34. Austin

CHAPTER 34

AUSTIN

Our plan to spend the day at home and to call Carter went awry the next morning. We'd just finished an early morning run when Greer's lawyer called and needed to meet with him at the office. I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling I got during that run, that something wasn't quite right. It was a similar feeling to the one I had in the Navy when we were about to take out a target and shit hit the fan.

So, when we got back to the penthouse and showered, I knew I needed to go see Jesse. My gut feeling was something was off, but I also didn't want to leave Greer vulnerable. But my husband was perceptive.

"What's on your mind?" he asked, wrapping his strong arms around me. Dressed for the office, he looked incredible as always. But the concern in his eyes meant he saw the apprehension in mine.

"Nothing." I sighed and pushed my hand through my hair. "I got a strange feeling when we were running. Like someone was watching."

His eyebrows drew together in concern. "What do you mean?"

I shook my head. "It might be nothing, but I need to go see Jesse. I'll run it by him and get his take. But I also don't want to leave you unguarded."

"You think it has something to do with my lawsuit?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. But I'd rather be safe than sorry. I know you need to meet with the legal team, but I don't want to leave you alone at the office."

"How about I get them to come here? Would that make you feel better?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I'll go to the office once they're here."

Greer cupped my face. "Babe, this is not the first time I've had a player sue the team. I'm sure we'll work it out with the lawyers. Please don't worry."

I huffed. "That's easier said than done. Protecting a high-profile client is one thing, but protecting someone you love is completely different."

"I can protect myself, Austin. I'm physically fit and almost as strong as you."

"I know," I replied, "but I'd like to train you in self-defense. It would make me feel more secure."

Greer nodded. "Whatever you need, sweetheart. But I need to call and change our venue for the meeting."

"Good," I said. "I'll make us some breakfast."

Greer walked down the hall to his home office while I sent GQ a message that I'd be in later.

As we finished our omelets, the doorman called up to let us know our guests had arrived. I cleaned up our dishes as he went to greet them at the front door. Guest access was only available through the lobby via the doorman.

Greer's voice caught my attention as one woman and two men followed him into the kitchen, where I was loading the dishwasher. From their conversation, I could tell he was talking about Costa Rica.

I dried my hands and turned to greet them with a smile. It was obvious they weren't expecting to find anyone here, but my husband walked to me and slipped his arm around my waist, staking a claim on me right there in the kitchen.

"John, Margo, Steven, this is my husband, Austin Wentworth-Rowan."

I held out my hand as each one looked more surprised than the other. "How are you? Thank you for meeting with him here."

They continued to look from Greer to me, then back to Greer before Margo spoke up. "Husband? Congratulations." She looked at Greer. "I didn't know you were seeing anyone?"

He chuckled. "Relax and breathe, you guys. We've known each other since Chicago. This is not sudden."

One man looked minimally relieved. "Do we need to prepare a postnuptial agreement? I'm sure I can have one by the end of the day."

Greer held his hand up to stop them. "Won't be necessary. His last name was Wentworth. As in Wentworth Oil. He has as much money as I do. Probably more."

I smiled, trying to ease their concerns. "I appreciate your concern for his financial well-being. But I'm not interested in his money, only his heart. And if it makes you feel any better, I'm a former SEAL and the co-owner of Evans Security with Aidan Hayes-Monroe and Jesse Evans."

Greer smiled at me with pride in his eyes. "Austin is also Carter's younger brother."

Normally, I would have told them to fuck off, but these people had Greer's back. They needed to know I planned to stay right here in his life. And if name-dropping was going to do that for them, then so be it.

When they started to thaw, I kissed Greer and picked up the keys to the Jag. "I'm heading to the office, then to grab my things at the condo. Shouldn't be gone long. Call me if you need me."

"Okay. Hurry home." The glint in his eye hinted he had some plans for us and I winked to let him know I got the message.

I said my goodbyes and headed to the private elevator that would take me to the parking deck. But on second thought, I detoured to the front door, making sure it was locked, before heading out and down to the lobby.

When I reached the ground floor, I walked over and introduced myself to the doorman, making sure he knew who I was before heading out to the office.

When I got in the car, I pulled out my phone and sent a text to my brother.

Me: Hey. I'm back, but heading into a meeting. I'll call you this evening.

I dropped my phone on the passenger seat and started the car, glancing over to see if he'd texted me back. With no response, I started the car and headed across town.

Twenty minutes later, I pulled up to EHM. I parked along the driveway, making sure no one inadvertently hit the Jag. I liked the car, but preferred my Tahoe. One of those fuckers in there would have to drive it to the penthouse after I packed up.

When I opened the door, Trent came running out the door, almost running into me, followed by a huge brown Newfoundland. "Come on, Chance, let's go."

"Woah, buddy. What's your big hurry?" I squatted down to the eight-year-old, tearing out the door. The giant dog came to a stop and laid down on the floor, like he knew he was going to be here a while.

"I'm going swimming at Uncle Declan's house with Meredith and Megan and Zach and Parker and Ava and Olivia."

Kids. "That sounds like a bunch of fun. Don't forget your sunscreen."

He frowned at me. "Papa already told me. Daddy says he remembers everything and says he has a hard a?—"

"Nope, nope, nope. That's enough right there. You don't have to repeat everything you know to strangers," Marcus said, making me laugh. I looked up to find him carrying his two little girls. Maddie and Alex were almost two and cute as hell.

