Page 16 of Trust My Bodyguard

An uncomfortable silence blankets the room as Brody leaves. Neither Callum nor Iris call me out on my behavior, but I know they’re both thinking it. I ruined our chances.

My nerves leave my stomach twisted. I can’t stay still. I leave my seat and pace around the space but it’s too small. I’m bumping into furniture and walls. I feel compressed.

Who knows what Brody is doing? He needs to discuss with his “team” my foot. Maybe he’s just standing outside and counting down the minutes until he turns us down. Then what?

I face-palm, then run my fingers through my hand-brushed bed hair. I should have tried to be a bit nicer. Maybe then Iris and I would have a chance of being accepted. Based on our interaction earlier, I’m ninety percent sure he will say no. Theten percent that makes him consider taking us on is because of his relationship with Callum.

“What are you doing?”

I spin away from the wall where I’m drumming my fingers. “What?”

Callum’s looking at me with a line between his brows. “Are you okay?”

I shake my head and exhale. “Feels like I’m suffocating in here.”

“You should take a walk. The resort has lovely grounds.”

I give him a tight-lipped smile to express my appreciation.

Iris is curled up into a ball on the couch with her feet tucked in. I touch her shoulder. “Wanna come with?”

She cracks open an eye. “No. I’m fine in here.”

It’s only when I step outside the room that the absurdity of the question dawns on me. Iris can’t go anywhere without being recognized. A nice walk could bring us to a fan who’d blow up her location.

My heart tightens for her. She doesn’t deserve this.

I look left and right and choose the direction of the lobby. It’s as busy as before with excited guests coming and going. Instead of braving the cold outside, I continue down the opposite hallway.

Some of the tension that kept me wound up falls away as I take a stroll through different hallways. The building is massive.Despite having a warm décor with earthly tones, it still feels airy and open. I stare up at the high ceiling with its intricate design.Wow.

“Are you lost?”

I come to a stop and look around, finding a gray-haired man standing behind me.

“No.” I’m technically not, even though I’ll have to do some mental gymnastics to find my way back after the turns I’ve taken.

“Just having a look around?” He has his hands in his pockets, stance wide and at ease. Something about him seems so open and welcoming.

People rarely come off that way. After dealing with social work cases, I’ve come to treat strangers with suspicion until they prove that they are harmless. This man exudes a calm that invites me to trust him immediately.

Which makes my guard go up.

“I am. Are you a guest here?” It’s best to take control of the interaction.

“Aren’t we all guests in a way?”

I frown. “Uh…”

A smile deepens the crow’s feet around his eyes. “Walk with me. I’ll give you the tour.”

I fall in next to the man. “Do you come here a lot?”

“Mm-hm.” He nods.

He leads the way, speaking gently even though his voice is deep and probably capable of great power. He doesn’t hurry me along or drown me out with explanations. The way he describes the building’s design fascinates me.

“Is it your design?” I ask.

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