Page 63 of Javier

“I understand, American.” Pierre flashed a conspiratorial smile. “I have a beautiful sister, too. No worries. Your sister is safe with us. We’ll take good care of her.”

“You will do no such thing,” Javier snapped.

“Because I take care of myself,” I clarified for all blockheads to hear.

“Of course,ma chérie,” Gerard agreed. “What an insensitive thing for Pierre to say.”

Javier took my elbow. “I need to have a word with you.”

“Sure thing,brother.” I shook off his hold and turned to my new friends. “You guys enjoy your ATV adventure. I want to hear all about it.”

“Very well, my sweet friend.” Gerard leaned in and gave me a kiss on both cheeks.

“Au revoir, mon amie.” Pierre also gave me a double kiss. “See you tonight.”

As soon as the men disappeared, Javier faced off with me. “What the hell?”

“What?” I asked, unable to understand why he was so mad at me.

“I’mnotyour brother.”

“Well, what did you want me to say?” I shrugged, not a little astonished at his reaction. “Boyfriend? Husband? Bodyguard?”

“Anything other than brother.”

“I didn’t want to risk insulting you.”

He drew his eyebrows together. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Nothing.” What was the point of rehashing last night’s argument? “It’s too late to change our story now.”

“We’re in the fucking honeymoon suite,” he bit out.

“They didn’t ask for my room number.” What on earth was going on in this man’s head? “If they do, I’ll tell them it wasthe only room available.”

“Wait.” A ferocious frown furrowed his forehead as he narrowed his eyes on me. “You look different. What did you do to your hair?”

“I gave myself bangs.” I fingered them, feeling a little self-conscious. “Do you like them?” I caught myself right away. “Never mind.Ilike them. That’s what matters.”

“Well, I happen to like them, too,” he stated, as if it should somehow matter to me, especially as his next words cranked up my annoyance. “What did the asshat mean when he said they’d see you tonight?”

“They invited me for dinner and drinks.”

A muscle feathered on his jaw.

“Javi?” I raised my eyebrows and whipped up my chin.

“Fine,” he retorted, as if I needed his permission. “But we need to be careful.”

“Of course,” I agreed wholeheartedly. “According to Kai, all the guests here have been cleared. So, it’s not like I’m taking any risks. I told them my name was Miranda. I won’t allow them to take any pictures of me and Pedro is with me at all times.” I smiled and waved at my friendly bodyguard, who waved back. “Now, why are you here, irritating me with a bad attitude I don’t deserve from you?”

“Pedro texted me.” His Adam’s apple bounced on his muscular throat. “He said those men were getting frisky with you.”

I gaped. “Frisky?”

“Handsy, you know?” He motioned his fingers over my body. “Grabby. As in putting their hands all over you?”

“Pedro must have a very conservative definition of frisky.”

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