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“He’s doing better,” I say.

Brawley nods. “He seems to be. I think this time he is more concerned about you than himself, so he is bouncing back a bit better even though this one lasted longer. I heard what he said out there about Aaron.”

“He was trying to fix something, but it couldn’t be solved that way.”

“He always knows afterward, and that’s the part he hates.”

“I think I might make sure he is actually in bed and hasn’t gotten distracted.”

Brawley nods. “I’m glad you came back.”

“Me too.”

When I get upstairs, I see Vero tucked up, cocooned in his blanket, so I sit on the edge of the bed. He asks me to tell him something good, so I share with him the time I was fifteen and snuck a dog into my house. I wanted a pet so badly, but I hadn’t thought it through. My mom is allergic to pet hair and started sneezing. She blamed my father until they found out there was a dog in my room.

Vero falls asleep quickly, and once he is out, I leave to let him rest. Instead of going back downstairs, I slip into my room and lie on the bed. I stare at the ceiling fan and wait for the anxiety to come at knowing the police are looking for Aaron and having to face what Brawley and Clay did.

Yet nothing comes. I actually believe Ares when he says he will handle it.

What hits me is an overwhelming sense of peace at knowing Aaron will never hurt me again. That I have these men at my back no matter what I do, even if they don’t agree with me. I never have to worry about looking over my shoulder or change who I am. It is something I never thought I would have in a relationship with one man, let alone four. I don’t know what I did to deserve them, but I don’t plan on ever letting them go.

I laugh quietly. Maybe I am just as crazy as they are.

Chapter Ten

Clay

Last week, after the police showed up at The Pitt, I put security at the front gate, on the near side of the bridge, to intercept them if they come here. We do not need cops sniffing around. We protect our family, and here on Fear Island we are one big family.

My phone rings and Becker’s name pops onto the screen. “Two cops are here,” he says.

“Names.”

He gives me their names, and I type them into my program. Both their faces pop up, one a senior investigator.

“Did they say anything?”

“They are investigating a person who was reported missing,” Becker says.

“Thanks, I will meet them at the gate.” I end the call and radio Khodi. “Do not let anyone in the front gate. I’m on my way.”

“Copy that, boss.”

By the time I get to the gate, both officers are waiting. The senior detective looks to be in his mid-forties and has a “don’t fuck with me” stance, while the other is younger, probably around my age. I step through the gate to greet them.

“Gentlemen.”

The older one shows me his badge. “Detective Marsh. We are hoping to speak to someone regarding an employee who worked here—Luca.”

“I’m the head of security, so I can help you with that. Please come with me.”

I walk them to the security room, avoiding all the main areas. I do not need anyone freaking out that the police are here and causing panic. Once inside my office, I offer them the seats facing my desk and take the chair behind it, facing my computer. The young officer sits, but Marsh remains standing.

“Luca resigned,” I say as I bring up his profile. “It says here he left for personal reasons.”

“Did that seem unusual to you?” Marsh asks.

“As you can imagine, we have a high turnover of staff here.”