Page 99 of Overstaying His Welcome

Granted, they’d been in this setup for a while now. Kendall had just lied to me when we first connected since he didn’t want me to worry.

Smart kid.

After getting to know all five — yes, five! — guys, Kendall took us to his room to show his computer setup. He was very proud of everything he had, and it was nice to see him in his element in person.

I’d definitely underestimated him before.

I wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

Chance picked up on my nervous energy at one point and offered to leave. “I’ll go see what the guys are playing downstairs. It’s been ages since I’ve gotten to game. Surely they’ll be willing to teach me a thing or two.”

“Oh, definitely! Brax will be the most helpful since it’s literally his job. Tell him I said to be nice,” Kendall told him as he twirled in his desk chair.

I watched Chance leave, then I shut the door behind him. At the sound, my brother froze.

“Am I in trouble? Is this because I sent that Frost guy away? He was fine. It just sucked to be followed. My friends are around to keep me safe.”

“Not at all,” I answered honestly. Frost and I would have to have a talk about protocol later, but that wasn’t my focus now. “It’s actually just that I want your full attention, and I didn’t want anyone to walk in. Can we talk for a few minutes?”

He nodded slowly as he sat up straighter in his chair. I moved to the edge of his bed and motioned to it. When he gave me the ok, I dropped onto the stiff mattress. I mentally added it to the list of things I needed to take care of for him. He was getting a new one whether he wanted it or not.

How did a person sleep on something so hard? Ugh.

Granted, I’d had my fair share of uncomfortable nights. Kendall deserved better though. And I would provide it for him too. That’s what family did.

I’d do the same for one of the guys if they were struggling.

“What did you want to talk about?” he asked in a soft tone.

Running my hands up and down my thighs, I took a deep breath to give myself the courage I needed. It wasn’t that I was scared he’d turn me down. It was what came after that bothered me.

“I’d like you to help me with NightShade. Well, to help Memphis and Arick that is. What you did with hunting down Lune and Pratt was amazing. I need that level of skill on my team.”

He blinked wide eyes at me.

“You want me to work WITH you? I thought you said it was too dangerous.”

“It is,” I replied. “But you’re too good. I can’t know there’s someone out there better than my guys and not try to bring you on. Your safety is still important to me. Now that the Gilded Ones are handled, it’s less of a problem. I couldn’t risk it before.”

Kendall shot up from the chair. His hands went to his hips as he said, ‘You didn’t want me working with you even prior to those idiots showing up. Why now? You always knew I was smart!”

I raised my hands to show I didn’t want to argue with him. “Before, it was all too new. I felt like I’d only just found you. Bringing you into dangerous situations felt like too much. Afterall these years though, I know you can handle it. You’re my brother, after all. I think we’re built for this life.”

He snorted a laugh and shook his head. As he paced in front of me, he mumbled to himself. It was low enough I couldn’t make out any of the words, though I suspected I already knew what he’d be saying.

This decision would change a lot of things for him, including our relationship. What he didn’t know was that I treated all the guys like family anyway. He wouldn’t be subjected to anything less, especially given the fact we were blood related.

Add to it how much he reminded me of our mother, and I was bound to spoil him far more than anyone else.

“Look,” I said, drawing his attention back to me, “you don’t have to say yes right now. That’s not what I’m asking for. I simply want to make sure you know there is an offer on the table.”

He paused his steps. “Would I have to move up there?”

“Not at all. I’ve been thinking of expanding my business to have a few locations all over. I have some friends in Vegas who could help me. And with you here, I know Bellport would be in good hands.”

“Do you really mean that?”

“Absolutely! I trust you to take care of things. You could set it up with the tech stuff, and I can get someone else to manage. Or you could manage if that’s what you want to do.”

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