Page 12 of Steeled

“Got back last night,” Fuchs replied. “Thought I’d get caught up on a few things today. Anyway, I think Kyra could use the space.”

A bit of protectiveness flickered inside of Lawson’s chest at the sound of her name. It had been a couple months since she’d been his assignment—her abusive ex out for blood.Herblood. Lawson had spent the better part of a couple weeks in her company, watching her back when Fuchs couldn’t. They hadn’t done a lot of talking, seeing as that wasn’t the job, but Lawson didn’t need to speak to her to grow fond of her. Like Hanna, there was something in Kyra’s beautiful blue eyes that said it all. She was worth protecting. Now, it was only a matter of time before the bastard who was after her would be locked up for the foreseeable future.

“Everything go to plan in Boston?” he asked.

“She got what she needed. Fuckin’ finally. We’ll be back in a few weeks for his sentencing hearing.”

“Good.”

“The end of this year can’t come quick enough. I’m ready to put this shit to bed.”

Lawson wasn’t one to wish away time. Not after the death he’d seen. Especially not after the scare he and his family had inthe pre-dawn hours that morning. Nevertheless, he didn’t blame Fuchs for wanting to put the present behind him. Once Paul was out of the picture, he and Kyra could move on with their lives with a fresh start Lawson was certain they wouldn’t take for granted.

Against his will, Nora crept back into his mind. He thought about the look in her eyes at the hospital when he’d caught her looking his way. He thought about the history between them, and all the lost time and empty pages that were the last six years of their story.

Theirstory.

Did they still have a story?

Was it possible they could have a fresh start, too?

The look in her eyes at the hospital—no one ever looked at him the way she did. No one ever saw him the way she could.

Moretti and Fuchs continued speaking, but Lawson’s thoughts prevented him from hearing their exchange. It was Vollucci’s voice calling his name which brought him back to the room. As soon as he focused his attention on the company’s owner, the man tossed a set of keys at him. Lawson caught them with ease, then cast a confused expression his way.

“You’re in my vehicle.” Lawson frowned, and that’s all Vollucci needed before he jerked his chin beside him. When he saw Jill holding baby Eli, he put two and two together. Still, Vollucci explained, “You’ve got tagalongs today.”

“Understood.” And he did. The owner of Vollucci Security wasn’t the only one with connections. He and Ashley Hicks went back a decade, but Corie Hicks and Jill Vollucci had them beat. They were family and had known each other all their lives. It made sense that she and Eli had planned to join the ranks that day. If anything, Lawson was surprised it had taken all week.

“Eli puts you in the company of seven children today,” Vollucci noted as he studied Lawson. “I know you didn’t sign upto be a babysitter, but outside of Fuchs and Moretti, there’s no one I trust more to keep an eye on these families. Might seem ridiculous, but—”

“You don’t need to explain,” said Lawson as he rose to his feet. “I don’t mind kids. It’s not their fault their parents are famous. I understand the job.” Looking to Jill, he offered her a small smile and suggested, “we should probably get going.”

Lawson had made the drive up and down I-24 between Nashville and Shelbyville more times than he could count over the last year and a half. After he got out of the Marines, he found a job in the city working event security. He knew he could be more with his background and family connections with the law; but after eight years in the military and three tours in Afghanistan, simple seemed good. Though, six months in the city was about all the man could stand. It took another several months before the right opportunity presented itself, but it had been worth the wait.

There was something about the pace of life in Shelby he hadn’t found anywhere else. Not to mention, his family had all managed to stick around—both Atticus and Justice planting roots of their own which kept them close to home in ways they’d never regret. With Lawson returning to civilian life, and his job in driving distance of Shelby, he’d found himself headed down the road every weekend for church at St. Williams and Sunday dinner at Keaton and Gale’s table. It was a Steele family tradition which came with an obligation no one ever resented. They’d always been a tight knit family. They wouldn’t have it any other way.

It wasn’t long before Sundays at home weren’t enough, and Lawson found himself looking for work further south. He’d considered it a sign when he’d stumbled across an ad for Vollucci Security, located only twenty minutes south of his hometown. When he’d interviewed for the job that past summer, he feltfortunate to have found an opportunity even more interesting than he’d anticipated. He was offered the job on the spot, and Lawson had left Nashville for home the first chance he got.

He was where he was meant to be, which is why he didn’t mind the temporary commute for his current assignment. That morning, he found he also didn’t mind the company, Jill’s conversation keeping him alert after the pathetic amount of rest he’d had the night before.

They arrived at the studio around nine. As he’d done over the course of the last few days, Lawson sat with Kyle—Millicent’s personal guard—and Frank—who kept an eye on Corie—the men taking turns checking the perimeter every thirty minutes. This lasted until lunch, when the men left Hicks and McCoy behind and escorted the women and children to their restaurant of choice. Rather than snagging a table of their own, Corie insisted Kyle, Frank, and Lawson join them.

With seven kids all under the age of four, their group was bound to draw attention all on their own. Given the notoriety of their husbands and their current location—in the heart of downtown Nashville—it made security a harder task than it looked. The men sat, all the while staying vigilant, keeping an eye out for cameras or phones pointed in their direction.

Lawson was aware of the women’s conversation without knowing what they were saying, his focus darting around the room. His surveillance was diverted when Dean, McCoy’s two-year-old, started vying for his attention in the seat beside him. The toddler was too damn cute, which is how Lawson found himself playing with Hot Wheels cars before their meals arrived.

“He’s not bothering you, is he?” asked Millicent apologetically after catching his eye.

She held her youngest son in her lap, his little hands reaching for anything he could shove inside his mouth to ease his aching gums.

“No. He’s fine.”

“Okay,” she smiled. “Let me know if you need a break.”

An hour later, as their group was exiting the restaurant, Dean waved at Lawson from over Kyle’s shoulder, who carried the toddler to their waiting SUV. Lawson waved back, thinking of Vollucci’s earlier comment about how he hadn’t signed up for babysitting duty. When Lawson said he didn’t mind kids, he’d meant it. As far as he was concerned, kids meant family, and he was raised to believe family was everything.

Once they’d returned to the studio, it wasn’t long before Hicks and McCoy called it a wrap. The families went their separate ways—the McCoys to the airport, headed back home to Colorado; the Hicks to their vehicle, headed south to their private residence outside of Sherwood. Lawson was relieved for the short day. So much so, he wasn’t even bothered by the early Friday afternoon rush-hour traffic. He’d be home soon enough. He had every intention of checking in on his brother before indulging in a long nap.

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