“I can’t plan rosters if I don’t know what’s going on, Stan. We have more than one location to guard then.”
“I didn’t tell you because I am not taking security. I need a couple of days alone with my girl,” Joshua replies.
I smile to myself. I need a couple of days alone with you too, baby.
They turn the corner and stop dead in their tracks when they see us.
“Hey,” everyone calls.
Joshua glares at us. “Interrupting something, am I?”
I giggle. What must we look like in a pile on the floor?
“Get your head off her stomach,” Joshua snaps.
Cameron rolls his eyes and sits up. “Glad you’re home Happy Jack.”
I smirk. Joshua really is a donkey on the edge at the moment.
“You are not going anywhere without security,” Ben asserts as his eyes find Bridget across the room and he glares at her.
“Watch me!” Joshua sneers as he angrily undoes his tie. “Are you packed?” he snaps at me as he reefs his tie so hard I am surprised he doesn’t break his neck.
My eyes flick to the girls who are smirking.
“Yes, “ I reply meekly.
“Good, we leave in ten.” He then storms through the room and disappears up the staircase.
Cameron smirks. “It sucks to be you, Tash.”
Hmm, it sure does. I nod and slowly pick myself up off the floor and Ben stands exasperated with his hands on his hips.
“Just have someone follow us discreetly down there, Ben. He needs some privacy at the moment,” I whisper quietly.
Ben frowns. “Why? What’s going on?” he asks.
Oh shit, he doesn’t know. “Joshua has some family stuff that is worrying him and he needs to get away. You stay here with the girls and send someone else.”
“I can’t do my job properly if I don’t know what’s going on, Natasha,” he replies.
“I know, I’m sorry,” I sigh. “I will talk to him, I promise. Can you just make security minimal for a couple of days please?”
A knock sounds at the door.
“It’s not safe, Tash,” Ben replies as he frowns at the door and looks at his watch. He opens the door and
two large muscled-up men stand before us. Ben raises his eyebrows in question. “Can I help you?” he asks.
“Yes, I’m Detective Ford and this is my partner Detective Taylor. We are here to see a Joshua Stanton and a Ben Stathem.”
Ben’s face drops. “That’s me. Please come in and I will get Mr Stanton.” He holds his arm out and the two detectives walk into the lounge room.
I fake a nervous smile and my panicked eyes meet the girls. The three stooges get up from the floor, walk over and the detectives introduce themselves to everyone. Abbie shakes the first guy’s hand and then when she gets to the second guy, Detective Taylor, they seemingly forget we are all here.
“Hello. I’m Abbie,” she breathes, appearing nervous. Bridget’s and my eyes meet—this is new. I’ve never seen Abbie get nervous before.
He smiles warmly, taking her hand in his, and he seems all flustered too. “The pleasure is all mine.” His eyes hold hers. “My name is Rick.”