Chapter 40

forty

ALEX

“Watch the concrete path,” Dylan warned. “It’s slippery.”

I was tempted to tell him it was my arm that was damaged, not my eyes. But I didn’t. Instead, I carefully walked along the snow-covered ground toward Jonathon’s house. This was the fourth day that Dylan, Jeremy, and Connor had looked after me. Finally, after a marathon discussion with my surgeon, the hospital’s physical therapist, and a wound nurse, I was allowed to leave the hospital. The catch was that I needed to go back in a week to check on my progress.

A week I could handle, especially if it meant being away from the constant hospital noise.

Dylan unlocked the front door. “Connor brought a few of your things from your home. We thought it would make you feel more comfortable.”

“I’ll thank him later. Where is he?”

“In town, picking up some supplies.”

I stepped into the living room. I’d been to Jonathon’s house a few times, but I was still surprised by what I saw. “I didn’t realize Jonathon was leaving his furniture here.”

“Most of it was stored in his garage. Jonathon knew we’d look after it, so he asked if we wanted to use it. I guess he bought new things for his apartment.” Dylan pointed to the sofa. “Sit there for a minute. You look tired.” When I didn’t move right away, Dylan’s eyebrows rose. “I’m only trying to help.”

“We’ll have to talk about that.” I sat on the sofa because I was tired. But I didn’t need Dylan looking after me. “You aren’t my nurse. I can look after myself.”

The front door banged open.

Jeremy stumbled inside with three suitcases. “Where do you want these?”

I glanced at Dylan. If I knew him half as well as I thought I did, he had already decided where everyone was sleeping.

“You’re asking me?” The mischievous gleam in his eyes worried me.

Good Lord. I’d never win an argument with him. “Go ahead. Tell me what you’ve decided.”

“The bedroom on the ground floor is the best one for you. It has its own bathroom and we can get you out of the house quickly.”

“Don’t worry,” Jeremy said with a grin. “He babies everyone when they aren’t well.”

“I do not,” Dylan said stubbornly. “We need to keep Alex safe and that’s what I’m doing.”

I liked the idea of Dylan caring about me, even if I was his client.

While Jeremy delivered my luggage to my room, Dylan pulled out his cell phone. He was probably consulting his list of things to do .

“I spoke to Jonathon yesterday,” Dylan said. “Did you know he used to be a nurse?”

I nodded. I didn’t know where this conversation was heading, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t like it.

“He has lots of experience with gunshot patients. He said he could help you with the exercises you were given in the hospital.”

“He’s busy with his store. I’ll be okay.”

“Jonathon wants to help you get better.”

I sighed. “Just like your bossiness is your way of telling me you care?”

“Exactly. In a couple of days, I’ll back off. But for now, you should listen to me.”

“I can tell you’re the eldest child.”

Dylan sat beside me. “My brothers don’t listen to me, so being the eldest makes no difference. If anything, they’re worse than I am.”

“Has Luke been telling you what’s wrong with your life again?”

A blush stained Dylan’s cheeks. “He needs to take his own advice and stop telling me what to do.”

“It might be his way of coping with what happened.”

Dylan sent me a withering look. “His ex-fiancé is a great person. Luke ended the relationship and now he wants to fix everyone else’s life. I love him, but he’s crazy.” He looked at his cell phone and sighed. “Telling you about my family issues won’t make you any safer. I have something for you, then I’ll show you the security system Bryant Security installed.”

“They’ve been here already?”

“You were in the hospital for four days. A lot can happen in that time. And talking about what’s happened…” Dy lan picked up his backpack and pulled out a silver chain. “This is for you.”

I held the necklace in my hand. Why on earth was Dylan giving me jewelry? “Is it a get well soon present?”

“It’s a GPS tracker. Don’t take it off.”

I handed it back to Dylan. “I’ll wear it as long as you clip it around my neck.”

His eyes narrowed. “You’re not going to kiss me again, are you?”

“Haven’t you noticed that I’ve been on my best behavior?”

Dylan looked at the necklace, then into my eyes. “I have noticed and thank you.” He undid the clasp and knelt on the sofa beside me. “You’ll need to lean closer. The technical development team made this for you. We’re hoping the terrorist group doesn’t realize what it is.”

“In case they kidnap me?”

Dylan’s fingers brushed against my skin. A spark of electricity zipped down my spine and pooled in places I didn’t want to think about. I was doomed.

“Something like that.” He rested his hands on my shoulders, surveying my new tracking device. “Not bad for a bunch of James Bond wannabes. We might have stumbled on a new line of personal protection merchandise.”

“That makes me feel special,” I murmured.

Dylan rolled his eyes. “It should make you feel safe.” He wiggled out of harm’s way and consulted his cell phone.

I’d prefer him to stay close, but fate was being unusually cruel to me. “I’ll make everyone coffee.”

“I’ll do that,” Jeremy said from the doorway. “Dylan can show you the alarm. If you thought the one at your house was top of the line, you should see this one. ”

“Why do I get the feeling you’re trying out new gadgets on me?”

Dylan slid his phone into his pocket. “Maybe because we are.” He grinned at my disbelieving stare. “I told you you’re special. Come on. Let me introduce you to Xion, the world’s first fully integrated artificial intelligence personal protection system.”

If Dylan was looking for something to take my mind off the hole in my arm, he’d found it. “There are other AI security systems on the market. What makes this one unique?”

Dylan sent me a knowing smile. “Not only does facial recognition software identify who should be on the property, but a full body scan assesses any changes to your health. Depending on what parameters you’ve entered, Xion will send the police, the fire department, or security staff to your home. And if that’s not enough to make you drool, it’ll change the lighting, heating, and entertainment options to suit your biometric readings.”

“What entertainment options have you added?”

Dylan grinned. “Don’t get your hopes up. The only options you’ll see are the sound system and television.”

“You’re no fun.”

“That’s what all my clients say. Are you ready for the computer to scan your body?”

It was my turn to grin. “Should I be naked?”

Dylan’s cheeks turned crimson. “You’ll short-circuit the system if you do that. Fully clothed is fine.”

I kissed Dylan’s hot cheek. “Maybe next time.”

“Or maybe not,” he whispered back.

I wasn’t a betting man, but I knew when the odds were stacked in my favor. Dylan was attracted to me and, at some point, we would definitely be naked.”