Page 5 of The Bodyguard Situation

Raw energy settles beneath my fingertips, and one thing Easton is right about when it comes to this car is, it’s a“fuck around and find out” kind of ride. It’salwayscalled to me—steal me—like a whisper in the night. I guess the time has arrived.

I adjust the rearview mirror, glancing at my eyes, and see a flicker of something behind them. Something I don’t recognize. This moment is the chaos I’ve craved deep in my bones, the kind that wakes a sleeping dragon. I’ll have to give Harper a thank-you when I find her. Oh, and I will fucking find her because for the first time in a long damn time, I have a real purpose.

With a swift push of the clutch, I slide it into first gear, barely rolling through the concrete tunnel. At the end, the automatic garage door rises, and the street opens up. The tires scream as I peel out of the parking garage, hanging my hand out the window, throwing another middle finger. Now, that one was from me.

I leave rubber on the road and smoke in my wake. My only regret is not getting to see my dear cousin’s reaction when he watches the replay of that video. Because he will the moment he realizes his car is missing.

I steal a glance in the rearview mirror and scan for anyone following me. In the back seat are my two duffel bags. One’s crammed with clothes; the other is filled with weapons and ammo. I can never be too careful in this game.

This car’s a beast, ready for the hunt, ready for the fucking challenge, just like me. The engine echoes through streets, between the tall buildings.

As I speed away from the city, darkness blankets me, but my clarity has never been sharper.

Harper’s tangled herself in a dangerous web, but I’m determined—more than fucking ever—to free her, even if she hates me for it.

I can already picture her smile, that cocky little grin that says she knows more than I do.

But she doesn’t. Not this time. Not when it comes to Micah. Or what she desperately needs.

Right now, I’m searching for trouble, and it’s spelled H-A-R-P-E-R.

I can’t fail again—not after Eden, not after experiencing this haunting guilt that never goes away. If something happened to Harper and I didn’t try my damnedest to save her, I’d never forgive myself. With every mile, my determination grows stronger. My pulse beats to a rhythm of sheer protectiveness.

Harper Alexander may have run away with him, but I’ll find her.

I always do.

For his sake, she had better be safe and well taken care of or else.

* * *

“Where the fuck are you, Brody?”Easton’s voice roars through the phone as I answer, jolting me from a shallow sleep.

I squint against the harsh morning sun slicing through the motel’s musty cream curtains. When I glance at the bedside clock, the red numbers tell me it’s barely past seven. Easton’s anger is obvious, even hundreds of miles away.

“Your car is safe,” I respond calmly, despite the annoyance crackling through my cousin’s voice.

“If my car was safe, it would still fucking be in my goddamn garage,” he snaps, irritation lacing every word.

I smile, but I hold back my laughter.

“You could’ve taken anything else.Anything.But that one?—”

“Should’ve been mine to begin with,” I snap, sitting up on the edge of the bed, needing to wake up. I have a long day ahead of me, and I need to get my mind right.

“Please tell me you’re not still butthurt,” he says.

“Yes, I fucking am. And I will be for eternity.”

“I should report it as stolen. Teach you a fucking lesson.”

I know he’s grinning.Asshole.

“If something happens to your precious Charger”—I rub my temple—“I’ll replace it with two of my vehicles.”

Silence settles on the line between us, and I know he’s considering it.

Finally, he speaks, and when he does, his voice is calmer even if it still carries the impatient edge that he’s known for. “Which two?”

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