Page 90 of Vengeful Guard

Gray and Lara arrive together, and Paige instantly goes to her sister’s side, whispering to her.

Is she telling her about what happened between us? Surely, not. She wouldn’t want Lara to blab to her father.

Or worse, to Declan.

I glance over at my best friend, feeling guilty for craving his baby sister, but Declan seems none the wiser.

He sips his drink, turning toward me. “How’s the babysitting going?”

“Fine.”

He snorts. “That doesn’t sound all that fine.”

“It’s challenging.” I shrug. “You know Paige.”

“Indeed, I do, which is why I hired you for the job instead of someone else. I think you can handle her.”

Oh, I handled her all right.

I clear my throat to push images of what happened between us out of my head. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

Days have gone by, and she’s been in her room, almost like she’s avoiding me.

I glance over at her, and she’s talking animatedly to Gray, now, her hands moving with her words. I can’t help but crack a smile at her bubbly personality.

Declan raises an eyebrow at me. “Seems like you two don’t hate each other as much as you used to.”

“I never hated her.”

Declan’s face goes blank, and I know what that means. I better explain myself and fast.

I shrug. “Didn’t care enough to hate her.”

His expression relaxes. Crisis averted. But I need to be more careful with both my words and my actions. Which is not easy.

I’m supposed to help provide security for the dinner, but as everyone huddles around the bar, all I can do is look at Paige.

I make my way over to her as everyone waits for Patrick, and as if she feels my presence, she shivers.

She turns to look at me, huffing out a breath. “Do you have to be everywhere I am?”

“It’s kind of my job,” I drawl, looking down into her deep green eyes.

“There’s like five other bodyguards here.” She waves her arms around to prove her point. “Pretty sure you don’t even have to be here.”

“Declan wants me to have eyes on you at all times.” I pause. “Besides, you didn’t seem to mind it when?—”

“Don’t you start.” She huffs. “That was a temporary lapse in judgment.”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help smiling. I have to admit that I enjoy this back and forth that we have, how she keeps pretending to hate me.

Declan calls me over for another drink, and I sigh when I look down at the whiskey and soda he ordered me.

“This is my last one. I’m supposed to be watching out for Paige and the rest of you, not getting sloppy drunk.”

He nods solemnly, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for us. For Paige.”

“Not doing it for her,” I mutter, willing myself to believe it. “I’m loyal to the Burkes. I’ll protect all of you as long as you need.”

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