Page 26 of Charge

The memory made me long for the past. For a life that had seemed so black-and-white. Where I had no doubts about my path. Because I’d been sure it would always lead me back to Thea.

Stepping forward, I cleared my throat. “You got a minute?”

Thea nodded and moved in my direction. I walked out to the hallway, stopping when we were out of earshot. My men would tell the staff what was going on, but it was on me to tell Thea and William.

“There’s been an issue, and we’re all on lockdown for twenty-four hours.”

No point in easing her into it. She knew something was up, and I’d always been one to rip off the Band-Aid instead of dragging it out unnecessarily.

She stilled, studying my face. “What does that mean? Are we in danger?”

“It’s a precaution. But it means you should stay on the grounds until we get the all clear.”

“Does this have anything to do with what happened on the boat?”

I tensed at the mention of her almost-kidnapping. “This is something Locked Security is dealing with and has nothing do to with your husband’s problems.”

Her face blanched. “Areyouin danger?”

She looked almost sick at the thought of me being in danger.

“Gunner is the best at what he does. And he only hires the best. This is only a temporary hiccup.”

With her hands on her hips, she studied me. “That doesn’t really answer my question.”

“My job isn’t exactly safe, so I don’t think I can ever say thatIam.”

Her face visibly shut down, and she turned away from me. “I’ll call William to let him know.”

It would be a long twenty-four hours if she was already mad at me.

“He needs to get back here so we can lock the house down.”

She wiggled her fingers at me to indicate she’d heard me she. Her voice was low, the call short.

Her shoulders moved with the inhale she took before she turned to face me again. “He’ll be back in about an hour.”

I opened my mouth to protest but she held up her hand, cutting me off. “Don’t yell at me for something I have no control over.”

Giving her a curt nod, I straightened the lapels of my suit jacket. “I’ll make sure everything’s ready.”

I left, knowing that she was right. I was a bastard for even thinking of taking my annoyance with her husband out on her.

Desperate for a distraction, I threw myself back into work. I made sure everyone knew what was happening and checked all the cameras and equipment to lock everything down was in place.

And when the front gates opened to let the black Maybach through I felt a lot more in control. I’d already been at the front of the house, slightly adjusting a camera when William returned and was the first to greet him when he stepped out of the car.

His expensive sunglasses gleamed in the bright light, his attention snapping to me. “Archer. What’s going on? Is this really necessary? I had to cancel a lot of meetings.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Barlowe. But we feel like this is the safest thing to do at the moment.”

He gave me a curt nod, loosening his tie. “I want a debrief in my study in ten minutes.”

Nodding, I watched him disappear inside.

Gathering my tools I returned everything to the maintenance shed.

William’s office door was open when I approached after washing my hands, his voice carrying into the hallway. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am that you had to pay for my poor judgement. I should have never put you in this position.”

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