chosen to conserve his energy for a fight he could win.
Besides… He wanted the ocean view.
He sighed, trying to refocus on the present conversation with Anthony. “What time does she get in?”
“Seven tonight.”
“Who else knows she’s flying in?”
“The Milan security detail, pilot, and home office staff. She said you’d be proud to know she didn’t post a billboard with details.”
Bull chuckled. Rachel may be fierce in the boardroom, but to her very tiny circle of friends and trusted employees—mainly those who had supported her while she worked her way back from her grief-stricken state years ago—she was fiercely loyal and considerate. Regardless of the role she played in the eyes of her business associates, she remained grounded with her closest staff members. “Send me the info.”
Reluctantly, he walked away from the window. He had a short list of errands to run before heading out to the airport for a full security sweep.
After a long shower and a shave, he walked out to his room, a towel wrapped around his hips and another in his hand scrubbing at his hair. He really needed a damn trim. Hair products made his scalp itch, and he was having a hard time keeping the mess of thick hair under control.
He stood by the nightstand and grabbed his phone, debating if he should initiate a text. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Ben had piqued his curiosity at first sight, but after spending the last three weeks with him at the shop and during their evening video chats, he was officially under his spell. Ben was kind, caring, and appreciated others. And the thought of hurting someone’s feelings genuinely wreaked havoc on his sanity.
While on a job and with his mind squarely focused on his client, Bull barely made contact with anyone outside of the immediate bubble to avoid distractions. But there was no way he would switch into work mode without reaching out to Ben beforehand.
He launched a message window and typed out a quick text. I’ve got a job that just came up and starts tonight. It’ll last for a couple of days. I usually go silent while I work.
He set his phone down and walked over to his closet to fetch his overnight and garment bags. Two suits and two changes of business casual just in case Rachel wanted to have him blend in a bit more. He glanced over his shoulder as a message pinged. With a silly grin on his face, he trotted over and laid out the clothes on his bed. He reached for his phone, his eyebrows twitching as he read the text.
Thanks for telling me. Be safe.
He stared at the message, his pulse hiking up. No interrogation, no pushing to ask what he would be doing and who with. Just a simple acceptance of his comment and a well-wish. Even the well-wish and concern for his safety were different.
He texted a quick will do to Ben, refusing to read too much into his racing heartbeat. After sending a short message to Natalie letting her know he would be AWOL for a while, he made a list of tasks he needed to check off before deep diving into work for the next few days.
As he jotted down items on his notepad app, he absently kept switching back to Ben’s reply. Those two words spun in his head. Two…simple…words. Be safe. Other than his mother—who had worried about everything—and his sister’s occasional don’t get killed message, he hadn’t had someone give a shit about his well-being.
Even though he tried, he couldn’t will his heart to ignore it.
Two simple words, likely given without a second thought.
They might have meant nothing to Ben.
For Bull, they meant everything.
= ♥ =
A tap to Ben’s shoulder caught his attention.
“I’ve got to pick up some stuff. Want to join me?” Julian signed.
Ben quickly nodded. He had read through the baking book Natalie had given him for that weekend and was now bored out of his mind trying to find something to do to stay busy. Anything to keep his mind off Gabriel. While Gabriel could obviously take care of himself, Ben couldn’t help the flicker of worry that sparked inside. Just the thought of him getting hurt was tough to stomach. He debated what to respond and had deleted several phrases. Be safe had been the safest bet to convey his concern without going off the deep end. He hadn’t wanted to go overboard, worrying the way Julian and Shaw always seemed