25
Isla
My sister-in-law was pretty awesome. I’d mentioned how sad I was that I wouldn’t be able to see the Nobody’s Fool show, so she’d called me on FaceTime during the show and I watched most of it live. I’d had to get up at six in the morning, but that was okay. It was Sunday, so I’d planned to spend the day catching up on paperwork anyway. I wanted to ride Sassy for a bit and could nap in the afternoon if I got sleepy, but mostly I wanted to talk to Dax.
I’d seen most of the altercation between him and the guy who’d attacked Lexi, and my heart had been in my throat the whole time. Everly had only caught the last part of it because she’d been watching the band, and she’d texted me to assure me everything was okay, but it had been jarring to watch Dax holding that guy by the shirt, looking like a serious badass. I’d texted him half a dozen times and he’d texted back after the show to tell me he was okay, but we hadn’t really talked.
I’d just gotten out of the shower after a long, rainy ride with Sassy, when his name flashed on the screen of my phone and I hurried to answer. It was early evening here, so late morning in Vegas, and I figured he’d just woken up.
“Hi!” I said, answering quickly.
“Hey, babe.”
“Did you just wake up?”
“Just got out of the shower, but yeah, it was a long night.”
“Are you still in L.A.?”
“Yes. It was late by the time the show was over and we hung out a while. We’re meeting for breakfast in thirty minutes, so I thought I’d call you before we took off.”
“Who’s we?”
“Chains and the other guys from the security firm.”
“Sounds like you’re really enjoying this bodyguard stuff.”
“Isla, last night…” He seemed hesitant to continue. “Babe, when I spotted that guy going after Lexi and I stopped him, I’ve never felt so alive as I did in that moment.”
I swallowed. I’d never been so worried and he’d never felt so alive. I had a feeling his future career choices were going to make me uncomfortable. “I guess I’m not sure I understand,” I said softly. “Lexi could have been hurt, you don’t have any experience with this kind of thing, and yet you loved throwing yourself into the middle of it?”
He paused. “Well, that’s why I’m doing all of this, so I can get some experience to see if being a bodyguard is an option.”
“Is it?” I asked.
“Is it…an option?”
“Yes.”
“I, well, yeah. Why else would I be doing this?”
“So the FBI is off the table?”
“Nothing is off the table. I’m still figuring stuff out.” His voice held the faintest touch of annoyance, something I rarely heard from him, and I was startled.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean it that way, I just… Well, it scared me a little to see you grab that guy at the club. And with me so far away, it’s difficult to hear about all these things you’re trying, and feeling like I’m on the outside looking in.”
“I’m sorry about that. Truly. But I’m enjoying what I’ve been doing with Chains, and last night was kind of great, getting to see exactly what it would be like.”
“I guess we’ve never talked about the details,” I said slowly. “Like, what it is you’ll be doing if you decide to go this route.”
“Babe, I don’t have time for a conversation like this now. You’re right, we do need to talk about the details, but not today. Can we table this until I’m back in Vegas and have had a good night’s sleep?”
“Of course. I’ll let you get to breakfast. I need to freshen up before dinner anyway.”
“All right. Listen, if I don’t call you late tonight your time, I’ll call you as soon as I get up tomorrow, okay?”
“Talk to you then.” I disconnected and stared at nothing for a few minutes. That conversation had gone sideways quickly, and I wasn’t sure why. I really needed someone to talk to, but I didn’t have anyone. Ian was too far away and my mother would probably tell me to do whatever was necessary not to lose Dax, which wasn’t helpful in this situation. My best friend, Blair, whom I’d severely neglected of late, was away on business, and my other brothers, well, they tended to be less than helpful.
Maybe I could reach out to my new sister-in-law? Or one of the other wives I’d gotten to know?
I sighed, mentally shaking my head. I didn’t want to bring drama to their lives. No, I was going to have to weather this emotional storm on my own.
It was Sunday, which usually meant a quiet, casual meal with all family members present. It wasn’t mandatory, but we rarely had anywhere to be on Sunday evenings once summer was over, and everyone was already at the table when I got downstairs. Mum looked up with a faint smile and I noted she’d looked tired lately. I needed to spend more time with her, but I’d been gone most of the summer and now I was drowning in work.
“How’s Dax?” Granddad asked when I sat down.
“He’s good. Busy getting ready for training camp to start.”
“Seems you’ve been busy as well,” he said, lifting his wine glass and meeting my gaze from over the top.
I frowned slightly. Granddad never asked about my schedule or my work, unless he was commenting on how many late nights I’d been working or something like that. “Well, yes,” I replied slowly. “I’m teaching an extra class this year and it’s added an exponential amount of work to my schedule, but it’s just for the semester. When Dr. Brandon gets back from maternity leave, she’ll pick up the extra class.”
“Speaking of which, what about you?” he asked. “What
