Page 42 of Two Steps Ahead

“Of all the interested parties surrounding this merger, Lyle is the most alarming. He’s never been arrested, but there are rumors he’s used force to seal some lucrative deals for his company in the past. Whispers that he’s not above shaking someone down to get a signature, or stop one.”

Weston gritted his teeth. This wasn’t good. “How does this merger affect him directly?”

“Brighton Pharmaceuticals is a direct competitor,” Dean said. “If Leo buys the company and raises it to the top of the industry like he has every other company he’s taken over, Lyle could lose everything.”

The more Weston learned, the more the need to keep Kayleigh close and safe beat at him. Even knowing she was down the hall was almost too far for him. He couldn’t see her. Couldn’t feel her presence. And it made him anxious.

Dean’s phone rang and he stepped away to answer it with a polite nod. Weston glanced at Jasper’s men by the doors and caught his brother’s eye, tipping his head to bring Chance closer. They had a window of time without anyone else around and he intended to use it.

“Knowing who could be behind the attacks is one thing, but right now we need to figure out how to keep Kayleigh and Leo safe,” he said in barely above a whisper. “Leo’s security team can’t be trusted.”

Chance looked over at the other men. “Agreed. You said you have an idea of where to take Kayleigh?”

Weston sighed, dragging a hand over his face. He was exhausted, but there would be no rest anytime soon. Not until Kayleigh was somewhere no one would find them. “I do, but getting her to leave is going to be a problem.”

“What are you going to tell her?”

“The truth.” No way was he about to start lying to her now. “She knows Leo’s already compromised. Someone on the inside is working against him.”

“So we use one of our teams?”

The guards across the room shifted. Weston knew they couldn’t hear, but he turned so his back was to them, to make sure neither of them was attempting to figure out their conversation by reading lips.

“I don’t even trust this to one of our teams. I want family-only on this.” Kayleigh was too important.

“Pulling out the big guns, aren’t you, brother?”

“She’s worth it.”

Chance didn’t even tease him, just offered a nod. “All right then. Family only. Luke, Brax and I can take turns here, but we’ll need a few other guys to help out or we’ll be spread too thin if something happens.”

“Agreed. Pick the ones we trust implicitly and make sure everyone keeps the mission to themselves. We need to keep this quiet.”

Chance opened his mouth but before he could say anything, the door opened behind them. Weston spun around to find Jasper striding through the door with two more of his men.

As soon as Jasper saw Weston, his face pinched and he scowled. “What are you doing here?”

Weston kept calm and focused. “Watching over Kayleigh and Leo. Where have you been, Jasper?”

“Trying to figure out what happened at the house.”

“And you thought that was more important than staying with Leo yourself? You left your client alone in a hospital bed. What kind of security does that?”

Jasper’s hands clenched at his sides and he took a step toward Weston. “How dare you insinuate that I don’t care about my job. I was out there trying to figure out who is after Leo. What have you been doing? Rolling around in the mud with Kayleigh?”

Weston curbed the urge to react to the other man’s blatant disrespect of Kayleigh. “If that’s how you speak about your boss’s daughter, then you aren’t the right person to protect either of them. I think it’s time for you to take some time off. Your services are no longer required. Once Leo is awake, you can take it up with him.”

“I don’t work for you, Patterson,” Jasper snarled. “I’m the head of Delacruz security. That includes your precious Kayleigh. So, if anything, you work for me.”

Weston stepped forward, only to have Chance pull him back. His brother didn’t have to say anything; this wasn’t the time or place to get into a physical altercation.

Dean, finally finished with his phone call, joined them, and Weston could see the stone-cold lawyer in him. “Technically, Jasper, Leo has it set up so you work formeuntil he wakes up.I’m finding I agree with Weston. We’re in the middle of a crisis and your priorities are obviously more focused on proving you’re the best person for the job instead of actually protecting Leo. We don’t have room in this mess for your fragile ego. Until things have settled, you and your men are on leave.”

Jasper’s face reddened, from his neck to the tips of his ears, and Weston steeled himself.

“You’re going to regret this.” Jasper spun on his heel, jerking his head for the others to follow him.

That was one problem settled, but not the biggest one by a long shot.

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