My new home.
Once I realized I wasn’t trapped in one room, it felt less like a prison.
Gorgeous, lush gardens sprawled across the expansive back lawn, with a guest house tucked into the corner of the property. I almost enjoyed it, padding barefoot through the grass, until I couldn’t ignore the swarms of armed guards patrolling the perimeter.
Finally, I found Torin, lounging in an oversized armchair in a sitting room near the back of the house. A bottle of something strong-smelling sat next to a dirty rag on the coffee table, his pistol in his hands. I cracked my knuckles, and Torin’s head snapped to mine.
“Um, hi. Sorry to interrupt, but could you take me to lunch with Sam, please?”
“Aye, Miss Sterling,” he said, securing something on his gun with a click before slipping it into his holster.
I wiggled my nose. Only a handful of people called me Miss, and I hated it every time. That term usually preceded some entitled older alpha with too much money putting his hand too close to my ass.
“Willow,” I corrected. “Miss Sterling is far too formal.”
A smirk curled at the corner of his mouth, making his eyes crinkle.
“Sorry, lass. Willow is too familiar. The boss will string me up if I’m too friendly with you.” My eyes narrowed. “Best I can do is Miss Willow. Take it or leave it,” he said, gesturing toward the front door.
I shrugged, following him outside. He opened the door of a sleek black car. My nails tapped against the thick, glossy tint on the windows as Torin slid into the driver’s seat.
“Bulletproof glass,” he mumbled in his thick Scottish burr.
“Is that really necessary?”
“Boss’s orders.”
Ridiculous.
I crossed my arms, leaning into the cool leather interior. An unfamiliar emotion battled with my anger. Nobody cared enough about me before to assign me a bodyguard or put me in an armored car. As a high-profile senator’s daughter, it wouldn’t have been out of the realm of possibility.
A lot of senators’ families had personal security, but my dad always said it was an unnecessary expense.
Warmth curled in my belly, sending a tingle straight to my pussy.
An alpha cared about me and wanted to keep me safe. My skin prickled, remembering his touch. I picked at an invisible thread on the dress he gifted me. It was too good to be true. What did he want? I had nothing to offer Kaelen Finnegan.
Men like him pursued illustrious omegas who could expand their wealth or influence. In theory, having the omega daughter of the future governor under his control was appealing. And if my father became governor, he might use me to control him.
None of that would matter. My father wouldn’t be swayed by anything to do with me. Kaelen could threaten to slit my throat,and chances were my dad would be relieved to be rid of me. Regardless, Kaelen didn’t need me. He had other ways of getting what he wanted.
It was quiet as Torin drove through the streets of Boston toward my favorite hole-in-the-wall brunch place that none of the tourists knew about.
“Can you turn on some music?” I asked, unable to stand the stale silence any longer.
“No, Miss Willow. I need to focus while you’re in the car. No distractions.”
Stuffy fucker.
“Fine.”
We arrived at The Nook & Cranny. Torin scanned the area as he opened my door, escorting me into the diner. Hair prickled on my nape at his intensity. Did he really expect someone to attack me in broad daylight? All the tension in my body vanished when Sam’s hazelnut eyes landed on mine.
Jumping up, she nearly knocked her chair over. A pinched look flashed on Torin’s brow before he fixed his face into a more professional mask. He leaned against a wall close to our table.
“I’ll be here, Miss Willow,” Torin said.
“Woah,” Sam breathed, tugging me into the empty seat beside her. “What’s going on with the cutie beta looking like he would take a bullet for you? Did your dad hire you a bodyguard or something?”
