Page 139 of South Beach Bodyguards

“Do you have a license? Have you had training?”

“Yes, of course.” The gun felt natural in my hand at my side. I had plenty of training at the range. It wasn’t like I walked around shooting it randomly.

I had only fired it once outside of the range.

The day before Max left.

“Can you believe this?” Alejandro asked Wester. “She’s hot and carrying. Should I be worried?”

“You should be terrified.” Wester grinned. “Hey, I’m all for it. You heard her. She’s a single lady. She should be able to protect herself.”

“How would you feel if I got a gun?” Olivia asked him.

He frowned. “Why would you need a gun? You’re a grad student in a low-risk lifestyle.”

Olivia looked at me, amused. “Do you hear how sexy my boyfriend makes me sound? I have a low-risk lifestyle.”

I had questions of curiosity about how they had met. I hadn’t liked her brother-in-law, Ricardo, the one and only time I had been to his house. He was a flirt and an arrogant one at that. He was the classic rich guy who thought because he had money he could get whatever he wanted at all times—including women. But there wasn’t really time to have a friendly conversation because I was convinced the creeper next door was sitting in a dark and empty apartment, listening to us. I wasn’t usually paranoid but this guy had me with permanent goose bumps up my spine.

“I thought I had a low-risk lifestyle,” I told her.

“That’s crap. You’re a body double,” Alejandro commented. “And why did you pull a gun again? Let’s get back to that.”

“Yes, let’s get back to that.” I gestured to the apartment next door. “Someone is over there. I heard footsteps.”

His eyebrows rose. “Then let’s go over there.”

I shook my head. “He’s not going to answer the door obviously. And I am no advocate of breaking and entering.”

Alejandro looked at me like I was insane. “Me either. I’m not looking for charges against me.”

I set the gun on the kitchen counter. “Okay, so what I’m going to do is leave here tonight and stay at Lola’s house. Then tomorrow I will have cameras installed outside and better locks put on the door.”

He nodded. “I’m going to figure out who rented the other half of this house. Where does Lola live? I can drive you there.”

He gave me a look, one that said he would not be dropping me off. He planned to stay with me and damn it, I wanted him to. My cheeks felt warm.

“Her house is in North Beach, off Alton.” I looked around and sighed. “This was not how I pictured this day ending. What a disappointment.”

“It hasn’t all been disappointing.”

Oh good Lord, did he have to be so obvious? His voice was filled with innuendo. “No, I suppose not,” I said wryly.

Then Alejandro looked disappointed. “Wait, is Lola home?”

“No. Her house is empty but she already said I could stay there. She gave me the code for the garage.”

He frowned but he didn’t say anything. I couldn’t interpret that look. Instead he turned to Olivia and Wester. “Sorry to interrupt your night. Thanks for coming out here, guys.”

“Hey, no problem, man. And I’m swiping your chicken.” Wester bent over the coffee table and grabbed a chicken leg. “Nice to meet you, Miranda.”

“Nice to meet you, too.” I smiled at Olivia. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”

She gave me a smile in return. “I’m off the hook for entertaining Wester now that you gave him chicken.”

“Wait, what?” Wester shook his head. “That is not how that works.”

We all laughed and said our goodbyes. I locked the door after they left and faced Alejandro in the chaos of the boxes and the take-out food. “Your friends are nice. I feel bad they came over here and the conclusion is basically get out for now.” I bit my lip. “Am I overreacting? Should I just stay here? I can sleep on the mattress on the floor and get this place together better tomorrow.”

---