“I don’t have a clue. It could be anyone.” She shook her head again.
“Keep trying to think. The next thing we need to talk about is your safety.” Darrall changed the subject.
“Once we get the security system installed here, I should be safe enough at home, right?” Nicole said, gazing at each man.
“I’m not so sure about that.” Paul squeezed her hand. “I don’t like the idea of you being here alone. The Tampa police have a couple of safe houses we can use, or Trident has offered to let us use one of the bunk rooms in their complex on a limited basis. They weren’t set up to be used as accommodations for long term, but if we need something for a night or two, they will work.”
“I’d rather stay in my home if possible. I don’t think Huang will try anything more.” Nicole protested.
“And if it’s not Huang? What if it’s some unknown? We have no idea what they or Huang are capable of. I don’t think it’s safe for you to be here alone.” Paul had moved so that he was facing her.
“I’ll get a gun. I know self-defense. With that and the alarm, I should be safe.”
“Even with the alarm sending a signal to the emergency response unit for the police it could still take up to twenty minutes for someone to get here. How long could you hold off one or more men by yourself, and a gun is only as good as the person behind it. Have you ever owned a gun?” The intense look on Paul’s face almost made her forget the other men in the room.
“I can take lessons and learn gun safety and how to shoot,” Nicole answered defensively.
“All that takes time Nicole.” It was Darrall who spoke this time.
“I’m not sure how much time we have. So far, it’s just one note, but the fact that it was left on Brain’s truck while he was away, tells us that he and you are being watched. We don’t know when or where this person will strike next. Give us a week in a safe house, and if nothing more happens you can return home. While you are gone, we can install the security system and make sure it is running properly.” Darrall stood and took his chair back to the kitchen as if the matter was settled.
Nicole felt the tears of frustration start to burn the backs of her eyes. She refused to cry. “For one week. If nothing more happens, I can go home? No arguments?”
“Yes. One week. Then we’ll re-evaluate. If everything stays quiet, then we’ll discuss the next step.” Darrall moved over and stood in front of her.
“I know all this is hard. Give us time to do our job. That’s why you hired us. Let us protect you and get your son home.”
All Nicole could do was nod. She knew if she spoke her voice would break and she’d be done.
“Why don’t you gather the things you’ll want to take with you while we make arrangements to get you moved. It will take a while to get everything taken care of. Monty will stay here with you while Paul and I are getting everything put in place.” He turned to the other two men. “Phantom, Knight, take off. Trace and Deverne will take over for now.” The two men nodded, and with a smile at Nicole, they left, closing the door softly behind them.
Nicole turned to Paul who had a furious expression on his face. Oh no! Had she done something? Was he unhappy with her? Before she could ask, he and Darrall were leaving.
“Don’t worry,” Monty said. He could obviously read the expression of concern on her face. “Big Dog won’t rip him too big of a new one. No one’s mad at you.”
Nicole bit her bottom lip and nodded, then went off to start packing.
7
Paul knew he was about to get his ass handed to him. Darrall very seldom interfered in others’ lives, but he had a feeling this time was going to be different.
They had no more than set foot in the parking lot when Darrall stopped. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Paul didn’t even bother to act like the didn’t know what Darrall was talking about. “I don’t have a fucking clue.”
“Well, you’d better figure it out and soon. If this is just a fling, you’d better have a rethink. I will not have my men loving and leaving women all over the country. If you are serious about this woman that’s one thing, but if this is just a piece of ass, you need to hit it and move on.”
“Now look! I’ll manage my life any way I feel necessary. I don’t need you to tell me how to handle myself. Nothing will happen without her express consent. I’m not going to go to jail for rape or anything else.” Paul took a few steps towards his truck.
Darrall let out a long breath and followed Paul to his truck. “Okay. I get it. I’m not your dad, and I’m not hers either. I’ve seen things turn bad fast and I don’t want you or her hurt.”
Paul put a hand on Darrall’s shoulder. “I appreciate you looking out for both of us, but she’s not Janice. I’m not going to hurt her or l
et her hurt me. I got this.”
Darrall nodded and headed over to the vehicle he was driving. “I’ll arrange to get you a new rental and we’ll get all the logistics worked out to get her moved to the safe house. Stay here with her until you hear from me or Neptune.”
Janice had been Darrall’s ex-wife. Paul didn’t know all of the story, but he did know that she had hurt the big guy. Darrall had sworn off relationships for the rest of his life. He’d play with a sub at a club and relieve his needs there, but in the years, Paul had known him, he’d never been with a woman more than a night or two.