Page 39 of Island Protector

Knox jerked his chin toward the live image of the boat in the shed. “Better safe than sorry. I hate to break it to you, but people like you. They want to keep you around.”

Miles glanced up at the clock. Molly and Bryce might arrive at any moment. “Great. Thanks. If that’s all, you can head out.”

“Always so cordial.” Knox laughed.

“It’s old baggage,” Miles admitted. And old habits. He was too accustomed to managing on his own and relying solely onhimself. Trust didn’t come easy, the fallout of being constantly let down. Still, taking it out on Knox was dumb. The man had shown up when Miles needed him. He’d come through when Miles’s life was on the line.

“I shouldn’t have to remindyouthat Guardian Agency protectors are experts,” Knox said. “If you’re worried about Molly, don’t. She’s a client. She’s not as alone as she might feel.”

Knox’s intuition frustrated Miles. He bristled at the reminder that he hadn’t truly been alone in those final undercover days. His temper simmered at the idea that Knox might take over Molly’s security. Miles hadn’t been assigned to a case recently, but he knew the protector role. He knew Molly, too. Better than Knox.

“Is this your way of declaring yourself her bodyguard?”

Damn. He hadn’t meant to toss that out like a challenge. He’d told Jess he would watch over Molly. Then again, his old demons had prevented him from asking her out earlier because he was afraid of facing the Vedras retaliation alone.

But this situation wasn’t the Vedras. It was something else.

A grin spread slowly across Knox’s face. “From over here, I’d say that honor goes to you. How about you just remember I’m here.” He spread his arms wide. “Able and ready to assist at any time.”

“Thanks.” Miles did appreciate the offer. “If you could run interference with the chief that would be a big help.”

“Consider it done.” Knox pointed to the monitor once more. “You installed new cameras?”

“No, just cleaned them up. I’m thinking about adding another one or some kind of backup, but I don’t know where I could put it at this point.”

“Yeah, anything you add is likely to be spotted.” Knox frowned at the set up. “Just keep doing what you do.” Hepushed to his feet and turned the chair around. “And remember you’re not alone.”

“Thanks, man.”

Miles needed loads of practice with the team player concept, and he’d give it his best shot. He supposed the only answer was time. Time and people jumping to join him in the fray when a crisis hit.

Outside, working on the boat, he deliberately focused on recalling those moments when friends and allies had stood up for him. He worked backward, starting with Knox, Jess… Gamble and Swann too. The professor in college who protected his interests—earning Miles an instant fortune. The advisors who made sure he didn’t blow that fortune.

He reminisced over some better memories from school, when Harper Ellington hadn’t just been kind, but also became a friend. They’d talked once since his return and tossed around a collaboration idea between her resort and his sailing school. He shouldn’t have let that slide.

By the time Molly and Bryce walked into the shop, the old baggage had faded from his mind and he’d dictated a few notes on the collab with Harper. In a much better mood, he greeted them both. Around Molly, all of the nagging tension eased from his shoulders. The worry and speculation just lifted away. Before her, he’d only felt that easy freedom to be himself when he was out on the water.

“Hey how are y’all doing? How was school?” He crouched down to meet Bryce at eye level. “Did you behave?”

Bryce slid a glance up at his mom.

“Smiles across the board,” she reported. “And he got a gold star for his reading effort too.”

“Way to go.” Miles held up a hand for a high five. “That earns you a surprise. If it’s okay with your mom.”

The boy’s face lit up. “Please, Momma.” He bounced on his toes.

Although the tone and the puppy dog eyes were sure to do the trick, Miles added his own hopeful gaze to the equation. Naturally Molly caved, no match for their combined cuteness.

“Bring it on,” she said, feigning defeat.

“It’s over here near the tools,” he said. “We’re a team, right?”

Bryce nodded vigorously. “We are a team!”

Molly beamed at her son and Miles hoped that also meant she was getting more comfortable around the E-scow. At least while it was under repair.

Miles walked them back toward the cabinets that were currently unlocked while he was working. Opening a door, he withdrew a big box. For a second, he regretted not wrapping it, although that would have just made the whole thing into an event and he wanted to keep things light. He didn’t want to give Molly any excuse to turn down the gift or stop hanging out with him.

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