Page 35 of If Our Hearts Collide

Collins holds his hands up in defense. “I’m not going to interfere with your life nor share details back that are not appropriate. Trust that I can keep an eye on you but still let you accomplish your goals.”

Well, he hasn’t seen them—and won’t see them. Some are a bit spicy…

“Did they assign you to me because I visited Mark?”

“You won’t be doing that again whether I’m your guard or not. Do you understand?”

I shrink back in my seat at his stern authority. “Got it.”

Collins lets out a sigh. “We can even work together.”

“Together?”

“Form an alliance.” He shrugs, eyeing me carefully. “A partnership, if you will.”

“That seems counterproductive, don’t you think?” I furrow my brow. “I’m sure that will probably break some major code in the professional bodyguard conduct book that my overbearing brothers probably made you sign. Why are you smirking? I’m being serious. This is my life.”

“I’m not going to break any rules, Penny.”

“I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure my brothers wanted this whole assignment to be secret from me.”

“You are smart, Penny. I never expected you not to figure it out. Albeit, I thought I had more time to get you on board before you try to derail me.” He glances at the time. “I made it a solid seven minutes before you called me out.”

I don’t even know what to think. Although I knew my brothers would have some type of watch, I never expected them to be this blatant about it. Collins can’t possibly understand my needs right now, especially since I’m still struggling myself with where to channel all of my energy.

This is not how I expected my morning to go. Not at all. I can feel my breathing pick up, and I say a silent prayer that I won’t have a panic attack—at least not here.

When I’m alone in the confines of my bedroom is one thing, but to have an audience always makes things awkward.

“I’m simply asking you to comply with the normal safety protocols that your brothers will want in place.”

I think about Collins’s words, mulling the idea around in my head. I don’t know what to say. I can tell he is struggling with how to handle me, and maybe he deserves some of my grace. But I don’t even know how to cope with this confession on his part. I just need some time and space to manage my emotions.

After several long minutes, Collins grips the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turn white. Maybe he’s mad I’m not talking. I mean, what is there to say?

All of the humor I once saw on his features has now vanished, making me wonder if I imagined it there in the first place. “Maybe your brothers went about this the wrong way by not consulting with you first.”

“You think?”

Collins purses his lips as he pulls out of the driveway. “I need to keep you safe, Penny. That’s not up for negotiation.”

“Safe from what?” When he doesn’t answer, I connect the dots. “Oh, myself.” I allow that thought to sit with me. “Is it because everyone is worried I’ll make bad choices?” Again more silence. “You do realize that every nonanswer is an answer, right?”

Collins sighs. “Let’s come to some understanding so neither of our lives are made difficult.”

“Can you at least provide me with some examples of the safety protocols you want to put in place so I can yay or nay? Because right now, Collins, my mind is thinking of tracking devices, prison style ankle bracelets, and other archaic methods.”

“Huh.”

“What?”

“I wasn’t thinking of ankle bracelets before, but that is a really good idea.”

My eyes jerk to his, which are looking at the road. “You cannot be serious.”

A laugh escapes his lips, and it is so unexpected I burst into giggles as well.

“Background checks,” he supplies, his voice unwavering.

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