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“Naturally,” Neo said at the same tione, his security consultant along with him

CHAPTER FOUR

CASS read the security report, her heart sinking further with each reco to be done in one day, or even two Despiteoffered with options that made them as unobtrusive to her current lifestyle as possible, they were far too extensive for a single-day i at the report, she had visions of work each and every room of her sanctuary, for a week at the least

She appreciated Cole’s efforts to keep the changes in the background, she really did Just as she was grateful he had brought the report personally, instead of sending a er as he told her he had done for Neo

However, no a on the part of the security expert could alter the fact that he was reco modifications to her home Not least of which was a state-of-the-art alaroverned everyand door in her house

Should she accidentally set the alarm off, a hundred-plus decibel noise would assault her ears and those of her neighbors Not only that, but the system would be hooked into his private security co Someone there would have access to duplicate keys to all her outdoor locks Even though Cole called the system typical in its implementation for residential security, Cass felt like it was all too cloak-and-dagger for words

Cole had also reco all of her doors and ith more secure models He wanted to install biometric locks as well She knew bioerprint scanners, which al, if a little redolent of science fiction She rade

But by far, the worst eleiven the least explanation, were those recommended for the outside of her home Cole wanted to cut back the lilac bushes her mother had planted the year Cass’s parents hadof the landscape changes he wanted tofor it If Neo’s privacy and safety were the reasons for the upgrades, Neo would simply have to have his lessons in the studio Which is what she told him when she called him a few moments later

“We have already discussed that option and I do not find it acceptable”

“Then we’ll have the lessons at your penthouse” Why hadn’t she thought of that before? “You’re planning to get a piano anyway It would be beneficial to have your lessons on the instrument you use for practice”

“What is the problen of impatience, which rather surprised her “I have looked at the report and I thought Cole Geary did a fair job ofthe impact of the ih of course he couldn’t see “For someone like you uard on the premises at all times”

“Sucks to be you” The words just slipped out, but she ine spending her days under constant observation

A surprised bark of laughter sounded “I’ve got to admit that is the very first time in my adult life that particular phrase has been directed atis that I can tell you h-profile business the first tiny cracks in the wall of anxiety that had been building since she had agreed to have the security consultant co you are just my friend, not , if not laughing outright

“I’rateful for that as well,” she said dryly

“I don’t know I can push too hard at times, but then so can he”

It amazed her how humble the tycoon could sound after all that he had accoet sidetracked by adh “I, on the other hand, may not be pushy, but I aht you were It takes determination to refuse the lucrative life of a concert perforer calls it bullheaded stubbornness”

“Naturally, the more money you make, the more he does”

“That’s one way to look at life”

“Are you saying you don’t think he does?”

“Honestly? I don’t know Whento Bob because he was someone familiar I assumed he had my best interests at heart, and mostly, I think he does”