Page 56 of Safe and Sound

“Jaysus, you’re worse than Mam when it comes to matchmaking.”

He chuckled. “Is it a crime to want to see you happy?”

“Not entirely.”

“What time should I have the car ready?”

As I gulped down the water, I shook my head. “I’ll be driving myself.”

Niall’s eyes bulged. “You’re not serious.”

“I absolutely am.”

“You know I can’t allow you to go alone into a town we haven’t done a security sweep on.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You need to remember your place.”

“I am. I’m your bodyguard. It’s my place to protect you at all times.”

“As your boss, it’s up to my discretion, and I say no.”

“I think your cock is clouding your judgment.”

Slamming my water bottle on the marble counter, I growled, “You’ve got a lot of fucking cheek.”

Niall held his hands out in front of him. “I apologize.”

“You damn right you better.”

“While I shouldn’t have said what I did, I would highly advise against you going alone.”

Snorting, I countered, “Do you honestly think there’s a threat hanging out in Gloucester on the off chance I just might show up?”

Niall shook his head. “I’m more concerned about a threat following you there and taking advantage of you being in a vulnerable state.”

With a frustrated grunt, I swept my hands to my hips. “For fuck’s sake. I just want to be free.”

“I’m sure you do, sir. But you have to remember who you are.”

“For Ava’s sake, I don’t want to be a Kavanaugh. I want to show up like a normal guy would. I want to drive up to her house, not have my driver escort me like some pretentious prick.”

Although she hadn’t voiced it openly, I knew from her demeanor that my wealth and position intimidated the hell out of Ava. With her divorce, she was already in a precarious state emotionally.

“Perhaps we can find a compromise,” Niall suggested.

“Such as?”

“You could drive yourself, and one of the guys could follow you.”

I blinked at Niall. “You can’t be serious.”

“It’s a compromise.”

“I”m not letting one of my men tail me like I’m a teenager.”

“Just until you get out of Boston to make sure you aren’t being threatened?”

Snatching up my water, I replied, “I’m done talking about this.”

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