Page 74 of Barrett

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BARRETT

Noah wouldn’t go anywhere without me. I wasn’t sure what to do. Today was my day off. Tomorrow, I was expected in to give an update on where the case stood. When the fuck was the last time I took a day off that wasn’t one of my normal ones? I couldn’t remember.

Jordan ran his hand over his silver beard while he stared at me. The wheels in his mind were spinning. He had safe houses, at least one. No one outside of those close to him knew where they were. The people I worked with tried to look for them and always came up empty.

Alton had been in and did a quick examination of Noah. He had some bruising and needed a shower, but he wasn’t physically hurt. Alton gave him medication to help him relax, but Noah refused to take it until we were at our destination.We, because he wouldn’t go without me.

I guessed after what he’d heard about me; he considered me safe. Maybe it was because my brother had been taken too. I wasn’t sure.

“I’ll kill you,” Jordan said to me without preamble.

“Today?”

“If you tell anyone where my safe house is. I can’t move it. I won’t relocate.”

“When have I ever told anyone what you tell me? Never. If I had, you would have been behind bars with no chance of getting out. Besides, I couldn’t and wouldn’t do that to Reghan.”

Jordan still stared, still stroked his beard. “You’re going to have to call out at least a day or two. Leave your work phone at home. I won’t risk them tracking you. Albert!”

It was mere seconds before Albert stuck his head in. “Sir?”

“Sweep Barrett’s car to make sure he’s not being tracked.”

“Of course, sir.”

“I do it all the time,” I told him. “I don’t want them knowing where I am.”

“Yes, but I was seen in your building,” Jordan stated.

“Which I handled by saying I hadn’t seen you and no one reported back that my brother was seen leaving with your men. My guess is one of the tenants saw and locked themselves inside out of fear of you.”

“You can’t continue to live a double life. I warned you.”

I sighed. “I know. Just let me get this case handled then we can talk.” Would Jordan offer me a full-time job working for him? No clue. I’d accepted I had to quit being a detective though. I couldn’t hide my relationship with Reghan forever, nor did I want to. If I had to make the choice, I’d choose him as long as the money was there for me to leave my job. That was key. Marshall had to be taken care of, no matter what he said.

Jordan nodded. “Fine. If you break my trust, I won’t hesitate.”

Reghan turned away from us, his hands fisted by his sides.

“Noted,” I told Jordan.

“Raiden, call Sheldon and tell him to pack clothes and the essentials for Reghan, then pick you up here so you can go to Barrett’s home and pack a bag for him.”

“Hey, I can do that myself,” I said. “I don’t need Raiden doing it for me.”

Jordan cocked an eyebrow. “You’re going to take Noah with you?”

“Fuck. Fine.”

“As I thought. You’re going to ride with Reghan and Noah to the safe house, and you’ll stay there until I say otherwise.”

I clenched my jaw, grinding my teeth together. Holy fuck was it hard to take orders from him. Every part of me rebelled. If I were going to eventually leave my job and work for him, we’d have to come to an understanding. I wouldn’t, “yes, sir,” him or any of that other shit.

Jordan kept talking. “Vinny, call Sylvan and tell him he’s getting company. Ask him to make sure three rooms are ready.”

“Two,” Reghan cut in.

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