Page 7 of Blinded By Loyalty

He didn’t need to thank me. I was only doing what was best for Simone. And what was best was keeping her away from me.

She stopped in front of me, glaring with a snarl to her delicious lips. “I hate you.”

“Good.” I wanted her to despise me. To never want to be around me. Then I could keep my distance from her too. I could do what I came to Los Angeles to do and be gone in a week or two.

Over the next several hours, I scoured Will’s property and didn’t find a single clue. Whoever had texted Simone probably didn’t care about anyone else at the party. They were only after her, and the thought made my skin burn with rage.

But there was no way I’d take any chances with Will’s or Miranda’s lives. They’d become like family to me. There was also the baby. I never liked kids or wanted any, but a baby was an innocent life that needed to be protected at all costs.

Tessa’s little girl, Rachel, came to mind. Tessa and I were still in the army when she found out she was pregnant. It was strange watching my badass friend’s belly grow. Oh was she moody too during her whole pregnancy. Tessa was hard as nails, but when she held her newborn baby girl, she instantly turned soft. Rabbit, as Tessa called her, was the only little kid I’d ever been around—a pint-sized version of her mother. Sarcastic, stubborn, and independent. But a kid couldn’t fight the bad guys, especially an unborn child, like Miranda’s baby.

I took in the view, resting my hands on my hips. There were a few multi-million dollar estates on both sides of Will’s. He didn’t have anyone behind him obstructing his ocean view in the distance. Clear blue skies were overhead.

I couldn’t imagine what it would be like living Will’s life. Having virtually unlimited resources was unfathomable to me. When I’d asked him for the money for Conrad, he didn’t even blink an eye. He’d wanted to give me more for my help last year, but I refused. I earned a good salary. It just wasn’t enough to pay Conrad’s debt. In my line of work, I didn’t have a 401k, just savings, which wasn’t much. I always assumed I’d die before being old enough to retire from work.

I inhaled a deep breath. Today had started out good, then chaos ensued, ruining Miranda and Will’s baby shower. Damn, it burned me too. They deserved some peace and happiness.

As I made my way back to the house, Simone’s beautiful face appeared in my mind. I hated seeing her so scared, but her wanting me with her threw me. Why would she say that in front of her parents? She had to know they didn’t like me after breaking the chain of command last summer. We were from two different worlds. We could never be together. Maybe she didn’t care. A weird flutter in my chest made me shake my head. Impossible.

The estate was mostly empty. All the guests had left hours ago, and only the security detail was around. I didn’t have much time to get to Malibu Blu Couture before it closed. I needed to get out of here.

“The home is secure.”

I turned toward York’s voice. “They need more guards.”

“I’ve called in some favors.”

“What about Simone’s apartment and the building?”

“Why don’t you take care of it? Seems you’re personally invested.” The ugly old man had a slight curl in the corner of his lip. York never smiled, so this was a first. I had to admit, I didn’t like it much.

“I’m not. But I’ll take care of it.”

“Thought you would.”

I sighed. “I’m also going to the boutique where the pictures of her were taken in the dressing room. It’s a long shot, but maybe somebody will remember something.”

“Good.” He scratched his jaw, eyeing me as if he had more to say. “I recommended you be Miss Simone’s personal bodyguard.”

“Why the fuck would you do that?” Being with Simone twenty-four seven would be torture. I was only so strong in resisting her. Shit, this was bad.

“Deny it all you want, but you care about her. That means you’ll protect her with your life. She trusts you. We all saw it earlier when she clung to you like a frightened kitten.”

Dammit, I didn’t need anyone making assumptions about Simone and me. Could this day get any worse? I had better shut those thoughts down before I tempted fate. “What about Donald, her bodyguard?”

York smirked. “Darwin?”

“Whatever the hell his name is.” All I cared about was her safety. And it helped that even though Darwin was a fit, deadly son of a bitch, he was in his fifties. She’d never be interested in him.

“He’ll still be watching and driving. But she’ll need someone staying with her at all times. At least until we figure out who’s stalking her.”

Fucking hell. I didn’t need this complication. “What about—”

“It’s done, Axel. Report to the mansion after you’ve gone by the boutique and secured her apartment.”

I gritted my teeth, biting down on my back molars almost hard enough to break them. I needed my goddamn job, which made York my immediate supervisor. Refusing his orders was unacceptable.

“Fine.” I stormed out the front door toward my truck.

---