Page 30 of Legacy

No mercy.

And she doesn’t hesitate to clear the doorway for him.

Jesse doesn’t remove his hand from my back as he leads me into the clubhouse. He doesn’t explain that I’m his daughter's nanny or try to justify what I might be doing here. And I realize he doesn’t have to. This is his domain, and he owns it with every step.

Once we’re inside, Jesse drops his hand from my back, and I instantly feel the loss of it. But I keep my gaze averted so he doesn’t notice my disappointment.

The clubhouse is quieter today, and the only people hanging around are talking or playing darts.

“Bea left her doll here,” I explain when Jesse hasn’t asked. “She said it’s in your office, and Margaret stayed with her so I could come get it.”

“You could have texted me to let me know.”

“You wereworking.”

“Doesn’t matter. I told you to text if you needed anything.”

“And interrupt you when I’m more than capable of doing it myself?” I roll my eyes.

“See how well that worked out.” He shoves open a door and waits for me to walk in first.

The room is large, with a wall of heavily tinted windows on one side and a large, solid oak desk in the center. Like Jesse’s house, his office is clean and minimally decorated, apart from one corner of the room bursting with color. There’s a toy chest and a child-size couch, and sitting on one cushion is the doll I came looking for.

“I didn’t need you to save me from those girls.” I walk over and snatch up the doll. “I had it under control.”

“You could just saythank you, Reagan.”

I turn to face him, and he’s leaning against the closed door, watching me. His eyes are burning bright with amusement as he throws my own taunt back at me.

“Thank you,” I concede, even if there’s a bite to it as I roll my shoulders back. “So you’re done with whatever you were doing this morning?”

“I’ve still got some work to finish up. But yeah, I’m done at the shop.” He circles the desk with a smug grin.

“You make your job sound so normal.” I glance around the room, wondering what else he does for the club when he’s not at the shop.

“I was born and raised here. It’s as normal as it gets for me.”

His gaze settles on me again, and I sense him sizing me up because of what I said. Probably thinking that justbecause he’s used to this place and I’m not that I can’t handle it.

“Stop looking at me like that,” I say after a long pause.

“Like what?”

“Like I can’t take care of myself around here. I’m fine.”

“I’m sure you think so, but you shouldn’t come here without me.” His fingers flex. “And not just because of the girls. But unless you’re taken, the guys will consider you fair game.”

“Even if I’m your daughter’s nanny?”

“Especially then.” His eyes avoid mine like he thinks I won’t catch the flare of jealousy that just flashed in them.

“Are you worried I might get along too well with one of yourbrothers?” I tease my lower lip with my teeth, daring him to say I’m wrong.

“Just looking out for you, sweetheart.” His expression has cooled, even as his gaze pauses on the hem of my very short pink dress. “I doubt you can handle what the guys around here are into.”

He might be right, but it doesn’t temper my irritation. I’ve spent my whole life shoved into a mold that crafted what he sees standing here in front of him. I don’t have to stand here and listen to Jesse use it against me. Especially when I’m not as sweet and innocent as he thinks.

Reaching into my purse, I pull out a book and toss it onto the desk beside him.

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