The US marshal appeared genuinely regretful about the situation. His brows were drawn together and his gaze showed concern.
Kyle had been thinking about it. “My nephew has a scholarship and his education is a priority. I’m told by the legal team that the threat to him is considered to be minimal at this point. His mother will want to be close by but she also was hoping to give the young man space. It would be difficult to take all three of us and reestablish a plan for their life and his education.”
But not impossible. He would do it for them if he had to. And then there was finding Lizzy.
Diaz was watching him. Waiting.
“Mr. Diaz, I would like to explore some of the personal protection options you have available in further detail.” Because Kyle could trust Safeguard, Lizzy in particular. And they were driven by practicalities, logic and money. Kyle understood them. Whereas the government was a completely different animal.
“Drop by as soon as you’re ready, Mr. Yeun.” Diaz glanced around and then returned his attention to Kyle. “Your sister and nephew are currently at Safeguard’s Training and Recovery facility outside of the city. You’re welcome to come out to the facility and have dinner, see to their needs. Or if you’d like, we can bring them back here to any accommodations you had in mind.”
“I appreciate the offer, Mr. Diaz. I’m not certain if I’ll be entering protective custody again...” Kyle glanced at Nguyen. “...or if it is safe to return to my apartment. It’s a bachelor’s home but I’m sure we can make do.”
He hadn’t been expecting his sister and nephew so soon. Hadn’t made the more practical arrangements yet.
Sympathy was there in Diaz’s eyes. “Why don’t we take you to see them, Mr. Yeun? We’re planning to move them from the current location to accommodations more suited to an extended stay. The three of you can spend the night on Centurion Corporation grounds and make long-term arrangements tomorrow morning.”
Nguyen nodded in agreement. So much for protective custody. With his part in the trial over, that must be complete, as well.
Diaz was generous, but Kyle was a businessman first and foremost. No offer was without its hidden assumptions. “Thank you, Mr. Diaz. I am grateful to you and your team for the exemplary services provided thus far. But to be brutally honest, I no longer have employment. While I have significant savings set aside and I was willing to sign a contract with your organization to get me through this trial, I will need to take the time to assess my finances and seek out a new position before I know what further services I can afford.”
“Understandable. I think if you do come back with me to the Centurion Corporation facilities, I may have a few ideas to discuss with you regarding those concerns too.” The man leaned forward slightly, enough to make Kyle eye him warily. “All professional considerations aside, my partner has extended the invitation for you and your family to join the Centurions for dinner. She intends to ask you where you found the pair of shoes you bought for Lizzy. I’ve been informed I’m not allowed to come home without you. Please consider it a personal favor.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Isn’t it early to be drinking?” Lizzy studied the pair of glasses on the small table in Diaz’s office. They were new, she thought. Like brandy snifters but slightly taller and narrower. A new bottle of Macallan single malt scotch stood next to them. “What’s the occasion? And is Harte here?”
Diaz wasn’t usually into the whisky, whether it was single malt or blended. He kept some on hand for when Harte was in town.
Chuckling, Diaz came around from his desk. “No. Not today. He’s due in soon though. This’ll be out again.”
“Okay,” she said slowly. “Is this out for me? Seems kind of fancy.”
She wasn’t picky about her drinks. Oh, she liked good cocktails if she was drinking but she wasn’t particular about what kind of vodka she was served when a cocktail called for vodka as long as it was decent.
“Not really.” Diaz nodded at her feet. “What about you? You’re dressed up kind of fancy. What’s the occasion?”
She was not going to blush in front of Diaz. Nope. “Nothing. I just wanted to wear the shoes.”
Because the black heels Kyle had chosen for her were her new favorites and she hadn’t gotten to wear them for long. Sure they’d been picked to pair with a cocktail dress, which she’d gone back to the hotel to retrieve, but the shoes went well with business casual too. The effect was a dressy business casual.
“What? Not used to me going for the dressy look once in a while?” She knew it was defensive body language but she allowed herself to cross her arms over her chest anyway.
Wouldn’t hurt for the guys around the office to start acknowledging she had a feminine side.
Diaz held up his hands, backing away from the topic.