Theirs to Treasure (Beyond Monogamy Book 1) (17 page)

“Aiden and Paris are used to guards but not me. My work is confidential…”

“We’re not talking about when you’re meeting with a client, on the phone, or anything like that.” She glanced up at Kain. “You need protection, all of us do. If he comes after us, I want to know you’re safe. We’ll have enough issues with the media. We need to make sure our backs our covered from all angles, that includes watching the windows for shooters waiting for us to come out.”

He started to say something but she ran her hand over his cheek. “My cowboy, I won’t have something happen to you because you’re stubborn.”

Over the next hour, they had worked out a plan that made everyone happy, and kept them safe. Paris leaned against the counter and rolled her shoulders, completely tensed as if she had been in some extreme contract negotiations. Before she could suggest something to relieve the stress, Schwartz walked in the back door.

“Hey, Schwartz, let me bring you up to speed on the situation,” London called to him.

“I’ve got some calls to make.” Kain rose and stood beside her. “Give me twenty minutes and we can go see your mom if you want.”

“I might need longer than that; I need to speak with Schwartz. Where’s Cody anyway?”

“He was checking with some of the contacts I have to see if anyone has seen or heard from Kings. I suspect he’s still in your office working. Do you want me to send him down?”

“No, it’s fine.” She missed having him by her side but what he was doing was more important.

When Kain placed a kiss on her lips and stepped away, Aiden moved next to her. “I should also bring the two newest guards up to speed. Schwartz and the two guards we brought in will have the primary protection detail for us, especially you, today.”

“I’m fine, go ahead. Then we can go see Mom.” She looked over Aiden’s shoulder to London and added. “All of us. Together.”

“Yes, sister dearest.”

She busied herself with the dishes, rinsing them before adding them to the dishwasher, while London and Schwartz talked. She tried to get her thoughts off everything that was going on and figure out what she was going to tell Schwartz. Whatever happened with his sister, she needed to discuss his job with him now that he was the guardian of his niece. She needed to know if he was willing to continue as her guard and what his plans for his niece were. She also hoped to find out why he hadn’t told her what was going on.

“Hey, Paris.” Schwartz leaned against the counter next to the dishwasher. “You know I’ve got you covered, so try not to stress too much. Focus on Mrs. Nelson and your family.”

“I’d never doubted you.” She closed the dishwasher and turned it on. “Come with me, there’s something I wanted to discuss with you.” Without waiting for him to follow, she led the way to Paul’s office. Normally she’d have used hers, but with Cody and Kain using it she needed another space that would give them privacy.

“What’s going on?” he asked when she shut the door behind them.

“Have a seat.” She motioned to the small sitting area because this was supposed to be a friendly conversation, not one with her as his boss.

“I’m not sure I like where this is going.” He took a seat in the only chair, leaving the loveseat for her.

“Beating around the bush is pointless, so I’ll come right to the point. Why didn’t you tell me about your family?” When he only raised his eyebrow at her, as if wondering what she knew, she continued. “I found out this morning that you went to court on Friday to gain custody of your niece because your sister can’t care for her. You should have told me.”

“Why? So you can let me go from a job I love that gives me the ability to provide a life for her? What would happen then? I’ll tell you what, she’d be stuck in the same shitty system I was raised in.” There was a heat in his eyes she hadn’t seen before.

“Why would I fire you because you did the right thing by your family? Do you think so little of me that I would just let you go? You’re an excellent guard and you saved my life. I’d hate to lose you because I know you keep me safe and you do your best to keep bystanders out of the line of crap that seems to be following my family.” She leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees. “I thought I was more than your employer, or your assignment…damn it, Schwartz I thought we were friends.”

“We are, and I never meant to hurt you. I didn’t tell you because I’ve come to see you and your family as my family. You know I have no one. Growing up in the system my sister and I were separated, it wasn’t until she was pregnant with Mya that we even found each other.” He ran his hand over his jawline. “To take the chance of losing you guys was something I wasn’t willing to risk. I had hoped to keep the situation with Mya quiet until I could prove it wouldn’t interfere with my job.”

