Christ no. “I appreciate the thought, but that will never happen.” Thinking of West had me wanting to leave, to see him, hold him.

“Your mother and I would like to meet him before we go back.”

“He is healing.”

“In a week then.”

“I will see how he is then.”

He paused for a moment. “Your mother will take care with him when we do meet him.”

“I know.”

“I will also… behave.”

I snorted. “We will see when it happens.”

He gave me another slap to the shoulder. “Go. I can see you want to get back to him. See your mother on the way out, though.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “I will. Lock up when you leave.”

“Of course. Talk soon.”

Nodding, I picked up my glass and made my way inside, eager to leave. Yet, I was going with a new lightness inside me. I had not realized I needed that conversation, but I appreciated my parents more than I ever had.

Using the code Lucas had given me, I unlocked the door to the house and stepped through with my bag. It was quiet since it was only Lucas and West here. The others were obviously still at the compound.

“Are you going to let me through?” Dimitri asked.

“You do know I do not need you here.”

“I know, but I am your head of security and friend. I am not leaving you to deal with a bunch of bikers on your own.”

“I am capable.”

“That I also know. Maybe I will get bored without you. Maybe I will miss you.”

“Father had you go with me.”

“I shall be in the living room working.” He stalked off with his computer case over his shoulder.

I had been correct about my assumption. Papa was the only other person Dimitri would listen to. I knew Dimitri trusted the other men from the Diamond MC, but it was Papa who was wary, and to ease his concerns, I would have Dimitri at my back during the daylight hours.

There would be no reason to send Dimitri on his way. I did not care if he stayed around the house. It also meant that while I spent time with West, he would be close if any business problems arose.

Walking through the house, I rounded the corner to the hallway where our bedrooms lay and saw Lucas pacing outside West’s room. I dropped my bag to the floor and stalked toward him. When he saw me, he stopped and ran his hands together in front of him. His eyes were red.

“What is wrong?” I demanded and went to open the bedroom door. His hand on my arm stopped me.

“He’s not in a good mood.”

“What does this mean? Why does that stop me from going in? Why do you look worried?”