Page 52 of Just One More Moment

Chapter Eighteen

Afew dayshad passed since Lance’s gift ended up on Remy’s doorstep. Every morning since, Remy and Raven stopped at the hospital for a visit with his father. One Remy pre-arranged with one of his male siblings so someone would sit with Raven in an upstairs waiting room. Remy didn’t need her in the lobby, exposed to anyone walking in or out.

Today, his father was being discharged which allowed Remy to breathe easier and focus on what he wanted to do about Raven’s request to be bait for Lance. Understanding that Remy had a full plate, worrying about his father, she’d given Remy space and hadn’t pressured him for an answer. Now though, Alex would be home and Remy could free up his mental energy.

He’d invited his brothers to his apartment tonight, along with Garrett and Zach. They’d all arrived, knowing Remy wanted to discuss the Lance problem. Meanwhile, Raven was hanging out at Fallon’s apartment, along with Stevie and an Alpha Security bodyguard watching over them. It was the only way Remy would allow a girls’ night and he understood Raven needed an escape from his apartment.

Now, with his apartment full, Remy filled the men in, and as he spoke, he realized he was tired of talking about Lance Kane and having his life dictated by the sick fuck. He could only imagine how Raven felt. Zach went next, reiterating why he thought Raven’s idea of being bait had merit.

“I want this bastard behind bars again so Raven can live her life,” Remy said.

Garrett leaned forward in his seat. “Then I agree with Zach,” Garrett said. “Let her do that.”

“Can you guarantee her safety if he shows up and tries to grab her before I can get to her?” Because Remy would be inside the bar, not right by her side. Not if they wanted to give Lance the opportunity to strike.

Garrett hesitated. “There’s no way I’ll be able to get anyone assigned to watch her,” he said, making Remy’s gut clench.

“So how can you ask him to put her in danger?” Aiden asked.

Though Remy hadn’t been able to spend time with his wanderer sibling since he’d returned home, the twenty or so minutes the brothers had together before Garrett and Zach arrived had been enough time for Remy to lay out his feelings for Raven. The others might not be in a relationship but nobody gave him shit for it. Well, not too much. Just enough to know things were normal between them all.

“Because I have enough vacation time coming to watch over her myself,” Garrett said.

Remy relaxed upon hearing that. Though he had faith in himself to look out for Raven, knowing Garrett was there helped him accept the inevitable decision.

“What do you think, Rem?” Jared asked, glancing his way. His brother loosened his tie. He’d come straight from work and was still wearing his suit.

Remy groaned. “I was going to keep fighting it… until that damned bakery drop-off and threatening note. Lance will keep escalating and Raven’s right. It isn’t fair that she has to keep watching over her shoulder, being afraid all the time.”

“Remember, no setting him up,” Garrett warned. “Either he fucks himself or we wait until he does.”

Zach met Remy’s gaze. The two had been friends long enough that they could read each other’s thoughts. They each had been mulling over that very idea.

“I mean it, you two,” Garrett said, obviously catching their interaction and assuming they were making separate plans.

Remy nodded, meaning it. “I might have considered it but I wouldn’t jeopardize an arrest by making it anything but legit.”

“Agreed.” Remy’s words and Zach’s firm tone seemed to appease Garrett, who pushed himself to his feet. “Okay, I’ll put in for vacation time and be in touch.”

“I’ll leave with him. My wife is home waiting.” Zach and Hadley had come to their New York City apartment while this situation played out.

He rose and followed Garrett to the elevator.

Once the doors closed behind them, Remy glanced at his brothers. “You all understand, right? I have no choice. Hell, I’m worried if I don’t Raven will take matters into her own hands and do it anyway.” That or she’d run. Neither solution was an acceptable one.

“I can’t imagine it’s easy for you,” Aiden said. “I know after Mom died, the thought of letting any woman I care about put herself in danger is scary as fuck.”

Grateful that his brother understood, Remy nodded. “That’s always on my mind.”

“But Raven will have you, Garrett, and any one of us you need around to protect her,” Dex said.

The others murmured in assent.

And that’s why he loved his siblings. They might be a large family but they were also a tight unit. “As much as I appreciate that, you all have jobs to do.”

“Speak for yourself,” Aiden said. “I’m on leave.”

“And I’m retired.” Dex grinned. He rose and walked over to the bar. “Does anyone want a refill? There’s another bottle of Dirty Dare Scotch when this runs out.”

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