Page 12 of Trust My Bodyguard

“We’re doing this for Iris,” he says, “so we all have to get along somehow.”

Iris. I turn to see my sister’s eyes on me. She looks both shocked and sad.

I messed up. But I won’t give Brody the satisfaction of seeing me sorry. It’s not him I owe an apology to anyway, it’s Iris.

I tip my chin up and pretend I’m unaffected. “Fine. Let’s talk.

The men take their seats. I don’t miss Brody’s eyes flicking to me with a heavy dose of suspicion.Right back at ya, buddy.

“This is what happened,” Callum begins and goes on to explain the harrowing couple weeks Iris and I have endured between the online threats and the home invasion. He breaks it down, putting it in his police terms, making it sound graver than it already is. “They couldn’t remain at their home so I set them uptemporarily in a hotel last night. I made sure to watch everyone going in and out so no one suspicious would get to Iris.”

Iris and I share a look. He didn’t tell us that he did that.

“Before sunrise, we started the drive to Pine Peaks. I made sure I wasn’t followed the entire way. I brought them here because I know you’re great at what you do and you’ll be able to keep them safe.”

Brody looks from Callum to me and Iris. Why do his eyes linger on me for a second? And why does his scowl deepen?

He sighs and rubs his forehead.

“You can do this, right?” Callum asks.

“I can.” His jaw flexes. “But the decision is not mine to make alone. We’ve started but not everything is in place yet.”

“Wait, you’ve never protected someone before?” My eyebrows go up.

His eyes snap to me. “Not in your fancy cities, I haven’t. But check in with the families in the villages overrun by terrorists and they’ll ask you why you’re so intent on doubting me.”

I bite my tongue. We’re trying to get him to help us. I can’t be too eager to point out his flaws. Men and their big egos hate that. And ex-military? The giant chip on his shoulder could block out the sun.

“So, what do you say?” Callum asks. “Will you take them on?”

“I have to speak to Nick and Zane...”

I slap my hands on my knees, sighing heavily. “I knew this was a waste the moment we walked in. It’s really simple, Brody. Yes or no. Are you going to help us or not?”

His body tenses as he readies to lay into me.

“We accept.” Iris raises her voice for the first time since Brody came in.

We all spin her way.

She speaks again, sounding softer. “We accept your terms.” She apologizes to me with tender eyes. “Speak to who you have to. We will wait.”

“Thank you,” Brody says to Iris but his eyes are fixed on me. “At least someone knows how to communicate without starting a fight.”

I press my lips together and refuse him the satisfaction of drawing an argument out of me. I’ll bide my time, gathering all my ammunition to use against him later.

That is, if he and his team agree to work with us after my outburst. I hope I haven’t ruined a chance to secure Iris’s safety.

CHAPTER FIVE

Brody

I shut the bedroom door behind me and draw in a calming breath.

Of all the people Callum could refer to me, he brought the sassiest woman to ever walk the planet. Ivy Ross. What an infuriating woman. The long, dark brown waves paired with dark green eyes that draw you in and keep you staring is a clever disguise. That stunning exterior hides a lioness within that’d eat you up, no crumbs left.

My first instinct was to reject them as clients. The guys would never know about it. And we can work on finding actual clients that respect what we do. I just can’t see how I could coexist with her and not blow my brains out. But protocol must be followed. I have no doubt the guys would reject them after they hear what went down. Unfortunately for Callum and Iris, they have that spitfire ruining their show.

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