“I don’t know the whole story about your past, but I can guess it was rough. I know you had a few brushes with the law as a juvenile before you turned toward boxing and martial arts. It’s the reason we found you. You’ve come a long way since then, whether it be because of your history or your training, or both, you’re a damn fine guard.”

“If you’re not firing me, then why am I here?”

“I wanted to talk to you about this. I need to know if you have things in line in order to continue doing your job, or if you need some time off to get things done.”

He shook his head. “Everything has been covered. I hired a nanny, Riley, more than two months ago to make sure Mya and her would work, and it’s also something my lawyer suggested because it would help with the court date. She moved into my house last week to be prepared and Mya was able to come home Friday after the hearing. Everyone is settled in and Riley understands my schedule, so she’ll handle everything for as long as you need me.”

She ran her hands down her jeans and stood. She strolled to the window and glanced toward the gate where she could see reporters’ vans and the guards arguing with someone. “This is a sensitive question, but have you considered what will happen to Mya if you’re hurt or worse because of this job?”

“Somewhat.”

“What do you mean?” She turned to look at him. “It’s something you should have in place.”

“Actually, I was hoping I could impose.” He stood from the chair and came to her. “Paris, like you said we’re friends…the closest friend I have, and the only one I’d want to raise Mya if something happened to me. I’d like to have Mr. Nelson draw up a will naming you Mya’s guardian.”

“What?” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You know how dangerous my life is. How could you want to place her in my care?”

“I also know you’re the best one to raise her. When I took this job I didn’t believe relationships could work, let alone the ones your family lives, but I’ve seen them firsthand. A relationship isn’t something I’ve had much luck with, it was kind of hard, especially because I couldn’t tell anyone I dated what my work was. Then, once it became legal…let’s just say dating wasn’t possible at all. The point is, if things change in the future, I would be open to a relationship like your parents have and like you have now. I’d like Mya to see what it’s like as well so she doesn’t grow up with any prejudices about it. Will you agree to be Mya’s guardian if something should happen to me?”

Paris wasn’t sure how long she stood there considering what Schwartz had asked until she finally nodded. “I’ll have Dad draw up the papers. He’s the one who should have been representing you in court.”

“I couldn’t have him as my lawyer unless I told you. We both know it’s not a secret Mathew would have dealt with. He’d have wanted me to tell you in order for him to represent me. Anyway, it worked out.” His lips curled up into a smile that lit up the room before he got serious. “Do you think you should tell those guys before you sign any papers? I understand if their comments on the situation will change your mind about Mya. After all, I hadn’t expected you to fall for a client. You’ve always been so business-minded. London, on the other hand—”

“No, I’ll tell them, but things won’t change. They’ll understand. Now, I want to see this little girl as soon as things calm down. Well, I’m not sure my life has ever been calm, but maybe Kings will be arrested quickly and we won’t have that hanging over our heads any longer.”

“I have a friend on the force. I’ll give him a call and see if they have any leads.”

“Thanks.” She glanced back outside before stepping away from the window. “I’m going to see Aiden, Kain, and Cody. They might have made progress with their connections and I want to let them know what happened here. When you’re done, you can meet up with the other two guards in the living room to go over your strategy for today and the trip to the hospital. They already know you’re in charge.”

“Who requested that?” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket but didn’t unlock the screen.

“Me. I don’t know these two new guys. They arrived last night and have done security detail for Aiden. However, you I know and I won’t have anyone else in charge, not with all this shit hovering around, ready to drop at a moment’s notice.”

“I have no doubt you’ll keep them on their toes.” He shook his head.

“I hope they know what they’re getting into,” she teased, strolling from the room in search of her men. Updates were needed and then they could be on their way to the hospital. She came around the corner toward the stairs and ran straight into Kain.

“Darling, I was just coming to find you.”

“You found me.” She ran her hand along the tight contours of his chest. The shirt was between them but didn’t stand in the way from her remembering just what was under the thin material. “Everything okay?”

“Paul called and somehow your mother managed to convince Doctor Tobias and Doctor Vander that the best place for her is here. She’ll be discharged this afternoon so he just wants us to wait here for them.”

