49. Kade

49

Kade

" T essa wants to go back to her life," I say.

"My daughter has always been stubborn," Alberto replies with a long-suffering sigh. I silently wonder how he can possibly comment on a daughter he's barely seen since she was a small child, but think better of voicing my opinion.

"I'm not sure I can persuade her to stay here much longer. Harry is supposed to start kindergarten next week."

I know she doesn't believe me when I say I understand, but I do. It can't be easy for her stuck out here with two guys she barely knows, away from her friends. It's only natural for her to feel confined.

However, unless we can ensure her security, she's not going anywhere. She can scream and shout all she likes about how fucking unfair it is, but I refuse to let her walk into danger. Over my dead body is she leaving in a fucking Uber.

"Take her to Albion Towers. She can have the penthouse apartment. It's empty at the moment. The building is secure."

The penthouse was occupied until last month, but Alberto's latest fling was kicked to the curb. Melissa moved out after a huge row. She made it quite clear she wanted Alberto to put a ring on it, or she'd leave. He called her bluff, which left her with no choice but to go.

Served the gold-digging bitch right. I never liked her, and she knew it.

"She's going to need a security detail for a while. While Ferrero is dead and Mashkov has left town, I'm not convinced the threat has disappeared. We still don't know how Mashkov found out she's your daughter."

"I agree, which is why I'm willing to pay for her current protection to continue."

"You want my brother and Madden to carry on providing security?"

"Yes. I don't care what it costs."

I'm not sure Madden will agree to this. Tessa's presence here was never meant to be long term and he has other jobs in the pipeline.

"Let me talk to the guys."

"I'll pull some strings to get Harry into Forest Academy."

"You know she'll lose her shit if you interfere in Harry's education?" If there's one thing I've learned about Tessa, it's that she is fiercely independent. The woman will refuse help, even if it means cutting off her nose to spite her face.

"Forest Academy is the best school in the city. And it's convenient for the apartment. If she objects, I'll speak with her." I wish he would speak to her, but he prefers passing on messages via me instead.

Honestly, they're both as stubborn as each other.

"We'll do it," Madden says.

My jaw drops. I walked into his office fully expecting an argument. I even had a list of valid points to make if he refused Alberto's offer. What I wasn't expecting was for him to agree immediately.

"I thought you had jobs lined up?"

"Nothing that can't be canceled. Tessa's safety is more important."

"Damn right it is," mutters Cin, which is worrying because it suggests my brother has fallen for his client.

"Alberto wants her to stay in the penthouse in his city center building because it's more secure."

Madden nods. "Good idea."

"I'll check out the security system once we get there," Cin says. "Make sure it's up to scratch."

"So we're agreed?"

Madden and Cin both nod. "Yeah."

"I'll go let Tessa know."

"You don't have to agree to this," I tell Madden as we sit on the deck. Tessa is bathing the kids, and Cin has gone out for a run.

He swallows a mouthful of beer and stares off into the trees. "I know."

"I can sort something else out if you'd rather not play babysitter," I add.

"I said it's fine!" he snaps. "She's still in danger, even if she doesn't want to see it. I don't trust anyone else to protect her."

"You care for her," I observe. It's plain as day. How did I miss this? Jesus. I thought my idiot brother was the only one with the crush. Turns out I was wrong.

"She's just a client," he says dismissively. "I'm always protective of my clients."

"Really? I don't remember you acting this way about Angelina Black or Jewel Silver," I snort.

"I don't want to see her kids hurt." He shrugs and drinks more beer. "They're too cute."

"They are cute," I agree. "But I think this is about Tessa."

"Fuck off, Kade. You're making something out of nothing."

Typical Madden. He hates talking about his feelings, which is why he's never once admitted to me he has a thing with my brother. I've always known, but Madden likes to pretend they are friends and colleagues. Nothing more.

"Cin likes Tessa. He won't want to leave her unprotected."

"Oh, this is about Cin?" I call bullshit.

He shuffles uncomfortably in his chair. "No, I'm just saying that's why I agreed to continue the security arrangement."

"Right." Madden doesn't miss the skepticism in my voice.

"You seem pretty invested too, Kade," he notes. "Maybe Cin isn't the only one with an unhealthy interest in our pretty redhead?"

I jump on his comment to deflect from what he's suggesting. "You think she's pretty, eh?"

He huffs out a laugh. "I'm not blind, Kade."

I drain my beer and stand. "Doesn't matter what I think about her, Madden. At the end of the day, she's Alberto's daughter and off-limits to me. And if you have any sense, you'll keep it professional too."

If he wants to get involved with Tessa, that's up to him, but associating with a mafia boss's daughter could draw unnecessary attention to him and the business brand he's worked hard to build.