to realize I’d gotten up.” He arched an eyebrow at Gio. “Did you think you were going to cook bacon and get away with him not trying to fleece you?”
“It was just one little piece.” One little piece that Chip seemed to have swallowed whole. “I’m not sure he chewed, though.”
“Yeah, bacon isn’t meant to be chewed, only sucked in like a vacuum. Also, you’re a pushover, so I’m here to make sure you don’t give him any more.”
Chip whined, and Gio looked from Sacha to Chip and back. Sacha planted his hands on his hips.
“Listen here, you two. This is not a democracy. You’re not cute, and you’re not as sneaky as you think you are.”
Gio batted his lashes at Sacha and pointed at Chip, who licked Gio’s finger. “But that face.”
Unimpressed, Sacha pointed at his face. “This face. This is the face you need to be concerned about. I know he’s got you wrapped around his paw, but you need to be stronger than this. Give him an inch and he’ll—”
Chip barked, spun around, then dropped onto his side in the middle of the kitchen. Gio gasped.
“Oh my God, what happened? What’s wrong with him?”
Chip barked and howled as he twisted and turned, paws waving as he flopped about.
“What happened is he sensed your weakness, and now he’s throwing a temper tantrum.”
Gio stared down at Chip. He’d never seen a dog throw a temper tantrum before. “That’s hilarious.”
“Yeah, real fun when you’re in the middle of the supermarket.”
“Should I—”
“Ignore him? Yes. This will be a common occurrence if you give in, so just step over him and carry on. When he sees you’re not going to give in, he’ll get up.”
So much personality. Somehow Gio wasn’t surprised. He was Sacha’s dog, after all. Doing his best to resist Chip and his epic side-eye, Gio placed plates filled with breakfast on the counter. The three of them ate, and as Sacha predicted, when