Page 15 of Taz's Guards

I followed him away from the main room. “What’s happened since I left? Flick looks like shit, and she had no idea where Taz was. He’s not stepping out on her, is he?”

If he was, I’d kick his ass for real.

With a heavy sigh, Keys passed through a doorway. He didn’t answer me until he was sitting behind a desk covered in monitors with a laptop in the center.

“Your brother loves Flick and Lolly. I can’t imagine he’d even look at another woman at this point. He’s struggling with wrapping his head around what happened. Didn’t help a few of the club also knew about Gordon, and everyone kept it from him. Not sure what he needs to reset, but hopefully he works it out soon.”

After tapping at the keyboard for a minute, he sat back and looked to where I was still standing just inside the door.

“You just visiting for your niece’s birthday, or you moving?”

Forcing a smile, I raised an eyebrow at him. “Why do you want to know?”

He waved a hand around his desk. “Because we need more people who are already trained to work with Athena Security. Scout wasn’t blowing smoke up your ass. We’ve finally found some office space that’ll work, so we can move it out of here. We’ve got brothers keen to join, but they need training. That all takes time.”

Tapping my fingers against my thigh, I stared at Keys and weighed up how much I should tell him.

“Close the door and come sit down, Jacie. Tell me what the fuck happened after your dad summoned you back home. Your secrets are safe with me. Nothin’ will leave this room that you don’t want to.”

It wasn’t like I had a ton of options, and my brother trusted this man. Making the decision to take a chance on him and the club, I turned, closed the door and strode over to the chair in front of the desk.

“You already know I broke rules to keep an eye on Gordon. I used resources without permission. Dad did what he could, but it went over his head.” I shrugged. “I didn’t want him to lose his job by trying to keep me mine, so I quit before we both could get fired. I brought everything important to me with me. I did plan to move here, but I know there’s paperwork and shit that’ll need to be done to make it all legal, and I might have to go back to Australia until it all processes.”

Keys tapped at the keyboard again before turning back to me. “You want to work for the club with Athena Security?”

I smiled at him, “Well, it’s that or I go apply down at the local supermarket for a checkout job. Although, not sure that’ll get me a work visa.”

He laughed. “You’re gonna fit in here just fine, girl. Come around this side of the desk, and I’ll show you where your dumbass brother currently is.”

I moved to stand beside him and took in the various screens, most filled with camera feeds. “Damn, Keys. Do you have the whole bloody town wired?”

He smirked. “Something like that. The ones on the main roads in and out of town, I try to monitor, but most of what I’ve set up only gets used if needed. I’m not into invading people’s privacy. I need to know those I care for are safe.”

I nodded, a little in awe at how big a set-up he had, then my gaze caught on the screen that held Taz. With ear protection on, he stood with his legs braced as he held a handgun in front of him and with how it kicked in his grip, I knew he was emptying the clip quickly. His face was drawn, and he had the start of a beard going. He looked as bad as Flick.

“Is the shooting range here in town?”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “I thought you’ve been keeping an eye on your brother?”

I scoffed. “Not on a stalker level.”

“Flick’s uncle owns the local gun range and shop. He had a heart attack not long ago. Taz and Flick have stepped in to help him run a lot of it.” He nodded at the screen. “Guessing he’s venting his frustrations on paper targets down there.”

With hands on hips, I glared at the image of my big brother.

“Since he doesn’t look like he’s packing up any time soon, guess I’ll go give him a boot in the arse so he’ll make it to his daughter’s birthday party today.”

I was about to turn when Keys pulled up another window, this time with what looked like a real estate listing.

“Before you go, what do you think?”

Leaning forward, I took the mouse and scrolled through the photos and read the listing.

“Looks good. I mean, I don’t know Bridgewater well enough to give comment on the location, but the size and number of rooms looks good. Especially if you can get someone to rent that apartment over the top for extra income.”

When he stayed silent, I stood and after folding my arms over my chest, stared him in the eyes.

“Stop beating around the bush, Keys. Speak plainly.”

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