Mia looks like a weight has lifted. “Really? You’d do that for me?”
Grayson nods, eyeing Edwin skeptically. “Got a daughter who’s a huge fan?—”
“Wait, is she here tonight?” Mia butts in, eyes rounding.
“She begged,” Grayson admits. “But I said no.”
“Thankfully.”
He shrugs. “Been in this business long enough to know better.”
She nods.
“Figure some merch and an autograph or two should settle up the cost of our services,” he adds.
“Oh, I can pay,” she says, face darkening when Edwin clears his throat.
“Actually—”
Grayson cuts him off again. “No need. Might ask for a testimonial later, though.”
“Deal,” she says, face beaming. “But only if I have a say in who protects me.”
“Of course.” Grayson nods.
A low laugh rumbles beside me, and the quiet one shifts—all eyes on me.
“This one’s who I want,” she says, eyeing me like a prize stallion she just won at auction.
Fuck. First assignment. Worst complication possible.
“This newbie?” Symon chides in, his laughter a low boom.
“Newbie?” Mia asks, and my shoulders drop a little, relief in sight.
“Yes,” Grayson says with a nod. “Tonight’s his first assignment. If you’d like somebody with a little more experience?—”
“Nope, I’ve seen more than enough to know. If he’s already this good, I’m in safe hands.”
“If you don’t end up with a concussion,” the quiet one grumbles.
“Yeah, no more tackling her, Rookie. Alright, let’s get back to command and sort everything out. Ms. Love, you’re coming with us. Anything you need to bring along, Holt can grab for you.”
“Holt?” she asks imperiously, arching a perfectly groomed eyebrow.
“Maverick Holt,” I say.
She cocks her head to the side, eyes taking me in from head to toe like I’m a living, breathing commodity.
“Mia Love,” she says with the kind of smile that could break open a rawhide heart. Fortunately, that part of my anatomy quit working when my rodeo career ended.
I grimace, then, look away. “Not much of a talker. But safety. That I can do.”
“Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
The crew laughs, and I fold my arms, frowning. Not enough pay in the world forthis.
The pop star’s eyes snap to Grayson. “Let’s go meet your daughter.”
