Page 42 of Thrown Off Balance

“Yeah, we can go there after we meet with Uncle Mason.” Cody places his hand on my lower back and nudges me to the next storefront.

“I feel like I have my own security team,” I tease him as he holds the door open for me. I step past him and find Mason already waiting for us.

He motions for me to follow him and we go into a different room before a secret door opens and we enter a room full of computers. Maddox is sitting at one and Peck is at another. There are at least a dozen other desks, each with a minimum of three computer screens.

“Is this your Batcave?” I arch a brow.

“Basically.” Mason smirks. Sometimes I forget how handsome he is when he smiles. He always looks so serious, but he’s not.

“We’ve had eyes on Jude since you texted me last night, Cody.” Peck glances up from his computer and meets my gaze. “He’s been sitting outside of your apartment. He’s definitely waiting for you to come home.”

“We saw. We drove by last night and again a little over ninety minutes ago,” Cody says with so much tension filling his voice.

“Do you really think he’s that dangerous?” I nibble on my bottom lip as I watch the three Bennett Bradley Security men.

Maddox and Peck both glance at Mason before turning their attention back to me. They’re waiting for him to break the news, I know it.

“Yes,” Mason says simply. “The fact that he’s spent over sixteen hours outside of your apartment worries me. A normal person would’ve given up last night and gone home. When Cody texted us, I asked one of my guys to go watch him… I don’t like this behavior, Sloan. There’s no telling what could happen.”

“Your boss is his father, correct?” Maddox glances over at me before turning back towards his computer when I nod. “Have you been in contact with him?”

“I let him know I’d be working from home for the next two weeks. I messaged him earlier today to let him know I wouldn’t be working at all today since I couldn’t get my laptop from my apartment. He said not to worry about it and let him know if I need anything.”

“I think he knows what’s going on,” Peck whispers. “I have a feeling Jude has a history of being aggressive and stalking people. That’s why your boss said your job wasn’t in jeopardy. He knows none of this is on you and he doesn’t want to lose you as an employee.”

“So… What should I do?”

“I want your permission before I make our next move.” Mason meets my gaze and watches me carefully. “I want to confront your boss and inform him about Jude’s actions.”

“How is that going to help?”

“It might not do anything.” Mason shrugs. “I'm hoping he’ll call Jude and yell at him. I want to see how Jude reacts. I’ll let him know exactly how Jude’s been behaving and see how both of them respond. I have a feeling he’ll confront Jude and he’ll lose it.”

“Are you crazy? Why do you want him to lose it?” I scowl at Mason like he’s nuts.

“Because if he’s unhinged and makes a move to find you, Jax, or Cody, I’ll be able to have a reason for filing a restraining order and stepping in.” Mason folds his arms over his chest and smirks.

“What do you think he’s going to do?”

“First…”

“Alright, let’s go visit Sophia.” Cody places a gentle hand on my lower back and nods towards the secret entrance.

“Come this way.” Peck’s grinning from ear to ear as he goes over to a different door and pushes it open.

I gasp when the door opens into the kitchen of Mulberry Lane Bakery.

“Peck! What the heck!” Sophia frowns at him. “Where did this door come from?”

“Mason gave me permission to put a secret door between us and you.” He grins like a proud husband.

“Don’t you need my permission for that too?” She places her hand on her hip and glares at him.

“I wanted to surprise you, baby. I thought you’d be happy, especially with the twins on the way. I just wanted to be able to pop in here and check on you. Plus, if there was ever an issue, you girls could escape to Bennett Bradley Security.” His excitement fades until he almost looks disappointed.

“Oh, yeah? And where does this magical door lead to?” She tries to peek around Peck, but she can’t see.

“Into the secret lair.”