Page 92 of Vengeful Guard

“I’m no better than anyone else.” I take another sip of my drink to avoid saying the few choice words I want to let out.

My eyes find Paige as she talks to Gray about something, her hands moving as she speaks. She really talks with her hands, and it’s kind of cute.

“I think you’ve got the hots for her.”

“I think you’re a fecking idiot.”

He stands up straighter, puffing his chest out. “You wanna take this outside?”

I look him up and down coolly. “No. I want to stay here and do my job. I suggest you do the same.”

Then my eyes go back to Paige, and she’s looking back at me with an expressionless gaze. There’s something flashing in her green eyes, though, and I don’t know if it’s anger or lust or some combination of both.

We both know what happened between us, and how we have to keep it a secret for the rest of our lives. No one can ever find out.

She tears her gaze away, turning to her father.

After dinner is over, Gray stands up, giving his father and Declan a knowing look.

“We should take you girls home.” Declan stands up and wobbles a bit.

One of his men walks up behind him, chuckling. “I think I’ll drive.”

“Good idea.” Declan gives him a goofy grin, leaning down to kiss Bree’s cheek as she stands up.

She goes to the head of the table. “Thank you for dinner, Patrick.”

“Of course. I’m about to be a grandfather, wanted to celebrate you two and my new grandbaby.”

She smiles, leaning down to hug Patrick, and Gray and Lara also say their goodbyes. Thank God, John and Aiden leave with the group, and it’s just me and a few guys I don’t know very well waiting around to guard Patrick and Paige.

Patrick holds his hand out to Paige when she goes to get up. “Don’t go yet, a’stor. Wanted to see you. It feels like it’s been a dog’s ear.”

Paige smiles, moving to sit right next to her father, and he takes her hands in his.

I look away, feeling like I shouldn’t be part of this conversation, but I can’t help listening in.

“How have you been?”

“Good, Da. The nightmares are better with Kael around.”

I’m surprised that she admitted that to her father, of all people, but he just hums and continues speaking.

“I hate not having you at home.”

“I know, Da, but I’m safe. Kael keeps me safe.”

Hearing that makes my heart swell. I’m glad that’s what she feels around me.

“But I could keep you safe.” Patrick pats one of her hands. “I could keep you safe, and you could be at the house with me.”

“I like my freedom, Da,” she says gently. “That’s why I moved out in the first place.”

“But things are different now, Paige. You were hurt. They almost captured you.”

“I thought we didn’t talk about business at the dinner table.”

“Dinner’s over.”

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