Double Bossed

by K. L. Ramsey

  “Did that work for you the last time?” Jarrod asked. He knew he sounded like a complete ass but he didn’t care. If they couldn’t convince Airiana to let them protect her and Milo, she’d be a sitting duck once they got home.

  “No,” she spat. “It didn’t. But I’m older and wiser now. I won’t let Cole hurt me again and there is no way I would ever let him hurt my baby,” Airiana insisted. “How could you think that of me, Jarrod?” God, he hated she believed he could so easily hurt her. That would be the very last thing he would ever want to do.

  “I know that, baby but you might not have a choice in the matter. I’m assuming he’s bigger than you? What if he overpowers you and hurts Milo or worse, takes him?” The sob that escaped Airiana’s chest nearly gutted him. Jarrod seemed to be fucking the whole thing up and saying all the wrong words.

  “I’m sorry, honey,” Justin soothed. “My brother is being an ass.” Justin shot him an accusatory look, telling him to let him handle things. But Jarrod didn’t want to sit back and let his brother clean up his fucking mess.

  “He’s right, baby and I am sorry. You have to remember this is all new for both of us. We’ve never been in a relationship with a woman we shared. We are trying to figure this all out as we go and I’m afraid I’m making a mess of everything.” Jarrod tried to leave the sofa but Airiana stopped him, pulling his arm back to make him stay.

  “No,” she whispered. “Please don’t,” she begged. “I’m the one who should be sorry. You were just trying to help. You both were and I was just lashing out. I’m worried he will find a way to make good on his threats and that thought scares the hell out of me. I can’t lose my son—Milo is my whole world.” Airiana covered her face with her hands again, letting the sobs rack her body. Jarrod pulled her small, shaking body into his own, not quite knowing what to say next. The three of them sat like that for what felt like an eternity until he finally knew what to do.

  “Move in with us,” he whispered.

  “What?” she asked. He wasn’t sure if she heard him or if she was questioning his sanity at asking her to move in with he and Justin after only being together for less than a day.

  “He asked you to move in with us, honey,” Justin offered. “You and Milo could move into our place. We have plenty of room and you would be safe with us.”

  Jarrod loved how his brother was on board with his crazy plan. He had just made a huge decision that would effectively change Justin’s life but he took it all in stride, even seeming to like the whole idea.

  “We couldn’t,” Airiana gasped.

  “Sure you could,” Jarrod countered. He knew their conversation could go around in circles all night and get them nowhere. “How about we do a trial run? You and Milo move in with us and if it doesn’t work out, Justin and I will help you find someplace safe to live. Just until your ex can be stopped.” He sounded like he was begging but he didn’t give a fuck. Jarrod needed her and Milo safe and if he had to beg to do it, he would.

  “Fine,” she finally agreed.

  Jarrod wasn’t sure what he and Justin had just gotten themselves into but a part of him felt as though they had just won the lottery and their pretty assistant was their prize.

  Airiana

  Airi wasn’t sure if it was the right time to tell them she had convinced her brother-in-law, Holden Kade, to bring Milo to Colorado or not. She planned on telling them as soon as they got back to the cabin but she wasn’t sure the guys would be very happy about having to share her time with her son. She had played the conversation over in her head, during their short trip from the office to the cabin, but she was being a coward. There was no way she’d leave Milo anywhere near Cole. Holden worked for Grayson Industries and he was going to have to make the trip to Colorado in a few days, anyway. She was just asking him to fly out a little early and bring her baby with him. She completely trusted Ivy and the guys to keep her son safe. Still, she wanted him near, just in case, and now Airi was being a chicken about telling the guys about their soon to be tiny visitor.

  “Um,” she squeaked. Airi realized her son and Holden would be in Colorado the next day and not telling them might cost her their trust. “I have a little confession to make.” Jarrod and Justin both stopped what they were doing to give her their full attention and she almost wished that wasn’t the case.

