Page 3 of Redemption

Ever since he’d become a household name, he’d had to deal with all sorts of crazed fans who crossed the line. One of his daughter’s former nannies had tried to seduce him then sell his underwear on the internet. He needed a bodyguard; I didn’t.

Or at least, I hadn’t in the past.

My shoulders slumped. “What would you have me do?”

“Come to LA. You can live with Kendall and me, or at the Huxley Grand close to Graham.” Knox gave my hands a squeeze, silently pleading with me to agree.

“For how long?” I asked.

“Until the threat is neutralized,” Graham said in a menacing tone. I wondered what Graham would do to “neutralize” them if given the chance. I shuddered and Knox released me.

I considered it a moment. Part of me was scared. Part of me knew he was right—they all were, to some extent. But if I conceded now, they’d only push for even more security precautions.

I loved Nate, but I didn’t envy him the life he lived. I didn’t want to always have to tell someone where I was going. I didn’t want someone to have the power to tell me no because of security concerns. I didn’t want to lose my freedom.

Jasper sighed. Graham clenched his teeth. “I’d hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but…the board agrees. You need a bodyguard.”

My eyes widened, and I felt his words like a physical blow. “You went to the board?” I seethed, stepping forward. “This is a private matter.”

“You are a public figure,” Graham bit out.

“You need protection,” Knox said. Way to plunge the knife even deeper. “This has gone on long enough.”

I felt as if I was sixteen again and trying to go on a date, only to have my brothers scare off all the guys. I loved them, but sometimes they went too far.

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared Graham down. Just because he was older than me and ranked higher in the company didn’t mean he could bully me into doing what he wanted. I knew it was coming from a place of love. I knew he had my back—he always had. But I despised his heavy-handed tactics.

“Sloan,” Graham said, annoyance bleeding through his tone. “You’re second in charge. You’re too valuable to risk such vulnerability.”

“Too valuable to whom?” I asked, hurling the words with anger. “The company?”

Graham glowered. But Jasper responded first. “Sloan,” he chided. “That’s not what he meant.”

I knew that, but jeez, would it kill Graham to express some emotion every so often? He was always so reserved. So in control.

Edward wasn’t much better. At first, I’d brushed off his lack of affection as a British thing. Or blamed it on his personality. But maybe it was just me.

Or maybe I was expecting too much. Something more. Something he wasn’t capable of giving.

I sighed. It was useless—wanting something you couldn’t have. Expecting someone to change.

“Sloan.” Jasper placed his hands on my shoulders. “Please. The thought of anything happening to you…” He stared at the ceiling, and it looked as if he might cry.

My stomach sank. I hated the idea of hurting my brothers, especially Jasper. Jasper and I had always been close. Maybe it was just who we were. Maybe it was because we’d been the youngest when our parents had died in a plane crash with my aunt and uncle, and our memories of them weren’t as strong.

Our grandparents had raised Knox, Graham, Nate, Jasper, and me. It had made us all close.

I gnawed on my lip. I didn’t want a security detail, but I knew I needed to do something. The threats were becoming more frequent, and they’d escalated in tone. I couldn’t stay in London right now. I was too rattled, even if I refused to admit it to them.

I contemplated my options then said, “I have a better idea. I could take my annual sailing trip a little earlier and for an extended amount of time.” When several of my brothers opened their mouths as if to object, I held up a hand to silence them. “You wanted me to get away from London, and I am. My absence will give you and the team from Hudson time to find and neutralize the threat.”

Slowly, their expressions changed. And I could see my proposition was winning them over. Hell, I was excited about it, and I could feel my shoulders relaxing at the idea, some of my tension melting as I imagined myself back on the ocean. Back on the Athena.

Blissfully alone.

Away from all the drama and the threats.

I’d had to skip my sailing trip last year because of a broken arm. Time on my sailboat—alone on the open water—was long overdue.