Page 37 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

“He will. You haven’t met his wife.” Ryder nodded slowly, then shot me a grin.

Okayyyy.

I looked from face to face, wondering if I should ask. But the way they were all grinning told me to leave it alone. Instead, I kicked off the briefing. “So, the Marino estate.”

“Yeah. Travis pulled up the floor plan, but we don’t know if he’s made any renovations since he purchased it almost ten years ago.” Ryder placed a printout of the plan onto the table we stood around, then planted his hands on his hips, glaring at it intensely. “My guess is he has, so approach with caution.”

Always.

Heads dipped, and we all examined the layout, making sure we were as familiar as we could be.

“Jesus, the size of this place,” Cole said.

“Figure Stella will be escorted into this room here,” Ryder points. “If Marino wants to take her aside for a private conversation, he could go here or here.”

My teeth had ground together for the rest of the briefing, imagining her in a room without me having eyes on her. My jaw is still partially locked.

If the choice were mine, I would’ve chosen your kiss.

Stella sits next to me quietly as we follow her father’s entourage. They greeted each other coldly earlier, and we are now minutes from arriving at the Marino Estate.

“If—”

“You’ll be safe,” I say, knowing her nerves are shot to shit right now.

“But if—”

I turn, my gaze dropping to hers. “Tell me what I need to know. Forget the NDA, Stella.”

She shakes her head and twirls her fingers together nervously. “I can’t. For as much your protection as mine.”

Fuck.

I’m thankful Cole and Marshall are behind us because her nervousness is starting to get under my skin and I’m on edge about what sort of reception we’ll get upon arrival.

Worse, what Marino has planned for Stella.

The gates of the Marino Estate come into view, and Victor Voss’ vehicle drives through first. We’re stopped, and a guard leans in, studying everyone in the vehicle; then he nods, and we’re waved inside the property.

The driveway runs between perfectly sculptured lawns scattered with large, established trees. Then the mansion comes into sight, and it looks like something out of a dark thriller.

“Christ,” I hear Marshall in my earpiece. “Cliché much?”

“I don’t like this,” Cole says.

“Hmm,” I add, keeping my comments to myself, not wanting to upset Stella any more than she is.

Her eyes lift to mine.

“Say the word, and we can turn around and leave right now.” It’s an option that no one else seems to be giving her.

The fact that she’s wearing a black dress, which looks more suitable for a funeral than meeting the man she intends to spend her life with, says a hell of a lot.

Stella swallows.

I’m not sure if she’s considering it or calculating the consequences.

If the choice were mine, I would’ve chosen your kiss.