Page 38 of Trust My Bodyguard

“Who’s we? You’re right here with me.”

“Would you rather I swap with one of the guys?”

“You’d do that?” I make puppy eyes at him. “That’d be the best thing to happen to me this year.”

He scoffs. “Unfortunately, I’m not in the business of making you happy so you’re stuck with me.”

“Story of my life. Always getting the worst lot in life.”

“You’re just trying to hurt me.” He gives me a look. “Here’s a tip: you can’t.”

“I know, right? You’re a big strong man. Tough exterior. Impenetrable heart.”

His face falls. It’s only for a second but it’s long enough to see I hit a nerve.

I like things breezy. I’ve seen enough trauma to last a lifetime. Brody comes off as a well of deep, complicated feelings hidden behind a solid wall. If I break through that, combined with my desire to fix everyone, I’d be drawn into him with no way out.

So I keep things light and easy. “I’ve got a newsflash for you. You’re not. I can take you down with my pinky.”

That pulls a startled laugh from him. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“This here.” I hold up my little finger. “Has more power in it than you do in your whole buff body.”

“You’re looking at my body?” His eyes narrow.

“I’m stating a fact. Anyone can see it.”

“You’re talking about it. Looking at it now…”

I tear my eyes from his ripped muscles to glare at him. “You’re a piece of work.”

“You can’t get enough of me.”

I hate how true that is. “Keep telling yourself that.”

“Oh, I don’t need to. You tell me every time you…”

I stop listening to him. A noise outside draws my attention. Someone’s yelling. No, two people. One of them is Iris. I’d know that high-pitched, scared scream anywhere.

I’m off the couch and gunning for the door.

“Ivy? Ivy!” Brody yells behind me.

My heart slams against my ribcage. I don’t care about anything else other than getting to my sister and ensuring she’s okay.

I pause on the porch steps and try to get my bearings. The noise is coming from the side of the cabin. I round the house and come to a stop.

Iris has her hands pressed to her chest as a smaller, blonde woman leans into her. A feeling of déjà vu comes over me. I know this woman.

“Please, go away,” Iris says, infusing as much sternness as her gentle voice allows.

“I asked you a question,” the woman retorts.

“You did.” Iris steps backward toward the cabin. “After scaring the shit out of me. Please, leave.”

“Is this how you treat your fans?” She pushes closer to my sister, getting in her face. “Just answer the damn question. Why did you stop singing?”

Her face. The realization smacks me right in the head. This is the woman who clung to Brody that first day in the lobby.

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