Page 27 of Vengeful Guard

“Learned how in kindergarten,” I say dryly, and Paige snorts out another giggle before heading to outside.

I offer to take her there when I see she’s walking, but she refuses, so I follow her, ready to step in if anyone tries messing with her.

Turns out she wasn’t lying, and her friend does live just down the street.

I park in front of her place and watch as Paige walks into her friend’s place, her ass dancing as she goes.

Feck.

Stop that, Kael.

This is going to be the longest, and hardest, mission of my life.

8

PAIGE

Never in a million years would I imagine that Kael and I have something in common. And to think that what we have in common is our reading preferences? My mind is blown.

I knock on Sophie’s door and wait for a few seconds before she opens it, a giant grin on her face.

“Paige!”

I hug my best friend. “Hi, Soph. Ready to get this party started?”

We laugh as we go inside, closing the door behind us. Just before the door shuts, my eyes fall on Kael sitting in his car, book in hand, the look of concentration a sight to behold.

I’m glad to have the door between us. I can’t be wanting to look at Kael, can I?

We go into the kitchen.

“I saw you brought your guard dog with you.”

I groan. “Apparently, I’m back to being three years old again and can’t even come to your house without my babysitter following me around.”

“Oh, come on, it’s not that bad. Besides, at least you’re definitely safe.”

I sit heavily on one of the island seats, huffing.

“Am I? If he doesn’t even like me and ignores me half the time, makes fun of me the other half of the time, how strongly will he want to protect me? Because I sure as hell wouldn’t jump in front of a bullet for him.”

She’s busy getting glasses from the cabinet. “When did he make fun of you? Last I heard, he wouldn’t even look your way, let alone talk to you.”

She whirls, two glasses in her hand. “Wait. Do I have to go outside and kick his ass?”

I giggle. “I’d pay to see that.”

“Well…” She frowns. “Do I?”

“No, you don’t. But it is getting old how he keeps calling me princess, as if that’s a bad word, you know?”

Her eyes widen. “He calls you princess?”

I let my head fall over my arms on top of the island counter as I groan.

“He enjoys taunting me.”

A glass hits the island countertop next to my head. “Here, looks like you need this.”

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