MELODY: You go, girl!
Her words bring tears to my eyes. She’s always got my back.
She sends a selfie of her blowing me a kiss, but her mascara is running and her eyes are all red. She must have been so worried.
ME: You’re the best, Mel. I’m so sorry I scared you.
MELODY: No way! I’m SOOO proud of you right now. You deserve a break. Just be careful, OK??
ME: I will. I promise. Love you.
MELODY: Love you too! Now go have fun. And be safe!
Safe.
Tony’s probably shitting himself right now, and I’d almost feel bad for him if he weren’t such an ass to me all the time. Barking orders and suffocating me with his arcane safety protocols. It’s obvious the guy gets off on being in control.
But Tony’s not in control today. I am.
At least for a little while.
A call comes in, and it’s Darcy. I already know what she’s going to say, so I tap Ignore. But now I’m thinking about Melody’s words again.
I will be careful. I’ll be safe…assuming the stalker doesn’t figure out where I am.
But what if they do? How will I protect myself? I don’t know the first thing about fending off a violent person.
I nibble my lip.
What do other celebrities do when they want to get away? Do they bring their whole security detail with them? There’s no way in hell I’m doing that.
Maybe I could hire a personal bodyguard? Like Whitney Houston in the movie. Some good-looking man who knows what to do in a dangerous situation.
Encouraged, I do a quick search on my phone for personal security in Cupid City, then place a call to arrange for a hopefully sexy man to protect me while I’m there. Onmyterms.
Then I turn off my phone so Tony can’t trace it and lean way back in my seat, smiling at the brightly lit buildings we go by.
Chapter 2
Chase
The Harrises’ driver, Teddy, pulls into the driveway of their three-story brick home. It’s late, and the whole place is lit up like a Christmas tree. Decorative lights line the walkway and pick out the trees leading up to the property. I climb out of the car, then hold the door for Mrs. Harris, offering her a hand.
“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your help, Chase.” Mr. Harris comes around to clap me on the back. “I don’t want to think about what might have happened without your quick thinking yesterday.”
The Harrises had been receiving death threats after the company he owns put in an offer on one of the old buildings in the warehouse district. We were able to identify the culprit—the owner of a neighboring property—and he’s since been detained.
“Just doing my job.” I offer him a firm handshake, then turn to Mrs. Harris. “Best of luck to you, ma’am.”
She clasps her hands together, then surprises me, throwing her arms around me in a quick hug before she steps back and regains her composure. “Thank you, Chase, for keeping us safe. It meant a lot, knowing you were there to protect us. It made a scary time much less frightening.”
I nod politely. “Of course. Let us know if you run into any trouble again. We’re just a phone call away.”
She nods. “Will do.”
I wave, then climb into the passenger seat since Teddy offered to give me a ride back to my place.
“Warehouse district?”