He propped his hand on my shoulder and looked at his daddy the same way Aidan did. Marcus was a pushover when it came to his kids."But Austin's not a stranger, Daddy. He's our friend. It's okay for him to know the stuff. Papa said so."

I curled my lips in to keep from laughing as mini-Aidan looked up at his father, who was trying not to laugh.

Marcus turned back toward where he'd come from. "Aidan! Your son is lecturing me like you do...again!" He winked at me as if he knew he was starting some shit with his husband.

"My son? I think we all know he's just like you." Aidan came out of his office followed by Jesse, Phantom, and Dreamboat.

"Aww man," he whined. "That's the fun part!"

Aidan squatted down and took Trent's face in his hands. "Behave yourself. Remember, Meredith doesn't have to invite you again."

Trent nodded and kept his eyes on his Papa. "Yes, sir. I won't splash the girls much. I'll make you proud."

Aidan grinned and shook his head. "I'll see you when you get home."

Trent nodded and tore out the door toward the house with Chance on his heels.

"Let's go swimming!" Marcus bounced the twins in his arms, making them laugh.

"Hey," I said. "Real quick, before you go, I have something to tell everyone."

Dreamboat snorted, and I flipped him off, phasing no one.

"What's up?" Phantom asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

I smiled and looked at them. "I got married in Costa Rica."

They looked at one another as if they hadn't heard me correctly.

"I said I got married in Costa Rica." I raised my left hand in the air as proof. "To Greer."

They were all silent until Dreamboat opened his big mouth. "Yeah, I thought they were shitting me too until I heard them all lovey-dovey in his room last night."

I pointed at him. "And you were butt-ass naked with a slicked-up Commander and unicorn dildo when we got home."

"Wait!" Jesse said, raising his hands. "We don't need to know any of that. But we do need to know about this marriage."

Marcus bumped my shoulder. "Congratulations, man. I'm gonna need that story, but I gotta go. We'll celebrate soon."

"Thanks, man," I said, watching him take off out the door.

I turned back to my friends, who were smiling at me. "All you need to know is we worked it all out, and we're happy."

Jesse grinned. "Good enough for me. Now, what do we need to talk about?"

I looked at them as the reason why I needed them returned to the front of my brain. "Greer is being sued by that asshole Dreamboat and I ushered out of the locker room after Greer fired him. I've got a feeling there's more to it, and someone is watching him."

Jesse's expression changed as he looked at me, then at Phantom. He nodded toward our war room. "Then let's get to work."

"Let me know if you need me," Aidan said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "He's got a sharp legal team, and I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Yeah, thanks, Aidan."

We each took a seat around the table as I downloaded all my information to them. "It was that same feeling I got before when we were getting ready to go into that embassy. It felt like eyes were on us then, and it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up today. Something is just... off."

GQ turned to Phantom, our cyber specialist, and Homeland Security operative. "Can we get Turner's location?"

Phantom nodded and stood. "Might take a while, but I'll find him."

He turned to leave, and it occurred to me he should have been on his detail. "Hey, why aren't you with Adam?"

He smiled at the mention of his name. "The Rockstar is at Cole's, working on some new music. And Patrick's there."

"How are they doing since the accident?" I asked.

He nodded. "Pretty good. Seeing the car was tough. We're heading out on tour in a couple of months, so hopefully Patrick will be good to go. Guess Greer is looking for a new linebacker, huh?"

"Probably. But he's got a team for that."

He smiled, then turned to walk out, remembering how close Patrick had come to dying in that car accident. I don't know what I'd do if something like that happened to Greer.

"How did Carter take the news?" GQ asked, shaking me from thoughts of mortality.

I shook my head and met his eyes. "Haven't told him yet. This felt more pressing."

"Are you avoiding it?"

I sighed. "No, but I'm not sure how he'll respond when I tell him I married his best friend. Then there's the NHL thing. I know zero about running a franchise."

"But your husband does," Dreamboat added. "He can save your butt."

I laughed. "Yeah, he does. Carter will want me to be happy. That's all he cares about. And I'm sure he'll be okay with Greer."

Jesse nodded. "I agree. We'll keep Greer safe, whatever is going on."

But something in the way he looked around at us told me he might have another idea. "I know that look. What are you thinking?"

He ran his hand over his jaw. "Are we sure its about him? We've had some hostile situations to deal with since we've been here. Phantom had the blackmail case with Adam, and you and Dreamboat handled the situations with Harper. Not to mention the defamation case for Alejandro's. I don't think we can rule out that it might be one of us."

"He's right," Phantom added. "It might be worth the time to look for connections. Find the common thread."

I furrowed my brow, but nodded. "Yes, I agree."

GQ's phone pinged, interrupting our conversation. He pulled it from his pocket, read it, then smiled. "Looks like the word is out, Dare. There's a party Saturday night to celebrate your wedding. Seems you have Marcus to thank for that. Eight o'clock at Bernardo's."

A loud groan came from down the hall, followed by footsteps that stopped in the doorway. "I'm fucking sorry, Austin. It's the offseason, and he looks for any excuse to have a party. If Bernardo's isn't okay..."

I raised my hand and smiled. "Bernardo's is perfect. We'll be there."

"You know," Dreamboat added, looking at Aidan, "if you fucked him a little more, you might wear him out."

Aidan just looked at him, then turned to walk away.

We all laughed, and I knew Greer would have a good time. I just hoped my brother was as happy for us as my friends were.