Page 56 of Emeric

“You weren’t going to tell me?” Jordan stared, eyes narrowed, that muscle ticking in his jaw where he stood in my conference room. It wasn’t working on me. I said he could help, but that didn’t mean I considered what was sent to me a threat.

“It’s nothing.” Well, not nothing, but an email threatening my life wasn’t new to me.

He planted his hands on the table and leaned forward to get closer to where I sat, reclined in a chair. “They threatened to kill you.”

“It’s not my first death threat.”

“Jesus Christ,” he bit out. “What the fuck am I supposed to do here, Emeric? I can’t help when you brush off threats. I’m tempted to wipe my fucking hands of this whole situation.”

“Don’t,” Oleander interjected. Up until then, he’d been quiet. It wasn’t without difficulty. The more time I spent with him, the better I could read him. Oleander had barely held himself still since he walked through the door. He wanted to question me, shake sense into me, and whatever else he deemed necessary. I was surprised they didn’t suggest I stay at the safe house with Sylvan.

“Pack your shit, Em,” Jordan stated. “You’re going to the safe house.”

Sitting forward, it was my turn to stand and put my palms on the table. “Absolutely not. I won’t let some asshole hacker drive me from my hotel, my home, or from my damn life.”

“You’d rather be gunned down?”

“It’s probably an empty threat from someone holed up in a tiny apartment on the other side of the state or country or world. You have no idea who or where they are.”

“You’re right, which makes this that much more dangerous.” Before he could say more, his phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and tapped the screen. “What?” he barked with the phone to his ear. “Are you serious?” Another few seconds… “Lock it all down. Tell Barry to secure my family, then search everywhere.” He ended the call. “Change of plans. Pack your shit. You’re staying with me.”

“I’m not sure you heard me the first time.”

“Oh, I did, but that was before Lawson told me this person hacked into my security system at the safe house and sent a video from that feed to your email. Lawson just watched a video of you entering the garage, then the living room. This motherfucker hacked my system. This is no longer me trying to convince you to get your shit. It’s a goddamn order.”

In a rush of cold, the blood felt like it drained from my face, then down my body. “Sylvan?”

“If you don’t do it for me, do it for him,” he seethed. “Sheldon, get in the fucking car and drive as fast as you can to Sylvan. Call him on the way and say avocado. He’ll know what it means and what to do.” I wanted to ask, but now wasn’t the time. Jordan did things the way he did for a reason. I might have fought them before Sylvan entered the equation.

“I’ll go,” Oleander rushed to say.

My ass met the chair as reality continued to crash around me. I could handle anything coming my way. It didn’t matter. That someone got through Jordan’s security to prove a point, to threaten my life, to show they could find me wherever I was, hit harder. Not because of me, but because of Sylvan.

“No, you’re going to stay here,” Jordan bit out. “Sheldon can and will handle this.”

“He needs backup. What if Sylvan⁠—”

“Enough, Oleander! This is one of those times you’re going to fucking listen to me. We have it handled. Sheldon, now.”

“I didn’t want Sylvan involved,” I muttered as Sheldon left. I should be comforting Oleander, telling him Jordan and Sheldon would take care of Sylvan, but I couldn’t. “This is about me. I still don’t know why.”

“You only see certain parts of my life, Em,” Jordan said. “You know the lengths I’ll go to for my family and those who work for me. When someone threatens those I care about, all bets are off. I will do whatever it takes to protect them. That includes you and Sylvan. You might think you don’t care if someone comes for you. We’re playing a different game now. They came for you then me. They knew what they were doing when they hacked into my security at the safe house.”

His phone rang again. Jordan placed it on the table and put it on speaker. “Go ahead.”

“Everything’s been secured,” Lawson said. “I’m about to put new measures in place. Barry knows. The guards are on high alert. Hartley and Vail are still in the building, and Barry sent Raiden and Lane to provide backup to Julia.” Julia was Ava’s guard. She was always with her when Ava wasn’t in the safety of Jordan’s building. Vail was given custody of Ava when her mom was tragically killed in a car accident.

“Good. Work on isolating how it happened and ensure it never does again. Now, Lawson.” He hung up. “I have a system that rivals the goddamn best out there, and they still got in. Vinnie, coordinate with Greer. Ask him to work with Barry to assist in this.”

“Yes, sir.”

I hadn’t heard Greer’s name in a while. He was one of Jordan’s son’s partners and very good with technology. I didn’t think anyone Jordan knew was better than Lawson though. Then again, it didn’t matter how skilled someone was; there was always someone better out there.

“Oleander, stay with Emeric,” Jordan directed. “I need to get home. Don’t linger. It’s obvious this person isn’t after the hotel. They’re after Emeric and, in turn, my people. I’m not playing with this asshole. No one has fucking time for this shit. And no one who gets into my system will live to brag about it.” He turned and was out the door before I could speak. Then again, what the hell would I say at this point?

Jordan reentered a minute later. “I’m stationing guards in your hotel. Your guests won’t know they’re here. They’ll blend in. Make sure you have rooms for them. Ten in total. I’m putting twenty on here to keep it covered. You’ll work out of my building. And don’t give me that shit about needing to be here. Your staff knows how to do their jobs. They’ll be fine for a week while we get this taken care of. This motherfucker is after you, not them. This is additional security just in case.” He was back out the door before I could thank him.

Time ticked by; how much I wasn’t sure. Oleander received a text from Sheldon saying Sylvan was safe. I knew he could drive fast; they all could.