Page 107 of Wilde Abandon

“Dean.He’s head of security.You’re one of his guys.”

He sighed.“Fox wanted someone to keep an eye on you.”

She pulled out her phone and called him.

“Hey, sweetheart, having fun?”

She gave her shadow a big shit-eating grin.“I’m about to since you sent me a drinking buddy.”

“What?”Concern filled his voice.

She dropped the smile.“You didn’t want me to be out here all alone, doing my thing, so you had me followed.”

“Melody, I…”

She shook her head, even though he couldn’t see her.“You two both lose your ability to speak when you get caught.”

He sighed.“I just need to know you’re safe.”

“You should have simply told me you wanted to send someone with me for security.”

“You said you didn’t need a babysitter.”

“But if you really wanted me to have one and it put you at ease, then yes, I would have allowed it.Not that I think it’s necessary.No one knows who the hell I am.”

“That’s not going to last long.Once people find out you’re my girlfriend, things will get…complicated.”

“Tell me about my new friend.”

“His name is Otis.Ex-marine.He’s very good at his job.”

“Which is?”

“Protection.Assessing threats.Keeping you safe.”

“And what has he reported to you?”

Otis’s eyes went wide for a second before he schooled his features and continued to scan the street around them.

“You’ve been to six bars.You didn’t like any of them.A couple you simply walked through and left.One you ordered lunch, but didn’t finish it.A couple others you ordered drinks but didn’t finish them.You’ve been hit on by no less than five guys.One waitress was really chatty with you because she loved your hair.So do I, by the way.”

Her jaw dropped as she gaped at Otis.“Seriously.You told him all of that.”

Otis shifted on his feet uncomfortably.“It’s my job.”

“If this is going to work,” she told both of them, “I get to tell Fox about my day.You can report any incidents or threats.”

Otis nodded.“Yes, ma’am.”

Fox agreed with, “I can live with that.So are you coming back to the office now?”

“Not yet.I haven’t found the place.”

“The last bar you went into will probably be out of business in the next week, since no one goes in because the place looks condemned on the outside.”

“Yeah, but the hand-carved wood bar inside is amazing.”

“Yet you didn’t stay.”

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