“I’m sure,” Brandi said and smiled. “What exactly do you want me to do?” Brandi moved to the front of her desk and leaned against it. “I’m not good at acting like bait, and I wouldn’t ask my girls to do that.”

“That’s the last thing I want from you. I’m here to offer my protection, that’s all. If you hear from this bitch, then I want to know about it.” She reached for Brandi’s hand and smiled. “You know me better than to think I’d put you in danger, but Nicola Eaton is a dangerous woman. Someone like that might try to rebuild by taking a shortcut through an already successful business to get back on top.”

“I do know you, but that goes both ways. You know Wilson and I can be trusted with what all this is about.” Brandi sandwiched her hand between hers. “Did you talk to Sept about Nicola?”

“It’s not something I can share with Sept without her wearing her detective hat, so you’re going to have to trust me.” She stood, ready to go. No matter how good her intentions, she couldn’t force Brandi to take her help. “If you don’t want my help, that’s okay to say, but please be careful. Eaton, whose real name is Nicola Antakov, by the way, is an animal, and I don’t want you, your girls, or Wilson getting hurt.”

“I’m not turning you down, darling. And if you can’t talk about it, you can’t talk about it. I’m also not an idiot, so have as many of your guys over as you can spare. Just tell them no freebies.”

“That’s not going to be a problem, and don’t engage with this woman if she does come by. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” She stood and put her arm around Brandi.

“Do you honestly think she’d try to take me out?” Brandi asked, leaning against her.

“Think about who this woman is, and you’ll have your answer. If she has enough muscle, she’ll take you down to take what’s yours, and sleep the sleep of the innocent after she does.” She kissed the top of Brandi’s head and let her go.

“I’ll do whatever you want, but promise me you won’t let any harm come to my girls.”

“No harm is coming to you or anyone in your life, Brandi. I give you my word, but give me yours that you won’t do anything stupid. Wilson, don’t let her take any chances.”

“I try my best, but Brandi don’t take too much coddling.”

“This time, coddle away. It’s important that the only one in the unmarked grave that needs to be dug is Antakov and no one else.”

Chapter Eight