Page 20 of Viktor

“Is that really necessary?” Sue Anne asked, her voice a little shaky.

“Ma’am, I’d rather be prepared for anything than see something happen to you or your family.”

“You do what you need to, son,” Roy told him pointblank. “You’ll get no arguments from any of us.”

“Gabe and I need to walk the property after dinner to determine where the weak points are. I’ll call my youngest brother and have him fly down as soon as he can to start on the security setup.”

“Youngest?” Roy leaned back in his chair. “How much could the boy know if he’s the youngest?”

Viktor laughed. “Mason knows more about computers than anyone I know, including our brother Nikoli, who owns his own gaming company. The boy’s a hacker. I’ve had him working for me to keep him out of trouble. He set up the security system at the firm and Conner’s clubs. He’ll get it done, and get it done well.”

“How exactly will that work? Will strangers be monitoring our movements?”

Ah, there it was. He’d wondered why Roy had been so resistant to a security system. The older generation didn’t want anyone watching them.

“I’ll have it wired so if the system gets tripped, it’ll go right to local police. The screens will be monitored here at the house via computers and your mobile devices. I promise you there will be nothing invasive about it.”

Roy frowned, but didn’t say anything else. Sue Anne asked if anyone wanted dessert, but Viktor demurred. He really needed to walk the perimeter while it was light out.

“As soon as we get a good idea of what we’re working with, we’ll come inside and brief everyone.” Viktor stood, Gabe right behind him, and excused them both from the table.

This farm was large, and he needed a good idea of the layout if he was going to be effective.

And he needed a break from Sara. It had taken a lot to sit there and not watch her every move. The fresh air would do him good.

The next week passed with no major upsets. Gabe and Viktor worked out a security plan for the farm and set about implementing it. They even helped Sara’s dad repair some fences that had come down around the immediate acreage.

Sara did her best to stay away from Viktor. The man was too much of a temptation and flirted without even trying. She did stop and watch him when he played with Delia. He and Gabe both went out of their way to show Delia special attention. They were never too busy for her, something her daughter ate up. At one point, she had them wearing princess tiaras while they had tea with her. It was enough to send her mother running to the kitchen in a fit of giggles.

“Sara!”

She heard her mother calling and found her in the kitchen, putting vegetables in three crockpots. Usually, one would have been enough, but Gabe and Viktor could eat. Sara assumed the extra was for them.

“You need something, Mom?” She looked over her mother’s shoulder and saw the pot roasts that had to have been simmering since last night. Her favorite.

“Yes. I’m out of several things and was hoping you’d go to the store for me.” She flexed her left wrist. Arthritis had set up in it recently, as well as in her knees. “I’m not feeling so well today.”

“Sure, Mom. Just give me a list of what you need, and I’ll run into town.”

“On the counter.” Sue Anne nodded to the island, where a sheet of paper rested. “Those boys are eating us out of house and home.”

The words were said with no malice, but affection. While her mom might have been intimidated at first, the men were winning her over with their charm.

“I shouldn’t be too long. Can you watch Delia for me?”

“Of course.”

Sara grabbed the note off the counter before finding her purse in the front hall. She slipped on her shoes and dug out her keys. It was still early, so she hoped the grocery store wouldn’t be overly crowded.

“Going somewhere?”

The chill that raced along her spine was sinful. How could such a big man move so quietly? She turned to see Viktor standing a few feet behind her, dressed in jeans and a blue t-shirt that hugged his body like a second skin. The same tattoos that coated Gabe’s arms were mirrored on Viktor’s. It gave him an extra healthy dose of badass. Sex on two legs. That was what he was.

“To the grocery store for Mom. You and Gabe eat a lot.”

He laughed. “Da, we do. I’ll throw some money in for food.” He walked over to the shoe rack and dug out his own shoes.

“What are you doing?” Alarm bells started going off.

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