We arrive at the gym, and I pull into a parking space. Before I do my sweep, Cora reaches for the door handle.
“No.” My arm shoots out, creating a barrier across her body. I sense her sharp intake of breath as my elbow grazes her, but I keep my focus on the task at hand. “Safety first,” I explain, my voice low. “I check the area before you exit.”
She rolls her eyes. “It’s just my gym, Ryder. Not a war zone. I’ve been coming here for years without an armed escort.”
If only she understood the dangers that could lurk anywhere. “I’ll be the judge of that,” I state, unfolding myself from the car.
As I close the door, I hear her mimicking me under her breath. My head snaps back toward the car. Did she forget I was trained to be hyperaware of my surroundings?
She plasters on an innocent smile that doesn’t fool me for a second.
I prowl the perimeter, my senses on high alert. Every person, every vehicle, is a potential threat. Only when I’m satisfied do I return to Cora. “All clear.”
“All clear, General? No fitness-crazed assassins lurking by the protein shake stand?” she quips.
“No.Let’s go.”
She rushes inside.
“Cora, wait!” I call out, but she’s already gone. Cursing under my breath, I lock the car and lengthen my stride to catch up. She’s inside, unprotected, exposed. Every worst-case scenario flashes through my mind in rapid succession.
I burst through the doors, my eyes scanning the space. The sudden assault of pop music and the crowded interior disorient me. I grimace, forcing myself to focus.
There—I spot her by the reception desk, grinning and waving like she doesn’t have a care in the world. Relief washes over me, replaced by frustration. Does she have any idea of the risks she’s taking?
I stride toward her, my jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth. The receptionist turns to me, her welcoming smile faltering at my expression.
“Do you have a membership with us, sir?” she asks.
“I’m with her,” I growl, gesturing to Cora. My voice comes out harsher than intended, but I’m too wound up to care. “Let me in.”
Cora whirls around, her eyes widening as she takes in my thunderous expression. She looks mortified, but it’s too late for that now.
“He’s with me,” she interjects, flashing an apologetic smile at the receptionist. “My...guest. Sorry about him. He left his manners in the car.”
She grabs my arm—her small hand barely wrapping around my bicep—and tugs. “Come on, Cujo. Heel.”
I allow her to pull me along, but my eyes never stop scanning our surroundings. My pulse is still pounding in my ears, a constant reminder of how quickly things could have gone wrong.
Once we’re past the desk, Cora rounds on me, her voice low and angry. “Seriously? Was that necessary? You can’t just barge in here like you own the place and terrify the staff.”
My nostrils flare, my anger rising to meet hers. “You ran ahead,” I say back. “She was in my way.”
Cora pinches the bridge of her nose. “That’s her job. To keep people from just wandering in. Would it kill you to say ‘please’ once in a while?”
I stare at her. How can I make her understand? This isn’t about manners or social niceties. It’s about her safety—my job.
“Never mind,” she sighs. “Let’s just...try not to scare anyone else today, okay? I like it here and would prefer not to get banned.”
I loom behind Cora as she stows her bag in a locker. My eyes catch on a guy staring at Cora.
As she adjusts the weights, I position myself to block the staring guy’s view. My skin prickles with awareness. Of Cora, of the crowded gym, of the countless potential threats surrounding us. Sweat beads on my forehead, and I’m not sure if it’s from the stuffy gym or my hypervigilance.
“You know,” Cora pants between reps, her breath coming in short gasps that do things to me I’d rather not acknowledge, “you kind of defeat the purpose of a bodyguard if you’re drawing more attention than a neon sign.”
I grunt, shifting my weight. She’s right, but I’d rather deal with stares than leave her exposed. “Your safety is more important than discretion. You never know where danger might come from, Little Trouble.”
The nickname slips out before I can stop it.Damn it.