  “You can tell us anything, baby,” Jarrod prompted, wrapping his arms around her body. She was starting to get used to them touching her and calling her little pet names but every time they did, her heart still raced like a teenage girl’s. She wondered if she would ever get enough of either of them.

  “Baby, I can see the hesitation on your face; you need to just tell us,” Jarrod insisted.

  “You’re starting to worry us, Airi,” Justin agreed.

  Airi sighed against Jarrod, knowing they were right, she just needed to tell them. “Milo is on his way here,” she all but whispered. “Holden is bringing him out tomorrow when he comes for his meetings. Please don’t be angry with me,” she begged. The last thing she wanted was for either of them to be angry for going behind their backs to make arrangements with her sister and Holden to get Milo to Colorado. As soon as Ivy texted her telling her about Cole showing up at Manholes, she ran out of the conference room to call her sister. When she realized her son was in danger, she asked to talk to Holden. She knew Milo was one lucky kid to have an aunt and uncles who loved him so much but Airi wanted him close. Holden agreed to travel to Colorado with Milo in tow, since he already had business to attend there. Her only other option would have been to cut her trip short with Jarrod and Justin, to head back to her son and that was something she wasn’t ready to do.

  Airi wanted to soak up every minute with the guys. A part of her was worried that as soon as they all got back to town, the fantasy world they had been living in would disappear and she would go back to her lonely nights of wanting them both but not having either of them. Now that they had asked her to move in with them, a part of her was hopeful it wouldn’t be the case. She worried they were rushing things, moving her and Milo into their place but she had to admit she was grateful. She knew raising Milo over a bar wasn’t a good plan but she was grateful for a place to live and at the time, it was all she could afford. Maybe she’d be able to save up some money living with the guys and if things didn’t work out she’d be able to get a place of her own. Either way, she was thankful she wouldn’t have to face the new threat of her ex snooping around, causing trouble, alone.

  “Airiana,” Jarrod said. “Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”

  “I arranged everything while you finished your meeting. I wasn’t sure how you would react, so I didn’t tell you at first. But, I’m telling you now,” she whispered.

  Justin crossed the bedroom to sit next to her on the end of the bed and took her hand into his. She loved the way they were constantly touching her, seeming to crave the same connection she needed. “Well, I think it’s a great idea, honey,” Justin said. “What time will Holden and Milo get here?”

  “Tomorrow evening,” she said. Airi looked over to where Jarrod was watching her and she worried he wouldn’t be as accepting of her son joining them.

  “Again, if this isn’t what you signed up for Jarrod, just say the word and I’ll find us another place to stay. Heck, I’d even understand if you’d like to rescind your invitation for Milo and me to move in with you.” She hated thinking about finally having everything she wanted and dreamed of for so long, only to have it all taken away from her.

  Jarrod sat on the bed next to her, putting her in the middle of the two of them, the bed dipping with his weight. It felt so right to be between them, as if she was made to fit there. Her heart felt as though it might just beat out of her chest but she couldn’t let it stop her from being brave enough to face Jarrod down. She knew he might tell her he had changed his mind but she wouldn’t take the coward’s way out and not face him full on while he told her.

  “I haven’t changed my mind,” Jarrod gro
wled. “I don’t think I ever will, if we’re being honest here, baby.”

  Airi nodded, “Yes, please,” she whispered. “I only want your honesty, Jarrod.” She could deal with just about anything, as long as she knew exactly where they stood.

  “Okay well, if I’m being honest Airiana, I’ve wanted you for months now.” She didn’t hide her surprise at his admission.

  “But in the office last week, you said you didn’t want me. I know I changed your mind on the plane but all this time?” Airi questioned.

  “Yeah,” he admitted. “All this time. Hell, since the first time we met, really.” Jarrod shot Justin a look and she knew they were doing the whole silent communication thing they did. “I have a feeling my brother felt the same way, baby.”