“I see. Dad thinks I’m going to remain a prisoner at home now that things have come out. I’m sure that’s one of the reasons Mom pressed to come home.” She stepped back, anger sparked within her.

“Maybe partially, but you can’t blame them for that. We all want to keep you safe.” He ran his hand along her cheek. “I think it also has to do with the intruder in Mrs. Nelson’s room last night.”

“What?”

“Paul had stepped out of the room to get more coffee, while Mathew and your mother slept. When he came back someone had gotten past the hospital guards and was entering her room.”

She took a deep breath and reminded herself that her mother was okay. “What about our guards? Mom should have had one at the room. The damn hospital security guards don’t understand the dangers from people against us. They’ve tried over and over again to use us as examples of what will happen to those who choose to live this lifestyle.”

“The guard your family hired was grabbing a bite to eat, he was only to be gone a few minutes. They had two hospital guards in as replacement for one of your guys, plus there were others farther down the hall to hold off the reporters.”

“What happened? Was she harmed?”

“No, Paul arrived back just as it happened. It’s the reason the hospital and doctors agreed to her discharge. They don’t want to have to worry about her safety, or any of the other families, while your mother is on hospital premises.” He lightly wrapped his arms around her waist. “Why are you looking so worried? It’s good that she’s coming home.”

She nodded. “But something could have happened—”

“Don’t.” He let go of her and put a finger to her lips. “You can’t think of what
might
have happened. The important thing is it
didn’t
happen. Everyone learned from it and in the future extra precaution will be taken. What matters is she’s safe.”

“She could have been killed.” She continued to force air into her lungs to try to ease the tightness in her chest. “Damn it why can’t people see that we have the right to live however we want. We shouldn’t be hated or attacked because we don’t choose the standard one male and one female relationship. The world has come to accept same sex couples, so why can’t they accept us?”

“Darling, same sex marriages became legal over a hundred years ago but it took decades for people to accept it. We’re still on the battlegrounds for this. Hopefully, one day our children will be able to live without a threat hanging over their heads. But right now we must stand strong to give future generations an opportunity to have what we’ve held dear.”

She knew he was right, but at that moment she wanted to take her men back to Cody’s plane and fly them away somewhere safe. To hide away in the middle of nowhere, where they didn’t have to worry about threats to their lives, or the media, and they could just focus on each other. That could never be her life. No matter where she went, they’d always find her. Her family was leading the world beyond monogamy, and it wasn’t something she could hide from even if she wanted to.

The day had gone unlike anything Paris expected. When Mom arrived back from the hospital, she seemed like a whole new person. For the first time in months she wasn’t sick, she had a little more energy, and she finally had color in her cheeks. Paris wasn’t sure why the cancer was just gone. Could it have been the chemotherapy and radiation combination? Or was this an honest miracle?

Even the doctors couldn’t understand what had happened. Either way, none of the family was willing to look a gift horse in the mouth. They’d take this blessing and be thankful. If there was one thing cancer taught them, it was to cherish every moment as if it was their last.

They had spent much of the day together as a family, chatting in the living room, with a raging fire going. It was a perfect day together with the snow falling steadily outside. Aiden, Kain, and Cody had fit perfectly into her family as if they were always supposed to be there. Even London had joined them, his attitude diminished. They couldn’t have had a better day together, without any of the pressures, if they had planned it that way.

She had even used that time with her family all together to bring them up to speed on Schwartz’s situation and to ask Mathew to draw up the needed paperwork for her to have guardianship of Mya if something should happen to Schwartz. Everyone had the same reaction as she did, that he should have told them from the beginning. In the end, it had worked out, just as everything else had lately.

Now that her fathers had forced Mom to their room in order to rest, Paris sat curled up with her laptop. Aiden was on one side of her, his arm around her shoulders, while Kain worked on his laptop on the other side of her. Her sweet exhausted Cody had fallen asleep on the chair across from her.

“I thought you had work to do? Instead I find you eyeing Cody,” Aiden whispered, so not to wake him.

