Pretending She's Mine

I pushed open the door. My chest pounded from the deep breath I was holding in. Dante Peacock hopped up from his seat, balancing three different cell phones in his hands.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he screeched.

But I didn’t answer. My eyes were on her. Journey was still. Her pale blue eyes were closed and for a second my heart felt shredded. It was hard to breathe. She shouldn’t be in that bed. I wanted to scoop her up and run out of here with her in my arms. There were lines and tubes running into her arms. A thin hose for oxygen was taped to her nose. Fuck. No.

“How did you get in here, Asher?” Peacock was agitated. It didn’t take much to rile him up. “No one called you.”

My gaze broke away from Journey and landed on him. I’d never seen him look this bad. The man was always put together. He had dark circles under his eyes. I looked down at his hands. His nails were bitten and raw.

“How did this happen?” I felt the heat rise in my neck.

He shook his head. “No. No. No, Asher. I’m not letting you barge in here like this. You really think she wants you here? I didn’t call you.”

My eyes narrowed. “I asked you a question. Answer me.”

Dante nodded and pointed toward the door. He wanted me to follow him to the hallway. I sighed as he led the way. He closed the door behind us. We stepped away from my agents and moved into a family counseling room with glass windows.

“I don’t know what Journey can hear,” he explained. “We shouldn’t argue in front of her.”

I eyed my agents from the where I was standing. They had an eye on the activity in the hall as well as Dante and me.

“I don’t see a need to argue,” I replied.

His shoulders relaxed. “Good. I thought you were going to start acting all commando again.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “I don’t know about commando, but I want a full debrief. Every eye witness account. Every photograph from the scene. I need a full rundown of her schedule for the past two weeks and any cross-referenced encounters. I’m going to need the security camera footage and a list of all members of that gym.”

Dante rolled his eyes. “See? Commando. You haven’t been on Journey’s security detail in two years. Not since you became Mr. Billionaire. Don’t think you can prance in here with your hot agents and take over. You aren’t in charge of Journey. I am.”

I huffed. “Look what happens when you’re in charge. She gets shot.” I wanted to wrap my hands around his neck. “Get me what I asked for.”

“You’re not my boss. Journey is. You can’t order me around. Or anyone for that matter, Asher. You haven’t been a part of this family for a long time. We all know it. Most importantly, Journey knows it.”

I wasn’t going to engage in my personal history with Dante. I was here to do something much more important. “Trust me. I have no interest in hiring you, Dante. But until the suspect is in custody, Journey isn’t safe. I’m taking over as of now. I can protect her. You clearly aren’t cut out for it.” I glared at him. Beads of sweat covered his brow. He would argue, but he always folded in the end. It was only a matter of time before I wore him down.

He sputtered. “This is not my fault. I’m as shaken as anyone. I’m not a bodyguard. I’m her manager. Don’t put this on me. She makes her own security calls.”

“And who lets her do that? Where is the guard for her door? Where was her bodyguard this morning?”

He blinked. “She went to the gym. She never takes security to the gym. It’s her personal time. She is very clear about that.”

I groaned. “See? You don’t understand how important her security is 24-7. It’s not part-time. It’s never part-time. In fact, her security should have doubled after her nomination. Did it?”

Dante looked confused. “I-I don’t deal with that part of her management. You know that.”

“Get me the information I need. The agents with me should have full access to all the reports. They will be working this with me. Also, set up a meeting with her doctor within the hour. I want to speak to her doctor immediately. Journey needs to be moved tonight.”

“Tonight? She just got out of surgery. Dr. Mills wants her to rest.”

I fought the urge to let my heart rip open again. Journey should never have had surgery. She shouldn’t be here. There was an attack on her life and Dante had no idea how to handle it. She needed me now more than ever. I had to stay focused and get her out of here.

“She can rest in a safer place than this hospital. I’ll take care of her from here on out.” I walked out of the family conference room, and stopped in front of Journey’s door. I wanted to make it clear he wasn’t stepping foot back inside until I had what I wanted. My agents flanked the entrance behind me.

Dante twisted his lips together. “You’re honestly going back in there?”

“Yes.”

He rolled his eyes. “She’s going to kill me for doing this.”