Page 68 of The Bodyguard and the Bombshell

Her father’s face went red. “He told me he was going to marry you.”

“Uhm, do we really need a piece of paper?” Yes, her imp was out today.

“You do,” her father said, righteous indignation in his words. “You absolutely do.”

“Hey, stop teasing your father.” Her mom joined them, putting a hand on her father’s shoulder. “I’ve been around them all week. Trust me. They’ll be married far sooner than they should be, but when it’s right, it’s right.”

Her father’s gaze softened when he looked at her mom. He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. “Well, we married within three weeks of meeting each other, so I think it can work out. Have I told you how much I missed you?”

Her mom ordered a whiskey of her own. “No. You were too busy starting a cartel war that led to your best friend’s daughter nearly getting murdered and our own being forced to use all of her assets to save her.”

“Now, Avery, you can’t blame it on me,” her da countered. “First off, it worked. As of an hour ago, the man Daisy is supposed to testify against is dead. Shanked in prison because someone started a very good rumor about him turning on another cartel and exposing their crimes. What’s good for the goose and all. Brighton told us when we were explaining all the bodies. Kai’s pissed, by the way. We got blood on the concrete or something and it could be triggering to patients. I say it’s like immersion therapy.”

“That’s not a good therapeutic plan in the case of PTSD,” Daisy pointed out. “Oh, and I’m going back for my master’s in clinical psychology. I’m going to start a children’s practice at the Ferguson Clinic. I told Uncle Kai all about it.”

“No wonder he looked a little green,” her father said.

“I think it’s a wonderful plan.” Her mom held her glass up. “To our Daisy.”

“Hey, what the hell is happening?” Her brother was dressed hastily, his shirt not properly buttoned and…yes, it was inside out. “Gabe shows up at the club and tells me Devi got kidnapped and Daisy distracted the bad guys with her boobs and now everyone is dead, but you guys are drinking?”

Her poor brother. “Just another night for the O’Donnells.”

“Get my son a drink, Matt,” her father ordered. “And top me and my daughter off. Did I mention to you my sweet Daisy can drink anyone under the table?”

Aidan sank down beside her. “I have no idea what’s going on.”

“Daisy and I have agreed to be ourselves around each other from now on.” Her father picked up his now full glass again. “The bad guys are all dead. Your sister has a career path that has nothing to do with danger, and both my kids are getting married. Nate hasn’t formally asked yet, but he knows what happens if he doesn’t. So let’s have a toast, and then you two should stay away from the main stage unless you want to know how you were conceived.”

“I’m going to need more liquor,” her brother said.

Maybe her da was onto something. She lifted her glass. “I think we can stay a little delusional, Da.”

He grinned and winked her way. “To delusion.”

That was something she could drink to.

* * * *

Nate stared across the lounge where it looked like the whole O’Donnell family was now celebrating.

Damn, his woman was fine.

“You really think you can handle her, son?” His father stood beside him. The same way he’d been for as long as Nate could remember. Brody Carter might have missed the first couple of months of his life, but he’d more than made up for it.

“Of course he can.” His mom wrapped an arm around his waist. “He and Daisy are a perfect match. Just like her parents.”

He watched as Liam and Daisy managed to slap their shot glasses on the bar in time and drink in perfect synchronicity.

A terrible thought hit his brain.

“I’m the Avery, aren’t I?”

His father patted his shoulder and sighed. “Yes, son, I’m afraid you are definitely the Avery.”

“Hey,” his mom said. “That’s not such a bad thing to be. She’s all kinds of awesome.”

Nate threw his head back, laughter filling him. His woman was wild, and he would have to balance her. She looked over and smiled his way.

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