Page 18 of Trust My Bodyguard

Brody’s look sours instantly. I wonder if Cliff can see it or it’s just me. His gaze slashes between the older man and me, and then he sighs.

“That’s thoughtful of you, Cliff.” He turns to me with pursed lips, a muscle ticking in his jaw.

Whatever he wishes to say is very difficult for him. I fold my arms and pop out my hip, waiting for it. I’m certain it’ll bring me the utmost pleasure.

“Hawke, Everett, and Yates will take on your sister’s case.”

Relief swoops through me right before a ridiculous notion forms in my head. Laughter spills from my lips, surprising us all. I press a hand to my mouth to hold it back.

“What’s so funny?” Brody frowns.

The furious look on his face in addition to the silly idea makes my shoulders tremble harder. I almost can’t breathe.

“Why are you laughing?” he demands.

Beside him, Cliff has a small, curious smile on his lips. Brody is the only one so offended.

“Hey.”

“Hey, what?”

“HEY,” I repeat, hoping he gets it this time. I can’t just stop laughing.

He glances at Cliff and turns back to me, brows drawn down.

I might rupture a blood vessel before this man gets it, so I pull myself together. “Hawke, Everett, and Yates is abbreviated asHEY. Like a friendly hello when it’s a serious security firm.” I’m not ashamed to say that my next laugh is aba-ha-hakind.

Brody looks at me like I’m something the cat dragged in. “I’m going to get your sister.”

And then he stomps away while Cliff tells me that was a clever catch.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Brody

The sun has dipped below the horizon and the white landscape is swathed in darkness. The milder temperature from earlier in the day has plummeted into a biting cold.

I flex my fingers in my gloves to keep my blood flowing and hurry my footsteps along the path that leads to the Ross sisters’ cabin. Callum will be leaving for Denver and I’ll be starting my role as their bodyguard.

Earlier in the day, I sat down with Nick and Zane, and we drew up a plan to find out who’s after them. Hopefully, we can follow through quickly and close the case so I won’t have to deal with Ivy Ross for too long. It’s a good thing Callum hung around to help them settle in. I wouldn’t have been able to manage it without knocking heads with her.

The next few days or however long it takes to ensure their safety is going to be painful for me. But I’ve dealt with worse.

The lights are on in the quaint cabin. I climb up the porch steps and knock on the wooden door. I assess the lock and ensure it’s of good quality. Callum assured me no one followed them out here. But protecting a client means all bases must be covered even when it makes no sense.

Callum opens the door. His face is shrouded in a glow coming from the warm interior.

“Come in.” He steps aside and allows me through.

It’s a nice cabin for a not-so-nice woman.

I tense, ready for whatever barbs she’ll throw at me. But there’s no one in the living room besides me and Callum.

“Where are they?” I ask.

“Turned in already.” He falls into a chair and pulls on his boots. “They were exhausted after the night and day they’d had.”

“Yeah. That’s not surprising.” I feel a bit disappointed that I won’t get to spar with the feisty woman. I already have biting comments stacked up for when she decides to rail at me. Unfortunately, I’d have to save them for the future. “You ready to leave?”

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