Page 10 of No Harm No Howl

“What about her?” Russ shrugged, wondering where Stephen was going with this.

“You know she’s into you.”

“So what? It’s not like I’ve ever shown a hint of interest in her. At all. Nor would I ever. Why even bring her up?” he asked.

“Because I think she’s going to be an issue. She’s been trying to get close to you for years, and you know it. I think bringing your mate in might send her over the edge, brother.”

He thought about what Stephen was saying but didn’t see it. Sure, Julie was great and all, but it’s not like he’d ever dated or been with her. And he most certainly had never flirted with her.

“I think you’re exaggerating.”

“Time will tell. But know that I warned you. Then there’s the other problem, too,” Stephen said.

“What other problem?” Russ had no idea what the hell his brother was talking about.

“Our enemies. They are far and wide. You better set up a protection detail as soon as possible. As soon as the news goes public that you’ve found your mate, she’ll have a target on her back and know nothing about it. You remember what happened with Selena?”

“Fuck. I didn’t even think about it like that, but you’re right. I’ll get it set up now. How long do you think I have before people start finding out?” he asked.

“Probably not long. If she starts working here, you’ll have even less time before the wrong people find out. Then all hell is likely to break loose.”

As much as Russ wanted to close his ears and not listen to a thing his brother said, he knew the words coming from his mouth were nothing but the truth. Stephen and Selena had gone through hell because of those who wanted nothing more than to see the Waters brothers fail.

They had made plenty of enemies over the years and even more within their business. When you run a large security firm that works to bring down bad guys, how could you not have enemies hiding behind every corner?

Russ flipped on his computer and pulled up the schedule for several of his teams. He entered Gia’s information and a photo of her he pulled from the security cameras in the building to create her profile. Adding her home address, he set up a security detail rotation and texted his people to inform them of their new assignment.

“I’ve put Frank and Carlos on her for the time being, starting immediately.” He closed his programs and nodded to his brother.

“Good. You don’t want to have to deal with the shit Selena and I did. Should we do brunch?” he asked, checking his watch.

“Sounds like a plan. I could use some pancakes.”

He stood and grabbed his phone just as it dinged with a new message. He swiped up and read the text.

It’s better this way. She wouldn’t have shown up otherwise. I love her, but she is a very stubborn woman. How pissed is she?

Nuclear.

Awesome.

“Gerri replied. She said it’s better this way. Otherwise, Gia would have never shown up. She’s stubborn.” Russ laughed.

“She sounds like she’ll fit right in around here,” Stephen smirked.

SEVEN

GIA

“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! What the hell am I going to do?” Gia growled. Yes, she had expected the interview, but her mate? What the actual hell? She wanted to throttle Gerri. A knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. She yanked the door open.

“Are you kidding me? This is probably the last place you want to be. And more than likely the least safe place for you to be right now.”

Gerri smiled at her and held up a bottle of tequila.

“You are so fucking lucky that I love your ass because I really want to kill you.” The more she thought about it, the more pissed Gia became.

“Easy, girl. I have my reasons. I always have my reasons. You know that,” Gerri said, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a couple sodas from the fridge and two glasses from the cabinet.

---