Page 47 of Watch Over Me

"One of the perks of working here," Martinez said, when Eddie commented on it. "They've done the same after I got shot. Including you, if I recall," he added with a wink.

"Well, yes, but you got shot." He paused, his throat suddenly dry. "I didn't."

"Good thing you didn't," Martinez muttered before raising his voice to a normal level. "Still, you were in danger and people are glad you pulled through. Enjoy it."

Before Eddie could say anything to that, Vic came in.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Eddie, there's a Robert Bailey downstairs, claiming he's your brother and being quite demanding about getting to see you. We can push back or I can offer him a visitor's badge and send him up to the VIP lounge. Whatever you prefer."

"Oh." Eddie stood up. He hadn't expected his brother to come here. He'd texted Robert on the way to the office and figured he'd give him a call later to reassure him, but that was about it. "I can meet him wherever, it doesn't have to be the VIPlounge."

Vic raised his eyebrows. "I know it doesn't, but I'm offering it. Lounge it is, then," he said on his way out.

Eddie turned to the group he'd been sitting with around the conference table and saw James stood up as well, obviously ready to follow.

When their gazes met, James hesitated, glancing around, then huffed and rubbed his hand over the back of his neck.

"I'm a little on edge and I'd prefer not to take my eyes off of you, if that's… If you don't mind. I can stay outside the room, of course, and—"

"It's fine." Eddie reached out and squeezed his hand briefly. "Let's go, then."

He didn't feel up for wandering anywhere alone quite yet, either, but he wouldn't have admitted that, even to these men. James's offer helped him save face and provided the security he needed.

If he hadn't been so completely gone on the guy before, Eddie would have fallen today—and fallen hard.

Later, he reminded himself, unable to look at James now without doing something stupid, like pushing him against the wall and kissing him until he couldn't anymore. They needed to talk first, though. Really talk.

So, later.

For now, he apparently had a distressed big brother to reassure.

Since the VIP lounge was empty when they walked in, Eddie busied himself with doing a quick tour of the space. He'd been here once before, soon after it was remodeled, but it made even more of an impression now, with some added books, art works, and tied-back curtains showing off a marvelous view of the city.

Then, the elevator pinged and Robert stepped out withVic, who motioned him forward before turning around and leaving.

Eddie moved to welcome his brother, only to be surprised by Robert pulling him into a hug.

A proper hug.

They hadn't had one in… around twenty years, perhaps? Or whenever it was that Robert had decided he was too cool for his little brother.

After a moment of hesitation, Eddie closed his arms around Robert and hugged him back.

Something in his chest suddenly threatened to come undone, though, so he pulled back quickly to stay calm. He had pushed through it this far. He wasn't going to fall apart in front of his brother. No way.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Robert put both hands at the sides of Eddie's neck and met his gaze. "Did they check you out?"

"I'm not hurt, but yes, the paramedic on the scene checked me out, and then my boss insisted I talk to our physician here, as well, so I did. She gave me some ointment for my wrists and told me to take it easy for the rest of the day, that's about it."

Doctor Omara also talked to him about acute stress symptoms and what to expect when the shock wore off, but Eddie decided not to share that part with Robert. He might share it with James, if asked, but not with anyone else.

"Your wrists?" Robert glanced down at his hands, and Eddie sighed.

"Yeah, they had me in zip ties and I bruised my wrists a little when I got out of them. It's nothing."

Robert stared at him. "You got out of the zip ties they put you in."

"Yeah." When his brother continued to stare, Eddieshrugged. "Kalei, our boss, teaches basic self-defense to every employee in admin and tech support."

---