Page 106 of Safe and Sound

“You’d be surprised.”

Dare’s expression darkened. “Let me be clear. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it my way.”

“I won’t let you boss me around.”

“I’m trying to keep you safe, Ava,” he gritted out

“By smothering me with bodyguards?”

He rolled his eyes. “Two men stationed outside your door and on the perimeter of your house are hardly smothering you.”

“I refuse to change my life.”

“If you want to still have a life, you will listen to me,” he gritted out.

“It’s too extreme.”

He shot out of his chair. “And I’m not going to let anything take you from me!”

I couldn’t keep from shouting, “I’m not yours!”

Both of our chests rose and fell as we stared each other down. “I’m aware that you’re not,” Dare growled.

“Are you sure?”

“I am. However, I am aware of what it takes to keep people protected. You can take it or leave it.”

Chewing on my bottom lip, I thought about asking my parents to keep Piper for me. That way there would be no way for Dare to get wind of her existence. “Okay. I’ll take it.”

“Good. My men will accompany you back home.”

“But I drove.”

“Then one will drive you while another follows.” When I opened my mouth to argue, Dare shook his head. “My way, Ava.”

“Fine,” I relented.

“Good. Now give me everything you know about the soon-to-be annihilated fucker.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Dare

Once Ava told me everything about her ex, I asked Niall to drive her home while Brody, one of our new recruits, would follow. The moment she left, I couldn’t help missing her. Although she’d clearly put me in my place about her feelings for me, my feelings weren’t dissuaded.

After spending an hour pacing around my office and snapping at my secretary and bodyguards, I realized no one was going to have any peace until I personally oversaw the security detail on Ava’s house. Even though I knew she didn’t want me anywhere near her, I couldn’t help it.

I tasked Thomas with taking me out to Ava’s. When we pulled up outside her townhouse, Niall was at the front door. To not alert the neighbors, he appeared to be painting the porch. Out of the corner of my eye, Brody walked around Ava’s house, eyeing the grass and trees like he was part of a landscaping company.

After pounding up the porch steps, I asked Niall, “Everything good?”

His lips quirked. “I’ve barely been here two hours.”

“Can’t you report on what you’ve seen so far?”

“Of course. It’s been very quiet. Between pretending to paint, I’ve been watching the street feeds on my phone from the last two days to see if I spot his car. So far nothing.”

I grimaced. “That could be both good and bad. I don’t like the idea of him out there plotting.”

“Me either. I’ll check in with Vance and see if he’s found any leads.”

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