Singe (Guardian Protection #1)

“They can’t tell me no. That man wanted to let you go as much as he wants an appendectomy.” He lifted his chin to a table on the far side of the room. “Besides, I think Johnson’s been biding his time, waiting for a turn.”

I turned, and sure enough, Aidan was sitting alone at the table closest to the dance floor, a nearly empty drink in his hand, his dark gaze leveled on me, an unreadable emotion carved into his features.

“Is he okay?” I asked, concern washing over me. I lost sight of him as Leo twirled me under his arm.

“I’ve got a confession,” Leo said.

Glancing over my shoulder, I tried to keep Johnson in my sights, but my dance partner was making it next to impossible.

Leo’s voice dropped to a whisper as he announced, “I read your books.”

This wasn’t a surprise. While my Burning Love series would forever stay hidden on my book shelf, I’d published three new titles over the last year. Sales were nothing to brag about. I think I sold twenty-seven copies the first day, which coincidentally was the exact number of Guardian employees, but whatever. My sense of accomplishment that day wasn’t about the numbers. It was about finally being free. I’d been in hiding for too long, having allowed my fears to control me. But, in that moment, my finger poised over the magical publish button, Jude sitting beside me, a smile on his face, pride beaming in his eyes, and excitement fluttering in my stomach, I knew I was one click away from living my dream.

Laughing, I replied to Leo, “I didn’t peg you as a romance kind of guy.”

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong, Rhion. It’s seems I’m really fucking good at romance.” He moved his hand from my back and pointed to Sarah, who was laughing with Lark and his wife. “See, a while back, I met a woman who showed me that, sometimes, two broken pieces can form a whole. And you, my friend, were about as broken as they came. So, after stealing and reading one of your books, I hired who I hoped could be your other piece.”

“What?” I gasped, my feet becoming rooted to the floor, chills pebbling my skin.

Oh. My. God.

“Now, now. Don’t get all emotional on me,” Leo whispered.

Yeah, right. Like that wasn’t going to happen.

“You…you hired him for me?”

“No,” he replied, his hands falling away from my back as the song came to an end. “I hired him because he came with an outstanding reference from his old boss. Though I did hire him without so much as an interview for you.” The corner of his mouth popped up into a crooked grin. “Gotta say, babe, I never expected you’d actually marry the guy. I figured, realistically, you’d get over your obsession with him and finally open yourself up to someone else. My bet was on Devon.”

I curled my lip. Not that Devon wasn’t an attractive man, but the idea of being with him was right up there with putting the moves on Apollo.

Leo chuckled and pulled me in for a hug. “But I’m pleased as fuck to see both of you whole again. Married or not. You’re Guardian, Rhion. We take care of our own.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I returned his embrace. I’d spent a lot of years feeling alone inside that apartment before Jude had shown up, but as it turned out, my true family had been just upstairs the entire time.

“Thanks, Leo,” I breathed.

He released me and shoved his hands into his pockets. “If at all possible, let’s keep this quiet. Word gets out that I was pullin’ a Cupid, it’s gonna be difficult to maintain the hardass reputation I’ve made for myself.”

“Mum’s the word.” I laughed and made a show of zipping my lips then throwing the key away.

Leo twirled me once more before kissing my cheek. “Looks like there’s a line forming.”

My gaze found Johnson as he stood behind Leo, impatiently waiting for his turn with me.

I’d almost made my way into his arms when Jude stepped in front of him, a glass of champagne in each hand. After tossing a smug smile over his shoulder, he declared, “I’m done sharing.”

“Jude!” I halfheartedly scolded, slapping him on the chest.

He smirked and handed the glasses off to Leo and Johnson. “I’ve shared you with the guys enough tonight. They’ll survive awhile longer without you.” He leaned toward me, gripping my hips, and rasped, “After watching your ass in that dress, I’m not sure I can say the same.”

I giggled and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pulling him close. “I can’t believe today is almost over,” I said, pressing my cheek to his chest, his strong heart playing a staccato rhythm in my ear as I watched the waves roll in.

“Yeah, but we’re just beginning, Rhion. We’ve got the ring part taken care of, but give me a few years and we’ll start on babies and rocking chairs.”

I sighed, and my heart swelled. “You’re real.”

His chest rumbled before he said the words I’d never tire of hearing. “I love you too, Butterfly.”



THE END