Page 94 of Illusive
“Such as?”
“Graham Teller, his girlfriend, and protection for Ireland.”
Cross leaned forward, setting his forearms on his knees. “I’m listening.”
Rehashing the incident at the bar, Ronan watched as Cross’s face took on a thunderous expression. “I’ve told the detectives,” he finished, “but I’m not sure they’re taking it as seriously as I think they should.”
“My team will look into her and deeper into Teller,” Cross said brusquely. “He’s an idiot. She doesn’t sound much smarter.That said, this may be a case ofwhoshe knows rather thanwhatshe knows.”
“That’s my thought as well,” he agreed. “And I believe Ireland needs full-time security.”
“O-kayyy,” Ireland said loudly, sliding off her stool with care. “If you’re going to talk about me, I’m participating.”
Ronan stood.
“I’m already pulling some candidates together,” Cross said, rising to his feet as well.
“So am I,” he rejoined.
Hischerrolled her eyes as she joined them. “Sit down, you two.”
Cross glared at him. “No one is entrusting her security to you. You’re a suspect, if you’ve forgotten.”
“More like a person of interest,” Ronan shot back.
“I trust him,” Ireland told her brother, taking the hand Ronan extended and then the armchair that he ceded to her. “And you know, Gideon, my judgment isn’t bad. I just give people the benefit of the doubt.”
Half-sitting on the arm of her chair, he was so proud of her in that moment that he wished he could kiss her senseless.
“The wrong people,” Cross rejoined, sitting back down, but his tone was soft.
“It takes a while to see someone’s true character,” she argued.
“Absolutely. And you’ve known this man a week, in which time he’s assumed control of something that’s yours.”
“And he’s doing a great job so far in stabilizing the company. But I’m not going to argue about my relationship with Ronan anymore.” She set her hand on Ronan’s knee. “We’re together, we’re seeing where things go, and that’s no one’s business but ours.”
Cross gave her an examining look. “All right. But you need to leave the management of your personal security to me.”
“I appreciate the offer, and I know how much it’ll cost you?—”
“Far less than what we’ve all suffered the past few days,” he interjected. “And expenses such as these are why I work as hard as I do, Ireland. It’s no burden to me.”
She gave him a patient look. “I understand that. But I don’t need people around me who are going to tell you everything I do and who I do it with. I have a right to privacy.”
For a moment, her brother just stared at her. Then he sank back into the sofa cushions. “Is that why you’ve resisted protection before? Why didn’t you discuss your concerns with me?”
“Well…I also didn’t think I really needed security. I mean, big blockbuster movie stars walk the New York streets without protection all the time. I’m just not that big of a deal.”
“You are to me. So I’m very relieved that you’ve reconsidered having a personal detail.”
“Uh…” Ireland glanced up at Ronan.
“You know how I feel,” he murmured.
She looked at Cross and nodded. Ronan breathed a deep sigh of relief.
“I’ll have some options for you in the morning,” Cross said. “You’ll start by reviewing their dossiers. It’s best to have at least six that interest you. From there, you’ll interview them personally. Ideally, the lead will be female, and your daily team will have at least one female at all times, so they can accompany you into areas where men aren’t allowed, such as bathrooms and dressing rooms.”
