Page 80 of Protecting Mr. Fine

Fairy tales happen, I reminded myself.Be brave enough to believe it.

“Zane? Are you listening?”

I snapped my eyes open and found Bear watching me closely. “Sorry. What was that?”

“I said, no touching anyone. If someone gets close, press the button on your watch. It will record a time stamp and buzz me.”

His face was serious, and I could tell he was in full-on grizzly mode. If I made light of his warning right now, I would not be rewarded with a smile. I would be growled at, and he’d only start the lecture again.

“Aren’t you going to be with me?” I asked.

“I’ll be in the room, but Lou is taking point so I can make sure the royal family and their security people have everything they need. I won’t be beside you the whole time. That’s why I need you to listen to me right now, okay?”

“Yeah, fine. I’m f?—”

Bear’s eyes darkened at the word, so I quickly corrected myself. “I mean, yes. I understand. This is the same protocol we’ve been doing all week.”

“But this is the first VIP event where people will be interacting with you,” he said in a way that made me think he’d said it already while I’d been lost in thought. “People will want to shake your hand. They will forget the no-touching rule and do it out of habit.”

“Right.” I nodded. “Okay.”

“You need to keep your hands in your pocket and shrug. Give them that cute, innocent look and say you’re not allowed to shake hands as part of your health protocol, to stop the spread of germs and keep you healthy for the tour. That’s the excuse we’re using. All of the VIPs have been briefed about it, but like I said, they’ll forget.” Bear rubbed at the back of his neck, a sure sign that he was more agitated than he let on. “Lou is more permissive than I am.”

I knew exactly what Bear wasn’t saying—that it was killing him to know he wouldn’t be hovering over me, ready to throw down at the slightest provocation. I didn’t like it, either, to be honest. But I hated seeing Bear so worried even more.

“Got it,” I assured him. Then I added, “I can hug people like Bodhi, though, right?” My voice trailed off as I saw the fierce look on his face.

“Bodhi is on the suspect list, Zane,” he snarled. “Fuck, no. No touching anyone,especiallyBodhi.”

I wasn’t sure if it was jealousy or fear for my well-being making his eyes so wild, but I couldn’t deny how good it made me feel.

“Can I touchyou?” I asked in a voice low enough not to be overheard by the driver and Boomer up front.

Bear’s eyes heated, but he stayed on task. “You stay within arm’sreach of me, Lou, Boomer, or Dennis. If you need to take a leak, one of us goes with you and clears the room first. You need to accept a gift or something, keep your hands in your pocket and nod at one of us to accept it on your behalf.”

I stifled a sigh. “These are mostly people we know. It’s an already vetted group. Can’t we just…?” I swallowed and looked out the window when I noticed his glare.

He was right. I knew that. I just didn’t want to look like a prima donna at this event.

“Do you know if the whole royal family is coming?”

His face finally softened. “Yes. Gerhard and Gisella are bringing the kids. They’re desperate to meet you.”

“I’m excited to meet them, too.” I leaned toward him. “Can I eat the food?” I asked as a way of breaking the ice further. “I’m kind of hungry.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes. You can eat the food. The security around the catering is plenty strict, thanks to the royal guard.”

I hadn’t thought of that. “With the royal family there, I’ll be doubly protected. Those are your people, right?”

“You’remy people. They’ll be busy protecting King Gerhard, not you.”

“You know what I mean. It’ll be a safe space. Even safer than usual. The safest.”

He moved his foot until it pressed against mine. “Please don’t let your guard down, Zane.”

Bear’s voice was less gruff, almost pleading.

There was nothing I could say to that but “Okay.”

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