Page 63 of Two Steps Ahead

“What about Leo?” Jasper asked.

“We’ll keep him and Kayleigh safe. But stunts like this mean we’re pulling resources that are better left elsewhere. So don’t do something like this again.”

“Fine,” Jasper huffed.

“I’m taking Kayleigh to a safe house. I don’t want to bring any possible trouble to my parents. They’re not part of this,” Weston said. “Take your men and get out of here. If you want to help, stay out of our way.”

Jasper nodded, obviously mad, but at least smart enough not to argue. Weston was never going to be friends or even friendly colleagues with this man. They may be in the same business but they were way too different.

“Just keep her and Leo safe,” Jasper said. “That’s all I’m asking.”

Maybe not as different as Weston thought.

“We’ll have someone around the clock with Leo until he wakes up. And I’m definitely not going to let anything happen to Kayleigh.”

Chapter Nineteen

It was only after Weston and his brothers made it back inside the house that Kayleigh felt like she could finally breathe again. The bat she’d been holding slumped to the floor, all her fight disappearing as the adrenaline faded.

“You okay?” Weston asked, stepping so close she had to tilt her head up to see him. His eyes ran over her face like he could see inside her mind, but Kayleigh didn’t hate it. In fact, she kind of loved it.

She kind of lovedhim.

She shoved that thought away immediately, though she knew she’d take it out the next time she was alone.

“I’m fine,” she said. “You guys are all okay?”

“Yes.” He kissed her swiftly before stepping away. “Brax and Luke went home. Chance went back to the hospital. Ends up it wasn’t as dangerous as we thought.”

“Who was it out there?” Clinton asked, turning to place his gun back in the hidden safety drawer on the bottom of one of the bookshelves.

A genius place to hide a weapon, especially in a house where kids played. Kayleigh couldn’t even see the drawer now that he’d shut it again.

“Jasper, Leo’s head of security,” Weston said.

Kayleigh couldn’t stop her gasp. “He was after me? Going to hurt your parents?”

“I thought you said he was fired,” Sheila said, dropping the golf club she’d picked up into the little caddy near the front door.

Weston reached out and massaged the back of Kayleigh’s neck. “Technically, he was placed on leave, but either way he shouldn’t have been here. He was actually trying to help. Has men watching the hospital to make sure Leo is okay, and wanted to do the same when he found out Kayleigh was here.”

“Do you believe he was telling the truth?”

“Yes.” Weston stared down at her, letting Kayleigh see the conviction in his eyes. “We all did. If his intention was to infiltrate this house, he could’ve done it before we were even aware there was a problem.”

The thought made Kayleigh sick. “We have to get me out of here. I don’t want to put anyone else in danger.”

“I don’t think anyone else will come here, but we’ll put a couple of our men on the house just in case.” Weston turned to his dad. “Don’t go picking any fights with the friends.”

Clinton chuckled. “As long as they don’t start anything, I won’t finish it.”

Weston turned back to Kayleigh. “We’ve got to go. Until this merger is complete, you’re going into a proper safe house.”

Kayleigh nodded. She wasn’t about to argue.

“Be safe,” Sheila whispered as she hugged Kayleigh then turned to her son. “Take care of her.”

“I will, Mom,” he said, his eyes locked on Kayleigh’s.

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