Page 71 of The Inevitable Us

“What is going on?” she demands as soon as she walks up to us with Jay at her side.

“I’ve had some suspicions about one of the bodyguards for a while now but couldn’t get rid of him. Someone, who knows I call Rosalie Baby Girl, is trying to blackmail her.”

Her blue eyes grow wide. “Who is it?”

“I have no proof as of yet, Ma’am.”

She narrows her eyes at me and crosses her arms. Lifting a stubborn eyebrow she asks again, “Who…is…it?”

With my shoulders tense, I confess, “I’ve had my eye on Keaton for a little while. For now, I think it’s best we get you and Rosalie somewhere safe. Since I’m the only trained bodyguard, we’ll have to all go together, so I’m planning for us to go to Nashville.”

“Can’t we just go to the FBI? I mean don’t they handle stuff like this?” Jay asks, standing next to Taylee, his hands in his pocket, his dark brows furrowed.

“Yes, but my primary goal right now is to get Rosalie and Taylee to safety.”And apparently the dogs. “If he’s willing to go to the paparazzi with stolen photos of Rosalie, there’s no telling what pictures he’s stolen of Taylee’s, what he’s dug up. It’s best if they are somewhere safe they can get around without the paparazzi on their porch if something happens. The ranch would have been perfect; we just don’t know if another employee is working with him or not.”

Over the years, Ethan has purchased the neighboring houses for additional privacy, so that no one can look into their yard. I’m hoping he will offer one of those houses to Taylee since finding emergency secured housing that no one will know about for Taylee and all of the dogs is going to be challenging.

Once we load the big dogs into our SUV, Taylee gets into the back seat with them per protocol. Jay leads in the van, and we circle around a bit to make sure we’re not being followed. Once I give the signal, Jay, still driving ahead, gets onto the interstate towards Nashville and I place a phone call to Creekman that I never wanted to make.

Twohoursintoourdrive, Keaton texts. I answer while we’re giving the dogs a break.

Keaton: Hey! I’m at your office. Didn’t we have an appointment today?

No, we didn’t. But Rosalie did just miss the second drop off.

Sawyer: Was there an issue? I don’t remember scheduling an appointment in my office today. I’m moving into my new house.

Keaton: Yes my overtime is off. Are you with Taylee? No one knows where she is.

Sawyer: Taylee and Rosalie are at the vet with the dogs. She’s decided to go to the UK next month and all the dogs need their rabies shot. I’ll take care of whatever the issue is when I get into the office tomorrow.

Everyone is quiet the whole drive, the air thick with tension. When the kittens start to loudly protest their incarceration, Taylee sticks her hands in the carrier, softly petting each cat to comfort them until they doze off to sleep.

We make two stops, each time ensuring I’m not being followed, to let the dogs out to pee, making a three hour drive take almost five. I follow the van with the dogs into the driveway of the house next door to Ethan where we’re greeted by several of Ethan’s bodyguards to watch over Taylee. We leave the a/c on in the van for the small dogs and bring the big dogs with us on a leash.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Teegan,” Mrs. Henry says in greeting. “Ooff,” she lets out when Reba jumps up to lick her face.

“Reba! Down, naughty girl,” Jay commands. The dog gives him a cocked head sideways glance.

After helping unload all of the animals, I pull out of the driveway and punch in the code for Rosalie’s childhood home.

Chapter thirty-seven

Rosalie

I’mgreetedatthefront door by my mom, dad, Josie, and several men in black suits. Every bodyguard’s car is parked in the parking space near the garage, suggesting Dad’s brought them all in for this, even if we don’t currently see them all.

Mom rushes up to me and hugs me tight. I feel the tears welling up in my eyes when she draws me in. “We’ve been so worried waiting for you to come home,” Mom confesses. “Those paparazzi can get vicious when stuff like this leaks. It’s best if you’re at home where they can’t just walk up to you.”

Dad walks over and hugs me, and kisses me on the cheek. “So glad you’re home, Ro.”

Josie leans in to hug me as well. “You ok?” she asks.

“I was worried, but now that I’ve told Sawyer, I’m mad more than anything. Where are the guys?” I ask, looking around confused.

“Rory said he’s fine where he is and refused to leave. Nate is in his coach’s house locked down there until this all blows over.”

I look over, concerned about Dad and Sawyer, but they’re shaking hands, a blank look on both of their faces.

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