“Oh, you mean these dozens of client emails? Hmmm, here I thought they’d answer themselves.” She slipped her finger over the mouse pad and brought up the next email. It was a message from Carter about the match she had set up for him. It explained how wonderful things were going and that they couldn’t have been happier. He’d also mentioned an invitation to their wedding in June, while the official invitation would be sent out later. Things had worked out for them—another successful match.

“Paris.” Mathew stood in the doorway.

“Dad, come in. Everything okay?” She leaned forward, placing her laptop on the ottoman.

“Mom’s fine, she’s having ice cream in bed with Paul. I need to discuss the company with you.”

“Okay, we can go into my office.” She started to get up before he stopped her.

“This is something that will affect them as well so we might as well do it here.” He sat in the only other chair, his elbows on his knees. “Paul and I haven’t been involved nearly as much as we should be with the company.”

“That’s understandable, Dad, you needed to focus on Mom.”

“I could have sworn I wasn’t finished.” He shook his head, but smiled at her. “Paris, you’ve shown that you have what it takes to run the company. You have ideas to keep it fresh and attractive to all generations. While we still want to have a part in the company, we also want to do more with Amy. Therefore, we want you to step into the position of vice-president of Beyond Monogamy.”

Completely stunned, her jaw slacked open and she had to blink away the tears of joy to focus. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say yes. You’ve worked long and hard for this company. It’s time you begin to take it over. Our goal all along was for you to take the company someday, and for London to be vice-president. These are the first steps to it.” Dad leaned back in his chair. “With you taking over the day to day operations, and other vice-presidential duties, that means London will need to step into the roles of some of the things you used to handle. It will give him the chance to prove himself and grow up. I’m not giving you this VP promotion because you’re my daughter, but because you deserve this opportunity.”

He glanced at Aiden and Kain before looking back at her. “It doesn’t mean you have to stay here. If they’re your destiny and you wish to move to Wyoming, you can do everything you need to there. However, there is one stipulation to this promotion.”

She rose an eyebrow at him. “What’s that?”

“You have to hire an assistant. No deal without one. You were overworked before and I won’t see you that way again as VP.” He ran his hands down the armrest and stood. “You don’t have to give me an answer now.”

“I’ll take it, and I know the perfect person for the assistant position.”

Dad stood in front of the chair and shoved his hands in the pocket. “Who?” When she told him, he gaped. “Schwartz?” The surprise was clear in his tone.

“He’d be perfect at it. In the past he’s done a few things for me and it makes sense with this new development,” she explained.

“He’s your best guard.” Aiden’s teased his fingers along her shoulder.

“True, which makes it an even better idea to have him by my side as my assistant. It also allows him to have more reasonable hours to care for Mya. It’s best for both of us.”

“You expect him to do double duty? To be your assistant and your bodyguard?” Mathew asked.

“Yes, somewhat. If something happens, wouldn’t it be better to have him by my side? It would also make the clients feel more at ease if they think he’s just my assistant instead of a bodyguard.” She tipped her head to look at Aiden. “There’s also the other two guards you brought in, so it’s not like I’ll be unprotected. We can see how they work out and Schwartz can train them to take over as my lead guards.”

“Talk to him and find out if he’s interested, but you damn well better be safe.” Mathew looked to the guys. “I trust the three of you can make sure she thinks this through completely before she talks to Schwartz.”

“Leave it to us.” Aiden nodded.

“Why is it that men always stick together?” She shook her head. “Dad, you know I can take care of myself.”

“I also know that without Schwartz you’d have been in worse situations in the past. He’s kept some of the shit at bay to keep you safe.” Mathew paused for a moment before finally nodding. “I can see some benefits to having him as your assistant.”

“I agree there are some benefits to it.” Kain didn’t even look up from his laptop.

“I’m glad someone is on my side. Schwartz—” Her words were cut off by a loud explosion, the house shaking. “What the hell was that?”

Cody practically flew out of the chair where he’d been sleeping. “What the fuck was that?”

“Paris, where’s your pistol?” Mathew snapped, stepping toward the window but keeping his body low.

“Locked in my nightstand.” She stood and went to him, only to be pushed back.