“What’s your question?”

“You said Dad just drives for you, so that means there are other things guardians do that he doesn’t?”

“Very perceptive. You are correct,” Bennett said, nodding. “Mostly, as the title would suggest, guardians provide those like me with security or protection. They help run our businesses and keep our homes in order, and at times provide us with…”

Fallon waited for a moment, and Bennett’s darkened expression wasn’t lost on her. “With what?”

Bennett suddenly found it impossible to look Fallon in the eye. “Let’s just say they help us with other things and leave it at that.”

“But—”

“No, buts, Fallon. I’ve done my best to answer your questions, but it’s late, and your parents have looked out the drapes a dozen times. The boys are no doubt in bed, so it’s time for you to go inside and talk to your Mom and Dad, and Kenna. It’s time to be honest with them, just like you’ve been with me.”

“Will you stay?”

“I’ll stay for as long as it takes. How’s that?”

“It could be a while.”

Bennett grinned. “Only if you keep stalling.”

***

Ruby climbed out of her car, pressed the button on her remote, and as she reached the sidewalk, she noticed a black sedan stopped at the curb outside the front door of the building. Unlike some places she had lived, the street lighting around the brownstone was brighter than most, so Ruby crept along until she saw Bennett Archer step out of the BMW.

Having memorized the woman’s schedule, Ruby kept her eyes on Bennett as she continued to the front stoop. From Tuesday through Saturday, Bennett had a schedule that, as far as Ruby could tell, never wavered, but this was the first time Ruby had ever seen her out on a Sunday night.

Ruby continued on, keeping a covert eye on Bennett, who remained hunched over at the passenger window talking to the driver. Ruby pretended to fumble for her keys in her purse when she reached the top step until she heard the car pull away. She unlocked the door as footsteps approached and turned to the woman now standing directly behind her. “Hi there. Fancy meeting you here.”

Bennett’s mouth thinned. “I live here.”

“I know, but we usually only run into each other when I’m coming home from work, and you’re leaving.”

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

Ruby was resolute. She was determined to get to know Bennett Archer, and she was determined to keep her smile in place, the latter being the problem. Now standing on the same level as Ruby, the woman used her height to her advantage, and glaring down her nose at Ruby, anger flickered in Bennett’s eyes.

“Well, I did. So there,” Ruby said with a laugh, hoping to ease the tension.