It was almost three o’clock in the afternoon when I made my way back to the apartment. I was tired both physically and emotionally after the last few days and their events. When I walked back into my apartment all I wanted was to sleep, but I still had a job to do.
The apartment was empty with a note on the kitchen counter from Mike.
Taken Littrell and friend to Richardsons’. Meet you there.
Mike
Brian and Leighanne were in good hands with my brother. That gave me a little time to just be for a while. I took a long hot shower and changed clothes before taking a few minutes to just sit on the sofa.
My eyes focused on a picture on the table and I reached for it. It was a one of a kind photograph of Michael and I the day our father asked me to join his team. I was eighteen, young and stupid in so many ways, but my father had faith in me and it was because of that I was damn good at my job. He had taught me and trained me and shown me all his secrets. I was the best of the best. Taggerts were known world wide for being the best possible protection.
That was the thought still running through my head when I knocked on Kevin’s front door just a little while later.
“Hey,” Kevin said when he opened the door.
“Hey, Kev. They all right?” I asked, following him inside.
“As good as can be expected,” he answered as we walked into the living room.
Mike was the first to spot me and he immediately stood and moved toward me. Putting his arms around me, he hugged me close and looked down into my eyes.
“Thank you,” I whispered to him.
“How is she?” he asked. “She’s gonna be fine. They are keeping her over night. She’s got a pretty bad concussion but she’s gonna be just fine, Michael,” I answered, smiling tiredly.
“Good, you know I don’t like it when my munchkin gets hurt,” he said, grinning.
“Me either,” I answered. I peeked over his shoulder at the four people watching us. “Do they know where I’ve been?”
“No, I just told them you had a personal emergency.”
I nodded and stepped around him.
“I’m sorry I ran out on you this morning but you were in the best possible care,” I explained to Brian and Leighanne.
“Are you all right?” Brian asked.
“I’m fine. Sasha was hurt early this morning and I’ve been at the hospital with her and her father,” I answered, giving a reassuring smile.
“Oh my goodness! Is she all right?” Kristen asked, her face a mask of concern. I looked around the room and noted that they all appeared worried for my little girl.
“She’s fine. She has a little bit of a headache now, but she’s fine. Thank you for worrying though.”
“So now what?” Leighanne asked. “I mean what do we do after last night?”
“Now we keep you and the man by your side safe. I’ve made a few phone calls, collected a few favors, and now I’m about to call in the second best bodyguard in the business for some help,” I answered, turning to look at my brother. “So how about it, Mikey? Ready to come back to work after an all too short break?”
“If it means the chance to work with the best of course,” he answered, smiling.
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