Page 60 of The Bodyguard and the Bombshell

Hunter’s face fell. “Well, that’s rude.”

“You know what’s rude? Treating a woman like she’s a child in need of guidance, especially when she’s been through way more shit than you,” Daisy pointed out. “I’d like to see you handle some of the things I’ve been through. And Gabe…”

His lips curled up like he thought he’d won. “Yeah?”

“If you had wanted me, you would have been man enough to stand up to my father and my brother. I suspect one day you’ll meet the woman who inspires that kind of courage in you, and I’ll wish you both well. Now, I have a Dom, and we’ll be playing at The Hideout as soon as my da gets the drug cartel off my ass. You’ll be able to watch me and wonder what could have been because my player stage is done, boys. I found a man, and I’m sticking with him.”

A slow clap came from Daisy’s right, and she glanced over.

Her da was standing there with Nate and Nate’s dad. They took up so much space. She was going to have the biggest babies ever.

Lucas winced. “Hey, Uncle Li. Uhm, how’s it going?”

“Well, I’m thinking about how you’re going to cook with broken hands, son,” her da said with a chuckle. “Oh, don’t you worry. It won’t be me. My Daisy’s found a keeper. Do you need an introduction?”

Nate moved in beside her. “We’ve met. But perhaps I should make myself plain. She’s mine, and before someone asks how it’s different, I’ll explain it to you. Her da and brother were wrong to treat her like she couldn’t make a decision.”

“Well, in my defense, I did have to save her from a cult once,” her da said, but his eyes were warm on her.

“I thought it was a self-help group, but it turned out to be a sex cult,” Daisy admitted. “There’s a Netflix documentary coming out. I look good in it.”

“You do, me darling girl.” Her father nodded Nate’s way. “Continue, Nathan. You should explain what you’ll do to anyone who even looks your girl’s way.”

A big arm caught her around her waist and hauled her back against Nate’s chest. She felt him kiss the top of her head.

“They can look all they like,” Nate began.

She glanced her father’s way. “Da, Nate’s about to say sexy things.”

Her father winced and covered his ears. “Tell me when it’s over, Brody. Or at least when he gets to the threats of violence.”

Nate’s dad snorted. “I’ll be sure to let you know.”

If Nate was thrown off by the banter, he didn’t show it. “Like I said, I’ll show my gorgeous sub off in the club. I won’t get pissed if some guy does a double take as she walks by because she’s so beautiful, how could they help themselves? But I will take apart anyone who thinks to touch her. She’s mine. I’m giving her everything she needs, and honestly, I don’t think the three of you put together could handle her. Stamina. A man needs serious stamina to keep up with Daisy O’Donnell.”

Her father started to hum.

“You missed your shot with her and now she’s with me, and I’m not letting her go,” Nate explained, and his arm tightened around her. “So if you don’t like your insides on the outside, you’ll heed the one and only warning I’m going to give you. Otherwise, you’ll be a science project for these kiddos.”

“Like anatomy?” Rani asked, her eyes wide.

When had she snuck up? Daisy gently disentangled herself and got to one knee. “The guys are just playing around, sweetie.”

Rani shook her head. “No, I think your boyfriend is having a come to Jesus with the other guys who want to be your boyfriend. That’s what my mom would call it. She’s going to think this is funny.”

Gabe reached out a hand to Nate. “Message received, man.”

Nate shook it. “Just respect my rights and we’ll be fine.”

Daisy picked up Rani, who was starting to yawn. It was almost eleven o’clock, and it was definitely time to start getting these kiddos to bed.

Her da was here, and he wasn’t looking at her like he was ashamed.

“You can listen in now, Da. He’s threatened them all with evisceration,” she said.

Her da frowned and brought his hands down. “I wanted to hear that part.”

Lucas let out a long sigh. “Well, it was very threatening.”

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