  Airi looked over to Justin and could see Jarrod was right. She could always tell what Justin was thinking, just from his expressions. Every time he brought her lunch or took her out for a quick bite, she could see on Justin’s face it meant something to him. He’d never admit it at the time and she would never push for fear of scaring him off or worse, having him flat out deny his feelings for her. It was easier to pretend she had feelings for either of them and a whole lot less messy to deal with a platonic relationship at work.

  “I do,” Justin said. “I feel the same way as Jarrod. I’m pretty sure you knew that though, honey. Hell, I spent all of my free time at work trying to find some lame excuse to see you or spend some time with you.”

  “I kind of figured, Justin,” she teased. Her relationship with him was so different than her relationship with Jarrod. Up until the last twenty-four hours, she was sure Jarrod didn’t want anything to do with her outside of work.

  “I know I said I didn’t want you but I was being a fucking coward,” Jarrod admitted. “I wanted you so fucking much but I could see that Justin felt the same way and I worried about hurting him. I never let myself imagine you would want both of us this way. I’m so sorry I hurt you, Airiana. I hurt both of you by denying my own feelings and I could have fucked up everything.” Airi wrapped her arms around Jarrod’s neck, needing to touch him.

  “Oh, Jarrod,” she whispered. “So, you’re okay with Milo coming?” His chuckle told her all she needed.

  “Yep,” he admitted. “In fact I’m happy Justin and I will get to spend some time with him. The daycare workers don’t seem to trust me with Milo. They watch me like a hawk every time I go up there.”

  Airi giggled, “Well, they are the best and they are just doing their job to protect my little boy,” she said.

  “I’m happy he’s going to be here,” Justin agreed. “It will give us both time to get to know Milo before he’s just thrown into our crazy lives. I know moving in with us isn’t going to be easy for either of you, Airi. But, I hope you give Jarrod and me a chance.”

  Airi worried once they got to spend a full day with her son, they might change their minds about having the two of them move into their place. She was going to have to resign herself to being alright with living each day one at a time. Airi would drive herself crazy if she tried to figure out what was happening between the three of them. One day at a time would be easier to figure out and so much tidier than jumping in with both feet.

  Justin

  Justin and Jarrod spent most of the next day in meetings trying to put out fires, while Airi multitasked getting ready for Milo and helping the them both at work. He could see she was frazzled but he knew better than to try to stop her from doing everything. He knew his girl enough to know when she was worried about something, she tried to take on the world. Justin just wished she would let them help her more but getting her to agree to be theirs and even move in with them, was a huge step for her and an even bigger one for his brother. Although, Jarrod was taking everything in stride and even seemed excited about Milo’s visit.

  They spent the night wrapped up in Airi’s body, and when they finally fell into bed, they slept tangled up together. Justin worried it wouldn’t work; they wouldn’t like spending so much time with each other but he was wrong. Airi seemed to be the perfect middle, the buffer they both needed between the two of them. It was as if she was made to fit between them and the thought of someone trying to hurt her or Milo drove him crazy. He woke up that morning knowing he was going to have to do some more snooping. Justin could tell his and Jarrod’s initial background check on Airi pissed her off but he had no choice now. He needed all the information he could dig up on Cole Summers and if Airi got upset with him for snooping, he could live with that.

  Jarrod attended their first morning meeting so Justin could steal away to contact their security team back home. He wanted to get the team started researching Airi’s ex. There would be no way he or Jarrod would take Airi and Milo back home knowing Cole Summers was a threat. He was hoping to find the guy and have his team take care of him before they returned home. They would have a little conversation with him and if he wouldn’t listen to reason, they would have to come up with plan B.

  “Hey,” Jarrod whispered, sneaking into their office. “Is Airiana here?”

  “No,” Justin said. “She ran back home to sign for the delivery of stuff I ordered for Milo. He’s going to need a crib and a few other things while he’s here,” Justin said, smiling at the thought of all the cute boy toys he purchased. He knew Milo wasn’t his but he was a pretty damn amazing kid.

  “I’m excited about him coming here too,” Jarrod admitted. “Did you find out anything about her ex?”

