Page 16 of Don’t Fall For A Bodyguard

If only that were true.

CHAPTER 6

LENNIE

Our flight landed on time so I should’ve been happy. The sooner I got back home, the sooner I’d get back to my normal routine. Payton and I would get this divorce sorted, and that would be that.

But I was dreading this trip coming to an end. Dreading leaving Payton.

Maybe that’s why my mouth ran ahead of my brain on the plane. Had I really admitted all that stuff to him? Fuck, I longed for the days when I could barely make a sentence around him. Now he probably assumed I had a crush on him.

Well, you did tell him he was sexy. Twice.

We decided to split a ride from the airport. Given that my place was closer, I was being dropped off first. We could’ve taken separate cars, but I didn’t want to, and Payton didn’t seem to mind. Even though when I went to carry his luggage again, he refused. Stubborn man.

It was only a fifteen-minute drive from the airport to my two-story townhome in midtown. I loved the area and bought in five years ago. The neighborhood was safe, quiet, and close to downtown. Plus, I had a drivewayanda garage, rarities for this location.

As we pulled onto my street, however, I noticed a car parked in my driveway. A familiar red SUV that had my earlier panic reaching new heights.

“Oh shit. Whatever you do, don’t get out of the car. In fact, keep your head down,” I urged Payton.

“What? Why? What’s going on?” He asked me.

“My mother’s here. That’s her SUV parked in my driveway. Dio mio, what the hell is she doing here? Fucking hell, I’m in so much freaking trouble.”

Payton patted my leg. “She’s obviously worried about you. And so what if she sees me? She already knows we’re married. I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

I turned to him and shook my head. My mom was a force of nature any day, but when she was angry? Look the fuck out.

“You have no idea.”

The driver came to a stop, and I quickly stepped out of the car. To my utter shock, Payton did the same.

“What are you doing?” I hissed. “Get back inside. Go.”

“Leonardo Andrea.”

I nearly dropped my laptop case at the sound of my mom’s voice. Turning around, I found her and my dad standing in my doorway. Mom had her hands on her hips, her brown eyes boring into me. Dad stood behind her, shaking his head. Why did I ever think it was a good idea to give my parents my spare key? Panic and guilt hit me like a massive wave.

“Hey Ma, Dad,” I greeted them, my voice cracking. “What are you guys doing here?”

Then my younger sister Isabella stepped around my parents. The fuck? Was this an intervention or something?

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Rizzoli!” Payton announced and waved at my parents. “So nice to meet you in person.”

Oh, my God. I turned to Payton and motioned for him to get back in the car, but he ignored me, and beamed at my family with that incredible smile of his.

“You as well, Payton,” my mom replied with a hint of a smile. She stalked up to us, ignored me, and pulled Payton close. After she kissed him on both cheeks, Mom turned to glare at me. “Even though I’d rather have met youbeforethe wedding.”

“You know, Len,” Payton continued, reaching for my hand. “So impatient. He wanted me all to himself and he couldn’t wait.”

“I’m sure. And please call me Gulia,” my mom added. Then she turned and stared at me with sharp eyes. “But you know, this whole thing is strange. Lennie’s never brought a boyfriend to meet the family before. Then bam, just like that, he’s married. No hint, no warning at all.”

My mom was vibrating at this point, her voice getting louder, like a sonic boom.

“Speaking of married, there’s something I need to tell you—” I started.

Payton squeezed my hand. “Let’s talk inside. It’s been a long trip.”

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