Page 91 of Guardian Daddy

She felt Ethan step up beside her just as worry started filling her. What did Rhodes want?

Why didn’t he just tell her?

“What’s the matter? Has something happened? Has there been another threat?” Ethan asked sharply.

“Samantha was upset she couldn’t go to yoga and I pointed out that she could do an online class here. Somehow, that led her to believe that I don’t want her here. I’m not sure how, exactly.”

“I think it’s because you pointed out that this is my house, not hers,” Rhodes told her.

“But it is.”

Rhodes patted Samantha’s back. “Sammy, Cate didn’t mean to make you feel like you aren’t wanted.”

Cate glanced up at Ethan, at a loss.

He leaned in to speak quietly to her. “I think he wants you to tell Samantha that she is welcome here.”

“Oh. He wants me to lie?” she asked.

His lips twitched before he got them under control. “Hmm. But personally, I wouldn’t. I think this is all just an act.”

“But she’s not a very good actor.”

“Probably not a good idea to tell her that.”

“Oh, I thought she might have known, given the reviews of her last film. But perhaps she doesn’t read reviews. And maybe they were too harsh. It’s probably unfair of me to judge it on reviews. I should watch the movie myself.”

“I wouldn’t bother, it wasn’t that good,” he muttered.

“Are the two of you finished whispering?” Samantha said. “Some of us have busy lives. I really don’t think that Cate should get to monopolize so much of Ethan’s time when I am the one this stalker threatened.” She stared up at Rhodes, her lower lip popping out. “Don’t you want me protected?”

“Of course I do,” Rhodes replied. “But my sister needs protection too. And she has had this meeting on her calendar since Ethan arrived. She can’t just cancel a meeting, Samantha.”

“Well, then perhaps she should share her schedule so things can be better organized.”

Rhodes looked over at Cate. “That’s not a terrible idea. Do you mind?”

“I suppose I could tell you when my upcoming appointments are.”

“And where you’re going and when you’ll be back,” Samantha said quickly.

“Why would you need to know where she’s going?” Ethan asked. When Cate glanced up at him, his face looked as cold as granite. Emotionless.

“In case I need you to come back quickly, of course,” Samantha replied.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Ethan replied. “And just so you know, business meetings take precedence over yoga classes.”

Wow. She’d never seen someone’s face grow so red.

“I’m going to go have a swim.” Samantha turned and stomped off.

Rhodes sighed.

“Well, that went well,” Ethan said.

“I don’t think it did,” she replied. “She seems very upset.”

He hummed. “Fortunately, the world doesn’t revolve around her.”

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