“He’s not leaving until I know what’s going on.” I bang my hands on the hood of the car, all riled up again at the thought someone has been following me around without my permission. I know it was reckless to lunge in front of a moving car, but I want answers, and I want them now.
“You almost gave me a coronary.” Jared levels me with a stern look as he stalks toward the driver’s door. “We’ll be having words about this later.”
“Open the fucking door, J, and pull that asshole out.” The fact he was preparing to speed off when he saw us approaching confirms he is up to no good.
Jared tugs on the driver’s side handle, but the asshole has locked the door. J hammers on the glass, bellowing out threats while I remain in front of the car, stopping him from moving. “Face us like a man, dipshit, or I’m calling the cops.”
Jared removes his cell and taps on the keypad, preparing to call 911, when the engine cuts out. He jumps back as the door opens, shock rendering him speechless when polished black dress shoes land on the asphalt and a large broad man heaves himself out of the SUV.
“What. The. Fuck?” Jared’s gaze bounces from the man to me as I slowly round the hood and come up to them.
“Dirk?” I gasp, staring at the man who was one of my bodyguards as a teen.
“Hello, Sydney.” He flashes me a nasty grin I’m all too familiar with. It’s been years since I last saw him, and the years haven’t been kind to him. His dark hair is now speckled with thick strands of gray. Pronounced lines at the corners of his eyes and his mouth age him more than his years, and he’s carrying at least an extra fifty pounds. Not ideal if you’re employed in the security industry.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I plant my hands on my hips and glare at him.
“I see your vocabulary hasn’t improved.”
Jared growls low, stabbing Dirk with a menacing glare, but he remains quiet, and I’m glad he’s letting me handle this.
I cock my head to the side and smirk. “My attitude hasn’t either. At least when it comes to my father. I presume he’s behind this?” I’m working hard to leash my anger, and it’s challenging.
Dirk nods.
“How long have you been spying on me?”
“I’ve beenprotectingyou for the past seven weeks.” He cracks his knuckles, and if it’s meant to be threatening, it’s laughable.
“Protecting me from what exactly?” I arch a brow.
His gaze darts to Jared, and my eyes bug wide.
“You cannot be serious.” My glare deepens. “I don’t need protecting from Jared!”
He shrugs. “Take it up with your father. I’m just following orders.”
“Get the fuck out of here,” Jared snaps, slinging his arm around my shoulders and drawing me into his side. “And don’t come back. If you harass my girlfriend again, I’ll call the cops and have you arrested for stalking.”
An inordinate thrill rushes through me when he calls me his girlfriend, and I feel like I’m fifteen all over again. It’s more than a little presumptuous, as nothing is agreed between us, but I’m not about to argue the point in front of my father’s lackey.
“Like I said, take it up with Mr. Shaw.”
“Oh, trust me, I will.” I’m seething, and while I don’t relish talking to my father, I will do it to stop this bullshit.
“Scram or I’m calling the cops.” Jared tightens his hold on me as he levels Dirk with a warning look.
“I’ll be seeing you around, Sydney,” the jerk says as he climbs behind the wheel.
“Go to hell, Dick. If I see you near my house again, I’ll shoot you and claim self-defense.”
He pins me with an irritating grin before yanking his door shut and peeling out of our neighborhood.
“What the fuck is going on, Syd?” Jared pulls me into his arms.
Resting my head on his chest, I inhale his comforting scent, wondering the same thing. “I don’t know, but we’re going to find out.”
* * *