  “Not yet,” Justin said. “Airi’s going to be pissed when she finds out we hired another investigator to look into her ex.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Jarrod admitted. “My only care is keeping her and Milo safe. If that asshole wants to be back in her life, he’s going to have to go through me to do it.”

  “Me too,” Justin agreed. “There is no way I’m going to let that trash anywhere near her or Milo.” He knew they had no real claim to their assistant or her son but he didn’t give a fuck. He wanted Airi and as far as he was concerned, she was his—his and Jarrod’s.

  “You sure about all of this?” Justin asked. “I know you were worried about hurting me, going after Airi and taking what you wanted from her but that won’t happen. We want the same thing here, man.” Justin hoped his brother understood he meant every word. As far as he was concerned, sharing Airi was the best idea they had ever had.

  “I’m sure. I denied myself Airiana for too long. I won’t do that to her or you anymore. I want this and I’m sure.” Jarrod promised. “We just need a damn good plan to keep her and Milo safe because I won’t lose her now.” Justin had to agree with his brother. The thought of anyone getting close enough to hurt their girl or Milo made him half crazy.

  “I’ve scheduled a meeting with Holden after he and Milo get here, out at the cabin. I figured we could get the scoop on what happened back at home and Airi can get Milo settled.” Jarrod agreed and Justin was happy they were on the same page. Now, they just needed to make sure Airi understood she wasn’t going anywhere without either of them.

  Justin hated the worry he saw on Airi’s face while her brother-in-law recounted Cole Summers’s visit to the bar. Holden had showed up at the cabin with little Milo just after they got back from the office. Apparently, the asshole had the nerve to storm into Manholes, the bar where Ivy worked and Airi lived in her tiny apartment and demanded to see his son. Cole hadn’t asked to see Milo since Airi left him when she was about seven months pregnant. He had no interest in her or his son, so the question remained—why now?

  “Let me get this straight; Airiana’s ex just showed up at the bar and he demanded to see his kid?” Jarrod questioned.

  Holden sighed and nodded. “Yes,” he confirmed. “Thank God Ivy had the night off since she was home with Milo. Cash called me to let me know about him showing up at Manholes but when things got out of hand and Cash had to call the police in, Cole left before the cops showed up. They went by his place but according to his landlord Cole hasn’t been
living in his apartment for months. No one knows where he is and when he’ll just show up again is anyone’s guess.”

  The sob that escaped Airi’s chest nearly undid him. Justin pulled her onto his lap and Jarrod took Milo from her arms. “No, honey don’t cry. He’s not worth it,” Justin soothed, stroking his hand down her back.

  Holden eyed the three of them suspiciously and cleared his throat. “Ivy insisted I tell you that you and Milo will be moving in with us, once your business out here is finished. Also, since no one has any idea where this asshole is, I suggest you both increase your security around this place, just in case.” Holden said.

  “It’s already done,” Jarrod said. Justin could tell his brother was ready to tell Holden they had the situation in hand but he worried Jarrod wouldn’t be quite so congenial.

  Justin spoke up before Jarrod’s temper got the better of him. “We hired on extra security, just to be on the safe side this morning. We’ve also convinced Airi to move in with us once we are finished here. We have plenty of room for her and Milo and well, she has agreed.” Justin watched Holden, waiting for him to give any argument but judging from the silly grin on his face, he wasn’t about to give one.

  “Yes, I can see things have changed,” he teased, looking to where Justin held Airi on his lap.

  “What’s happening between Airi and us isn’t your business, Holden,” Jarrod said. Justin was sure Jarrod was overreacting but he would never tell his brother to back down when it came to his protective tendencies towards Airi and Milo.

  Holden held up his hands as if in defense. “I didn’t mean anything by my observation, Jarrod. We are friends here and Airi is my sister-in-law. Milo is my nephew and I would never want to hurt either of them. But, they are my business since they’re both my family. If Airi tells me they are moving in with you, then I whole heartedly approve it.”