Page 58 of Emeric

I had a feeling where this was going, but needed the clarification, so I asked, “Where will I be resting my head at night?”

“On my chest. You and Sylvan will be in my bed, if he wants to, that is. You need to be in there, so I make sure you don’t try to leave.”

I chuckled. “You’re going to stop me? You have to sleep sometime.”

“I do, but Sheldon doesn’t. He’s quite adept at spending nights roaming the halls, although he does it less now that he’s with Forest. Or I’ll have Barry keep an eye on you. If you leave my apartment, you’ll be tracked. No one gets in or out of that building without the guards knowing.”

“You think I’ll pry myself away from your bare body, because you will be naked if I’m in bed with you, to sneak out of the building, and what? Run over to my hotel to find out if they need anything? I have a phone and computer for that, Ollie. I said I’d go with you and I meant it. Being with you and Syl is the only good part of the situation.”

They were the reasons I was doing this. I could spend day and night with them when Oleander wasn’t working. That was a win for me and hopefully one for them as well.

26

OLEANDER

The only times I had trouble sleeping were when someone I cared about was in danger or was hurt. Every other day, I passed out and didn’t stir easily. Sheldon had to come in and wake me on countless occasions when we had to rush out for an urgent matter.

Now, I couldn’t sleep for more than a few hours at a time. It was brutal. For days, I’d walked around like a zombie. This wasn’t me. I couldn’t function with this little sleep. I’d be good for a bit, then as the day went on, I’d fade.

“Ollie,” Sheldon whispered. He was right by my damn ear. If I weren’t so fucking exhausted, I’d smack him. “Ollie, can you hear me?”

“Fuck. You,” I mumbled.

“Oh, good, you’re not dead. I saw your chest moving, but I can never be too sure.”

“Why are you bothering me?”

“Any minute now, our boss is going to either walk right in or knock on the door. If he sees you like this, he’s going to pull you. Someone else will guard Vail then.”

My eyes popped open, and I immediately sat up straight. “I’m up. I’m good.”

“Real convincing.”

Vail was mine to guard. He was family to me. Sure, I trusted the other guards, but they weren’t me. I knew Vail well. There was no one able to protect him better than me. Maybe Jordan, but he wasn’t in the business of guarding people.

The door to my apartment was pushed open, Jordan entering without a knock. This was his building. He did as he pleased. Although, if he thought anyone was fucking in here, he wouldn’t barge in like that. I was here, trying not to pass out, while Emeric worked in one of the conference rooms, and Sylvan was with Vail talking about baking.

“Good, you’re both here,” Jordan stated

“Ollie lives here, so he usually is,” Sheldon said. Always the smart-ass.

“Shut up,” Jordan growled, although there wasn’t much heat behind it. “Oleander, you up for going out? You’re not sleeping. Barry told me to take you off duty for a while, but that would only piss you off, so I’m not. But I won’t send you out to protect one of the most important people in my life if you can’t remain upright.”

“I’m fine, sir.”

“One fuckup, and you won’t have to worry about lack of sleep. Where I’ll send you, you won’t wake up.” It was a bit harsh, but that was Jordan. Had Vail heard him, he would have chewed him out for it.

I was hard enough on myself. When Jordan got on me, it was worse. However, I didn’t worry about losing my job. Vail had told me repeatedly he’d never let Jordan fire me. As much as Jordan liked to be in control, the reality was, Hartley and Vail could get Jordan to do pretty much whatever they wanted him to. It wasn’t the best way to have job security, but I wasn’t complaining, especially after the last incident I had guarding Vail.

“Yes, sir,” I replied.

“Sheldon, you’re going with him since Sylvan is going out as well. Apparently, I can’t say no to anyone.”

“You’re letting him leave?” I asked incredulously. I shouldn’t have. The look Jordan gave me could have burned my flesh. I pressed my lips together to keep from saying more.

“Last time I checked, he’s not a prisoner here. While I’d love for no one to leave this building who isn’t armed and trained, that’s not my reality. Sylvan wants to go to the goddamn farmers’ market with Vail. If my hair hadn’t already signaled the stress I have, it would now. They’re all going to put me in an early grave.”

“Oh!” Sheldon jumped up and ran out the door. We both waited, obviously confused by what was happening. He returned moments later with a couple of reusable shopping bags. “I got these from Colleen. We can bring them to hold our purchases.”