Page 38 of Wrecked

I step outside and shut my door. “Hey, guys.”

Miguel steps forward and puts his hand on my shoulder. “I hear you’re going to transition to being Beth’s full-time bodyguard.”

“That’s the plan.”

“I was one of her first bodyguards, back when her brother hired us to provide covert security. That was when Howard Kline—the guy who kidnapped her when she was little—was released early on parole. Miles Bennett and I shadowed her 24/7, and she had no idea she had protection. She didn’t know she needed it.” He chuckles. “The shit really hit the fan when she found out about the protection detail. She was so pissed at Shane.”

“Why was she mad at Shane?” I ask. “What did he do?”

“Well, he and Beth had already gotten together at that point, and he didn’t tell her any of this. She was livid. I was there when she let him have it. Fortunately, he was able to smooth things over with her.”

“Do you think this guy—Howard Kline—is still a threat to her?”

Miguel shrugs. “We can’t be sure, but we’re not taking any chances. I guess that’s where you come in now. To make sure she’s safe. Shane must like you if he’s trusting you to keep her safe.”

God, the idea of someone trying to hurt that girl—no wonder Shane’s so protective of her. She’s got to be the sweetest person I’ve ever met. I don’t know how anyone could wish her ill.

The five of us head down to the parking garage.

“Mack’s the designated driver tonight,” Liam says as we all pile into Mack’s SUV.”

It’s a company rule. There’s no serious drinking unless you have a designated driver. We take turns filling that role.

I’m glad it’s not my turn tonight because I won’t mind getting a little bit sloshed tonight. Anything to take my mind off a pair of steely blue eyes.

* * *

Tanks is a lot of fun. We order a ton of appetizers and pitchers of beer to share. Mack gets a Coke.

“How’s it going at Clancy’s?” Miguel asks.

“Fine,” I say. “All except for the bitch of a manager, Vanessa.”

Miguel laughs. “I’ve heard stories about The Dragon Lady.”

“God, I hope Beth fires her. I honestly don’t know why she hasn’t yet. Sometimes Beth is too nice for her own good.”

“Did you lose a fight recently?” Jason asks me, gesturing to my knuckles.

I laugh, not sure how to answer that. I don’t want to lie to these guys.

“Yeah, with a punching bag,” Liam says, laughing. He shoots me a quick glance that saysDon’t worry.

Liam doesn’t know about Cooper, of course, but he knows I had some kind of run-in with a guy.

“Don’t look now, Sam,” Mack says, “but I think our server is checking you out.”

I nearly choke on a mouthful of beer as I glance back at a pretty blonde girl taking orders at a table near ours. “She’s wasting her time. She’s definitely not my type.”

“How about a game of darts?” Miguel asks. He lays a twenty dollar bill on the table. “I need to recoup my losses from the last time you skunked me.”

“You’re on!” I say as I finish off my beer.

* * *

A little after midnight, we head home. I’m pleasantly buzzed and forty dollars richer. Miguel was a good sport about losing to me again.

In the vehicle, I check my phone to see if I missed any messages or phone calls, but no. Well, there’s one text from mysister who’s checking in with me, but that’s it. I’ll text her back in the morning because it’s late for her. Dayton is an hour ahead of us, and she needs her sleep. She works the early-morning shift at the hospital.