Page 21 of Guardian Daddy's Girl
REX
Rushing out this morning had nothing to do with working late. Well, not really. I did go to my office, catch up with my team, and scan some of their reports. But I had to be in and out in a couple of hours if I wanted to get back to Hailey on time. If last night did anything other than bring us closer, it strengthened my need to watch over her. Protect her from invisible threats.
And today, it seems, my ever-watchful eye is paying off.
I spotted them before Hailey made it to the parking lot. They were parked far off in the distance and made a point to park close to her friend’s car. By the time they started walking over to Hailey, I was halfway across the street, making it close enough to hear his final threat before he delivered it.
Too scared of the men in front of her, Hailey hasn’t noticed my approach. I’d give anything for her to look over, see me, and know she was safe. But there’s more ways to skin a cat.
“These guys giving you trouble, Hailey?” I say, stepping up behind the one who spoke to her. Her eyes snap up to meet mine, an easy task when I tower over the guy.
The guy’s body goes rigid with fright hearing my voice so close behind. Oh, to be young and dumb again. Feeling on top of the world. Oblivious to encroaching threats. If you couldn’t tell, that was sarcasm. Army life taught me many good lessons, but one of the best was to keep my head on a swivel.
There’s no telling what kind of monster is lurking just around the corner.
“Rex? You’re here?” Relief washes over Hailey’s face. Lucy’s too, though her wide-eyed stare might be directed at the sheer size of me.
“I am, Kitten. Now, I asked you something. Are these guys bothering you?” I ask sternly. I want her to say yes and give me a reason to leave these guys in a puddle of their own piss.
I plan on doing it regardless, but I wouldn’t mind the nod of approval beforehand.
The guy turns around to look at me, and shudders all over again, realizing what hell he just walked into.
“No, sir, we’re not—” My hand shoots up from my side and I grab him by the face to shut him up.
“You’ll get your turn, until then, shut the fuck up.” I squeeze, hard, feeling his cheeks contort in ways they weren’t meant to.
Hailey can’t answer me with words. Might be nerves caused by what could’ve happened had I not suddenly shown up here, or maybe the excitement of seeing me unexpectedly. Either way, she nods in response to my question.
And in the back of my mind, the solo from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Free Bird starts playing. It builds slow, until the sound becomes overwhelming in my head. I release the guy’s face, feeling a twisted grin stretch over my face.
“Right. Your turn.”
He opens his mouth to speak, but before a sound comes out, my fist collides with his puffy cheek. He crumples to the ground. Two of his friends don’t like that and step up to me. The first swings, hits my chest, and then stares at me in trembling awe at how it didn’t make a dent.
The second comes in behind him, throwing another wild punch that I duck easily. He stumbles forward, losing his balance, and in his moment of weakness, I bring my head down against his nose. He tumbles to the floor, out for the count.
Another takes a swing at me, I catch the guy’s hand this time. I pull him toward me, raising my elbow in line with his path. His head strikes it with so much force, even I feel the sting.
Three down, one to go. But looking at him shivering in his boots behind Hailey and Lucy, I know he’s not going to put up a fight.
“Big man, huh? Taking advantage because you thought they were weak. Alone.” I step forward. Hailey and Lucy part to let me through.
“N—n—no sir,” he stutters, backing away so fast he trips over his own feet. “
“Is this the guy? He’s incredible.” Lucy says.
“I know, right? And he’s all mine,” Hailey’s response makes me smile.
“Now, you better start running, son. Better let everyone know what will happen if they fuck with what’s mine.”
He crawls backwards on his ass while I talk. Head bobbing up and down, with the obligatoryyes, sir’sto everything I say. Noticing his window is quickly closing, he jumps to his feet and starts running. In a blink, he vanishes, and I know my job is done.
I turn around, ready to ask all the necessary questions about how she’s feeling, but Hailey launches into my arms, peppering my face and lips with a thousand kisses. I grab her by the waist, lift her up and kiss right back.
It’s not every day I get to be the hero. But if I’d known this was the thanks I’d get, I would’ve started being one a long time ago.
“How did you get here so fast?” she asks, when her onslaught of loving comes to an end.
