“Shit. Hang on,” AJ said and muted the call.
He hated when the brothers did that, but, sometimes. it was better than hearing them loudly discuss the situation. As he began running down all he had to do, AJ returned.
“Devon will be there tomorrow to replace or upgrade your security system to include the second and third floor. He’ll also install some cameras that’ll give you full coverage of front and back. Front will cross the street, so you can see anyone hanging out.”
That took the first thing off his mental list of to do items. This system would be significantly better than what he’d planned. “We’ll be here. About my team—”
“Keeping Moira safe is now an Alpha team op. You’ll remain. Make room in your home for them. Have someone come grab what you need. Make sure to remind Cowboy that every situation does not require a flash bang.”
Danny smiled at the idea because he knew it to be true. “Thank you, AJ.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I’m your coordinator, and I get short-tempered when I’m called away from my wife and son for something that can wait. That’s not to say don’t wake me up before shit happens. Okay, you know the drill. I want Moira covered 24/7. If things get bad, we take her to the safe house. Stone will continue to pull intel for you. No more jumping the gun for you and taking away part of my job.”
An “oops” almost slipped out.
“Make sure she is on board or bring her to Jesse’s. Kate will convince her.”
Damn true on that. “Roger.”
AJ hung up.
Knowing his team had approval for this op, versus going rogue, released some of the rope coiling in his stomach. With a nod, he made his way back to the living room, wondering if he had any food left after Doc and Cowboy opened the pantry.
Surprisingly they only had bottled water open. “Did you guys have breakfast?”
Doc nodded. “We did drive-thru. Did you guys eat?”
“We did before Moira went to bed. The twins took turns.”
Wide eyed, Cowboy asked, “Did they say anything?”
“Nope,” Danny said as he shook his head. “I did get a nod from each of them.”
“Damn odd,” Cowboy said.
“Didn’t we cover this earlier?” Danny asked.
Cowboy shrugged. “Just trying to figure them out.”
“Maybe they just need to warm up to us,” Doc countered.
“Once they feel comfortable with us, I’m sure things will be different.” He held his phone out in front of him. “Are you ready for us to call Stone?”
“What about the twins?”
Cowboy just wouldn’t let that go, but he did need to bring them up to speed. Turning on his microphone, he ordered, “Mission brief. Jane, you need to be in here. John, we’ll broadcast the meeting, so just interrupt us if you need to.”
“Why Jane?” Danny didn’t recognize the voice, but it had to be John. The man did speak and might be protective of his sister.
“She’s going to be close to Moira, so I need you to handle things alone. We don’t have a sniper to spare, but let me know if you need Jane back. I think it’ll be easier to protect her with a woman most of the time.”
He counted his heartbeats in wait of whether John would respond.
“Good plan” was all he said.
From a black ops guy, who may not even legally exist, that put confidence back in Danny.
Chapter Twenty-Two
While Devon and crew updated his system with inside cameras, sensors on every window, glass breakage sensors, and motion sensors, Danny took Moira shopping to replace what she’d lost. It wasn’t a necessity and, according to Devon, was a risk not worth taking, but with Jane, John, and Cowboy all surrounding her and carrying concealed weapons, Danny felt they could keep her safe.
They still had no idea who destroyed her studio. It made no sense. Sure, she’d been followed, but to follow-up with destruction? It sounded like two separate incidents. It could be the same person and would be better if it was, so they didn’t have to keep an eye on more than one front, but still….
They were going to handle things as if Moira had been found. Well, except for today’s excursion. Doubt crept in. Maybe he shouldn’t have pushed for it. Was he losing his objectivity because he wanted the girl… wanted to please her? Had Boss and the brothers encountered the same issue? Granted, he wasn’t in love, but he could see himself falling in love with Moira. If only she wanted to stay in the States.
Once Justin collected the info to bring Boyle to justice, she could live freely. If she’d only stay, he’d help her get her start as an artist in any way he could. Surely Jesse and Kate had a contact that would be of use.
“Danny, can we go home now? I’d like to be there when all of these packages are delivered,” Moira said.
His heart warmed when she said “home.” It may have been a slip of the tongue, but he’d hoped the three months since she’d been here, she’d begin to consider his home hers. “Sure.” With that, the group turned and still maintained a protective circle around Danny and Moira. They were intent on their duty, and while none had liked the risk, they’d stood up to be selected for the detail. Doc had been left behind because Devon said his height would be of benefit during the install.
“Did you get everything you wanted?” he asked.
“Nay, but I have enough to get started again.”
He had no idea what she planned to do with all the paintings anyway if she was leaving, unless she planned to pack them all up and ship them. “What are you planning to paint next?”
“The streets of Dublin. More specifically one street. It holds memories I like to revisit.”
“Anything you want to share?”
He looked at her and caught a
