Page 11 of Two Steps Ahead

Leo seemed pleased with the news. “The Ray Roberts property is completely off the radar, which is why I’m not bringing Jasper in on this. If you can keep it casual, Kayleigh is much more likely to feel comfortable around you. Not running from her own security detail is going to keep her much safer.”

“Agreed.”

“If you want to do some gardening work while you’re there, I’m happy to pay you a little extra. Kayleigh loves plants too. That’s why she became a nature photographer. She’ll probably relax more around them.”

“No need to pay me to work with the plants. I’m sure I won’t be able to stop myself from messing with them anyway.”

Leo conceded with a slight dip of his head. “The property has a separate gardener’s unit right next to the house—has running water and electricity. Does that suit you? I don’t want to put Kayleigh in a situation where she has to stay in a house with someone she doesn’t know.”

“That’s fine. I’ll set up security for the main house so I know if anyone is around other than the two of us.”

Leo gave him a smile. “Good. Bill me for whatever you need to purchase. Kayleigh is planning to arrive tomorrow afternoon.”

“Then I’ll head there tonight and make sure security is the way I want it to be.”

“Spare no expense. Whatever you need. Kayleigh’s safety is the most important thing.” Leo pulled out a file containing keys, maps and entry info, and handed it over.

Weston turned to leave but then stopped. “Leo, are you sure you don’t want to go with Jasper? He may not be her favorite person, but he seems diligent when it comes to security. Changing things up might be a mistake.”

Leo stared at him for a long minute before turning to look out the window. “Mistakes. I’ve made a lot of mistakes with Kayleigh. Made a lot of mistakes all the way around.”

“Like what?”

“When Kayleigh was—” The man shook his head, cutting himself off. “Things happened to Kayleigh not long after you knew her before. I won’t go into details, but I have smothered her too much over the years to make up for it. But not in the way I should have. I constantly threw more security at her when I should’ve been taking more time with her myself.”

“It’s not too late to make that change.”

“That’s what I’m hoping. That’s why these last two mergers I’m working on are so important. It will help right some of my wrongs over the years.”

“Can you tell me more about the mergers? Maybe we should be working this from both ends—protective detail but also figuring out how to stop potential danger before it starts.”

“Everything centers around Brighton Pharmaceuticals.”

Weston had heard of the company but didn’t know much more than that. “Big name.”

Leo rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m ruffling a lot of feathers on damned near everybody with this transaction. I have my team looking into the threats.”

San Antonio Security would be looking into it also. A fresh set of eyes never hurt. And Weston wanted to know everything he could going into this situation.

“I’m willing to take the job, but I want to make sure this is really what you want.”

“What I want doesn’t really matter. What matters is keeping Kayleigh safe. Fixing things.” Leo scrubbed a hand down his face, looking older than he had a few minutes ago. “Kayleigh struggles. She doesn’t like to have people in her personal space. I’m hoping that will be different with you. You were special to her.”

She’d been special to him too. “It was a long time ago.”

He looked back out the window. “She asked for you, you know, after Henry died. Didn’t understand why you couldn’t come back. I should’ve made more effort to find you. Especially after...”

He trailed off again then straightened in his chair. “Let’s just say that keeping Kayleigh safe is the most important thing in the world to me. The two of you in a location no one else knows about is the best way to make that happen.”

“I will keep her safe, I promise.”

Weston didn’t make promises lightly.

“That’s what I was hoping you’d say.” Leo stood up. “Now go get whatever you need to keep my girl safe. And don’t forget to work on the plants too. That’s what will help her feel most at ease.”

WESTONWASN’TSURE,exactly, what it said about his life that he could take off for an undetermined amount of time and it barely be noticeable.

If it wasn’t for his parents and brothers, he had no idea how introverted he would’ve become. From the day he’d met Clinton and Sheila Patterson, they had slowly and gently eased him out of his shell. His talkative brothers had done the same.

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