Page 130 of Redemption

“Beef has it covered,” Nate said. “What’s up with that call sign anyway?”

I lifted a shoulder. Shea was five foot four, which made her call sign all the more amusing. I’d heard it was because she’d had a grudge against her commanding officer when she’d been in the Air Force. But someone else from Hudson had told me it was because “beef” was her nickname for cactuses. Apparently, she was an avid collector of them. Whatever. I didn’t care so long as she did a good job.

“Hayati?” I wanted confirmation from her.

Sloan had barely nodded when Jasper called, “See you later!” as he herded me out into the hall.

“Hayati?” Nate asked. “What does that mean?”

“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to,” Knox muttered, and I tried not to laugh.

I patted my pockets. “Wait. I don’t have my phone.” I tried to turn back for the room.

“You’ll live.” Graham marched down the hall. Then it sounded like he muttered, “Let’s get this over with.”

“Come on, big guy.” Jasper draped his arm over my shoulder.

“What about Sloan and keeping her safe?” I asked, knowing nothing was more important to them.

“Like we said, Shea’s got it covered,” Nate said to the Hudson Security employee posted in the hallway. “Right, Shea?”

“Right, sir.” She gave me a nod of understanding.

Another guy from Hudson—Nicholas—pushed off the wall, shadowing us as we proceeded to the elevator. With no more excuses, I followed Sloan’s brothers to the VIP exit, where a black Escalade was waiting.

I started to open the door for Nate as I had always done when I’d worked for him, and he chuckled. “I’m sure this will take some getting used to.” Nicholas, aka Ghost, opened the door for us instead, and Nate gestured for me to climb in. I did after a moment’s hesitation.

This was all so strange.

It was one thing to be with Sloan while we were sailing or even when we went ashore. I was learning that being in a relationship with her was an entirely different thing when it came to her family. To real life.

I didn’t know whether to talk to Ghost or her brothers. I wasn’t sure where I fit in. It was as if I was straddling two worlds—my old one and the new. The bodyguard and now the billionaire’s boyfriend.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

When we made it to Knox’s, I was already somewhat familiar with the place from the times I’d visited with Nate. I knew the staff, and it was nice to see them again, even if it was still strange to be here as a guest.

“Is Jude coming?” Nate asked, referring to Knox’s son.

Knox shook his head. “Figured he didn’t need to be part of this.”

Part of what? I wanted to ask but didn’t. I had a feeling I knew.

Knox’s chef prepared some appetizers, while Knox poured us each a drink. “Jackson, do you know how to play poker?”

“Of course.”

“Good.” He clapped a hand on my shoulder, and the five of us sat at the table. It felt as if each of them was sizing me up, and I knew from working for Nate that they played together regularly.

“What’s the buy-in?” I asked Knox.

“It doesn’t work like that. We don’t bet money.”

That was a relief because when it came to money, these guys were way out of my league. Surprisingly, though, I didn’t feel intimidated.

“At the beginning of each round,” Jasper said. “We take turns naming the prize.”

I nodded slowly, wondering exactly what that looked like. But I didn’t have to wait long to find out. “I’ll go first,” Jasper said. “A weekend at Nate’s cabin in Bear Creek.”

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