Page 153 of Guardian Daddy

“The difference is that you’re his precious baby sister. Big brothers get irrational when you’re talking about their sisters. They don’t think straight. They just see some asshole who might break their sister’s heart.”

“But you won’t do that.”

“No, I’m not going to do that. But Rhodes doesn’t see it that way.” He picked up his phone and showed her the screen. “And I think the fact that he’s called me six times in as many minutes is proof that he’s freaking out and planning on taking the next flight out.”

“Right. I’ll talk to him. I’ll make it clear that you aren’t taking advantage of me. That what we have is real.”

He shook his head. “No, I’m going to talk to him.”

“Why? He’s my brother.”

“Because I won’t risk him upsetting you.”

“He won’t upset me. Rhoddy would never do anything to upset me.”

Ethan shook his head. “I’m not risking it.” He picked up his phone and hit the screen a couple of times. Then he started speaking to Ink.

Guilt filled her. Was he going to lose this job? Could he really afford to do without the money?

“Right. Yep. Sure. Thanks. Yeah, she’s here. She’s good. Seriously? No, you’re not talking to her.”

He ended the call.

“Ink wanted to talk to me?”

“Seems the big brother bug is catching,” he muttered.

“But Ink isn’t my big brother.”

“No, which means he doesn’t get to pull the protective card. He should know I wouldn’t take advantage of you.”

Yes, he should.

And why did everyone seem to think that she didn’t know her own mind? That she couldn’t protect herself?

She was starting to get a bit mad.

“Are you fired?”

“Not yet. He’s going to wait and talk to Rhodes, who must be calling him in between calling me.”

That didn’t seem to be a good sign.

“Hello, Rip.” Ethan paced back and forth as he seemed to listen to her brother on the other end of the phone. And she finally couldn’t stand it. Cate planted herself in front of him.

“Let me talk to him.”

Ethan stared down into her beautiful face.

“Baby,” he said.

“Did you just call my sister, baby?” Rhodes yelled through the phone.

No wonder he was such a sought-after actor, he was definitely a drama queen.

“Let me talk to him.” Cate held out her hand imperiously.

Yeah. That wasn’t happening.

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