Page 9 of Guardian Daddy

“Just don’t try to touch her. She hates that. Or mess with her routine. All right?” Kevin laughed weakly.

“My men have been briefed,” Ink told him.

“Good, good. The other thing is, well, Rip will want you to protect her too. But she rarely goes anywhere, so she won’t need much. Rip is the main focus.”

“We know how to do our jobs,” Ink replied. “Even though we’re simple country folk.”

Ink stepped past Kevin and into the house. Ethan quickly followed him.

Yep. The house was definitely an illusion.

The entrance opened out into a huge great room with wooden beams and white walls. He stared out of the large accordion doors to the infinity pool and the view of the ocean beyond.

Now, that view was something he could get used to.

“Ink!”

Ethan turned as Rhodes Ripley strode into the room and hugged Ink close. “Man, it’s good to see you. It’s been too long.”

Ethan continued to look around the room as the two men greeted each other. Brody had already sat down and was pulling out his laptop while Seth kept close to Kevin.

So it was Ethan who first spotted her. He froze as he took her in.

Her photo didn’t do her justice.

Because she was stunning. Hair so pale it was almost white, blue eyes, pink, perfect lips.

Fuck.

Was it possible to fall for someone at first sight?

No. That was ridiculous, right?

He needed to get hold of himself. He was here to protect her.

Nothing more.

A small scar that ran through her upper lip. Which was just as well because otherwise she would have been too perfect to look at.

She wore a pair of black pants and a thick cowl neck sweater. Which was surprising when it was quite warm in here.

“Cate.” Ink walked over to the vision standing in the doorway.

A small smile flickered over her face as Ink reached her, whispering something to her.

She nodded and then moved over to Rhodes, who wrapped his arm around her.

“Let me introduce you guys to everyone,” Ink said. “This is Rhodes, or Rip and his sister, Cate. Rip and Cate, this is my tech guy, Brody. He’s only here for a couple of days to set up the cameras and security. Then he and I will leave you with Ethan and Seth.”

Brody glanced up briefly and waved before staring at his computer once more.

Ethan waited for Rhodes or Cate to show annoyance or discomfort at his anti-social behavior. But Rhodes just nodded, and Cate’s expression never changed.

“This is Seth Blue. One of your bodyguards.”

Seth grinned, rocking back on his heels. “Nice to meet you both. Rip, I’m a big fan. And darlin’, lovely to meet you too.”

Cate’s expression stayed even. Hmm. There weren’t many women who were immune to Seth’s charms.

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