Page 118 of Protecting Mr. Fine

Tully’s eyes nearly bugged out. “Kindergarten? That’s not for years. We’re not…” He put his arm around Lellie’s little shoulders and looked at Dev. “We’re not sending her there for years, right? Not for many,manyyears.”

I felt the warm slide of a hand in mine as Bear took a seat next to me on one of the big sofas. The deep rumble of his laugh helped me release the last of the stress that was still gathered in my shoulders. Earlier this morning, Bear had received a formal apology from King Gerhard, along with an offer of an obscenely large amount of money as compensation for Bear’s troubles after everything that had happened with Kasper. Bear had politely refused the money. “I’d like you to donate it to the ‘Equality for Ventdestinians Now’ campaign,” he’d told the king without an ounce of hesitation.

“You know I can’t do that officially, Ryan,” the king had replied. After a pause, though, he’d added, “But I can promise you the donation will get there under a different name.”

This hadn’t been exactly what I wanted. I wanted things to change in Ventdestine, and I knew Bear did, too. Ultimately, though, I knew you couldn’t force something to change simply because you willed it—just look at what Kasper had attempted to do—and it wasmore important for the money to get to the organization that needed it so that change could happen soon.

I’d given Bear a nod, and he’d told the king, “And you’re okay with that?”

The king had sighed. “It’s a small price to pay for what you’ve been through. I had no idea about Kasper, or I would have stopped him. As much as I’ve wanted you back on the royal guard, I never wanted you or anyone you care about to feel threatened.”

Bear had let out a breath. “I appreciate that, Your Highness.”

When the call had ended, I hadn’t been able to help myself. “Why didn’t you take the money? You could have quit your job!”

Bear had shot me an uncharacteristically large grin. “Who says I didn’t already quit my job anyway? You may not know this, but I have a billionaire boyfriend.”

And now, it was finally over. Kasper had given us both formal apologies and seemingly sincere ones. The king had revoked Kasper’s passport for the foreseeable future and had assured us he wouldn’t bother us again. Since Kasper’s plan had centered around convincing Bear and Violet that Bear was ineffectual, and Kasper had never been motivated to physically harm Bear or me—he had no history of violence against anyone—I felt confident the threat was over.

And now, I had Bear all to myself.

“I’m torn,” I said, moving closer to him to snuggle against his side. There was a large fire in the fireplace, and the lights on the giant Christmas tree twinkled, reflecting off the large wall of windows behind it. Christmas music played softly from hidden speakers while our friends and family chatted and celebrated around us.

“Torn how?” Bear asked.

“On the one hand, I’m happy for you to start the sports program, but on the other, I want you to still be my close protection officer.”

Bear put his arm around me, pressing a kiss to the top of my head before moving me the way he wanted over his chest and shoulder.

“I’m still your close protection officer. I just don’t work for Violetanymore.”

It took me a moment to realize the point I was missing. “Once I’m not under contract with the label anymore, I’m in charge of my own security.”

He kissed my hair again. When he spoke, I could hear the grin in his voice. “Exactly. And as the man in charge of security at Fairytale Recording Studio, I’ve assigned myself the premier role.”

“How are you going to juggle the sports program with protecting me?” I asked, playing around with his fingers in the hand I held.

“Easy. You’re not leaving my side.”

Landry snorted from where he stood gazing out at the snow-covered landscape, nearly invisible under the cover of darkness. “Now you’ve got him, keep him barefoot and pregnant, Ryan. Atta boy.”

Bear’s chest rumbled with laughter. “Exactly.” He leaned down to whisper in my ear. “I’m hiring help. And we’re going to figure it out together, okay? That sound fine?”

I glanced up at him with a grin. “Fine. Super fine. In fact, way better thanfine.”

Bear leaned in to kiss me the way he always did when I said the provoking word.

Kenji spoke up from his spot at the kitchen table behind us, where he was working on his laptop, even though it was Christmas. “Don’t listen to Landry. He wouldn’t know anything about serious, committed relationships.”

Landry glanced at him in surprise. “What the fuck?”

Kenji shrugged. “It’s not a bad thing. You’re very fun. The world needs fun-loving people.”

“You can be fun-loving and committed at the same time,” Landry pointed out.

“I’m just saying long-term doesn’t seem to be your thing.”

“And it’s yours?” Landry snapped.

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