Lucy’s jaw tightened. “No. I hired Salt and Steel to look after me. Not to separate me from my best friend.”
Her lower lip was trembling, and she was looking at me likeIwas the bad guy.
But I had over twenty years as a Navy SEAL under my belt, and I wasn’t used to being soft for the civilians.
My job was to protect Lucy, and I couldn’t do that if she had random staff wandering in and out of the property.
So I told her, “If Valerie stays, I’m dragging both your asses to a safe house.”
Valerie spoke calmly, settling the truce for us. “Lucy, maybe he has a point. Someoneistrying to kill you. I think we should listen to him. Plus, my sister just had her baby. She could use my help.”
Lucy frowned at me for a long moment.
“Fine,” she sighed before looking at her friend. “But it’s only temporary and only because I want to keepyousafe.”
Valerie hugged Lucy and whispered something in her ear, then disappeared to pack.
With that settled, I did a thorough pass through the house, clearing the premises.
There were glaring issues with the security measures, but the biggest problem was clear. There was only one way in and one way out.
If someone came for her, she’d be trapped.
Lucy watched me warily. “Cal said you’d blend seamlessly into my life. Sending Valerie away is a mistake. I rely on her for… everything.”
Yup.
And Valerie was on the suspect list. So she was leaving one way or the other.
But I didn’t say that.
When people reached a certain level of wealth, they expected the whole world to comply with their wishes.
Unfortunately for Lucy Lee, I wasn’t going to be her yes-man. I was the surly fucker who was going to keep her cute ass alive.
“We need to talk about the ground rules,” I growled.
“Rules,” she pursed her lips, already gearing herself up for a fight.
“I stay with you at all times. I go everywhere you go. And nobody gets close to you. Not while I’m here.”
Lucy crossed her arms. “Don’t forget I hired you.”
“No, ma’am. That’s not the way this goes. You’re under my protection now. That means you move when I say go, and you stop only when I tell you to.”
She sighed. “You need to know that Ihatethis. I spent the last twenty years of my life under surveillance from men just like you. I couldn’t even go to thebathroomwithout someone standing outside the door.”
“Yup. And I’ll be standing outside the door, too,” I told her. “Nobody gets to you without going through me first.”
“I’m aware that’s supposed to be reassuring.”
“It’s not supposed to be anything. It’s just the way it’s going to be.”
I knew she needed a softer touch, but she’d hired the wrong man for that. I was made of granite and oak. And I couldn’t be her soft, cuddly security blanket.
Not if I wanted to do my job and protect her sweet ass.
Her words warbled slightly, “I don’t want to live like that anymore. I chose this house specifically because it’s at the end of a private road with nobody around. You’re here to keep me safe. But youdon’tget to boss me around.”
