“Are you telling me that kiss was just for show?” I should be disappointed, but her boldness reassures me.
Maria is willing to play up the lie we weave, fawning over the ring. A quick glance toward the window confirms what she says.
“Watching and calling it in.” The man by the window holds a cell phone to his ear. “We’ve delayed long enough. Are you ready to enter the lion’s den?”
I don’t see my team, but we’re running out of time.
“I actually am.” She twists the ring on her finger, admiring the craftsmanship, then looks up at me. “Thank you for last night.”
“It was my pleasure.”
“That’s not what I mean. I was nervous when Forest told me what he planned and knew there was no way I could pull something like that off.”
“And now?”
“Spending the night with you helped, and I know it wasn’t fun for you, but it really helped me to relax.”
“Not fun for me?” I shake my head. “I had a blast.” It’s the truth. “You’re a lot of fun to be around, and you make things easy.”
“I know, but it’s your job, and I just wanted to say thanks while I could. You know … before we really have to put on a show.”
“What if it’s not a show?” I can’t help but add that in. The longer I’m in her presence, the more I don’t want any of this to end.
Movement outside catches my eye. Help has arrived. Wolfe saunters in and all eyes turn to him. The man is something else, simmering lethality comes to mind. Decked out in a black suit with a navy-blue tie, the man screams professional bodyguard, stay away.
Close on his heels is Brady, who barely made it out of the Cancun fiasco Bravo team faced.
He prowls into the coffee shop and steals every eye that latched onto Wolfe. The man is a built like a tank, solid, like Forest, and is the one Guardian who can look Forest Summers in the eye. Like Wolfe, he wears all black, except for an identical navy tie cinched tight at his neck. Unlike Wolfe, the left side of Brady’s face is covered in scars from nearly getting burned alive.
While Wolfe heads to the counter, Brady angles over to me.
Maria’s reaction to my friends is fun to watch. There’s a gasp, a hitching of her breath, and sustained visual contact. I’d say eye contact, but there’s no one in the coffee shop, with the exception of me, with the grit to maintain eye contact with Wolfe and Brady.
I take Maria’s hands in mine. “Buckle up, buttercup, things are about to get interesting.”
“Who …” Her head tilts back as her eyes climb the impossible distance up to Brady’s face. Mouth gaping, words seem to fail her.
“Maria …” I lower my voice for her ears alone and give her hands a hard squeeze to get her attention.
“What?” She shakes her head and focuses on me.
“We’re officially in play.”
It takes her a moment, but then her eyes widen. She gives a shaky nod as Brady approaches the table.
“Sir.” Brady gives a nearly imperceptible nod. He stands at parade rest, hands clasped behind his back, legs shoulder-width apart.
“Maria, I’d like to introduce you to Brady. He, along with Wolfe, will be your personal protective detail.”
“My what?” Her mouth gapes.
“Remember, princess? We talked about this.” I rub my finger over the diamond. We literally just talked about this.
It takes a moment, but then her eyes brighten and her mouth closes. She takes a sip of coffee and peeks up at Brady. Taking a moment to swallow, she smiles at him.
“It’s nice to meet you, Brady.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Miss Rossi.”
“Please, call me Maria.”
“Miss Rossi will do.” Brady gives a sharp shake of his head.
Behind Brady, Wolfe arrives with two small black coffees in hand. He gives one of them to Brady, then holds his cup in front of him while I make introductions.
“It’s nice to meet you, Miss Rossi.”
This isn’t the first time Maria’s met Wolfe, but it may be the first time his name’s been mentioned. I wait to see if Maria breaks character, but to my delight, she pretends this is the first time she’s seen him.
“Likewise.” Maria peeks around the massive form of Brady and her lips twist. “Looks like you have competition.”
“How’s that?” Wolfe shifts to a position where he can surveil the entire room.
Brady does the same.
The moment the two of them approach us, Maria’s security team moves in. Hands tucked inside their suit jackets, they’re not happy seeing Maria surrounded by Wolfe, Brady, and myself.
“Miss Rossi,” the lead man says, “we’re here to escort you home.”
“Hey, Gerald.” She gives a little flick of her fingers. “How are you?”
Gerald grits his teeth as he takes in Wolfe and Brady. They shift to protective positions, flanking Maria the moment Gerald and Stefan head our way.
“Are these men bothering you?” Gerald puffs out his chest. He’s a large man, as men go, but nothing when compared to three Guardians.
His partner shifts on his feet, readying for a fight, but uncertain of the outcome. If he’s smart, he weighs the odds and knows he’s not only out-numbered, but out-manned as well.
As Guardians, we can’t help a certain degree of bridled ferocity. It’s in our blood, in the very makeup of who we are.
“Maria is under my protection. Who are you? And why are you here?” I glance up at Gerald, demanding an answer.
“We’re her protective detail.” Gerald swallows thickly.
“Protective detail?” I release Maria’s hand and rise to my full height. My chair scrapes across the floor as I kick it out of the way. “Not such a protective detail when you lose your charge like you did last night. Fortunately, Maria was with me, but anything could’ve happened. You can tell whoever you work for that your services are no longer required.”
Gerald does that thing again where he tries to swallow his Adam’s apple and fails. He glances at Maria, trying to dismiss me, but I’m a hard man to ignore.
“Miss Rossi,” the man does his best to ignore me, “your mother and your uncle were very worried last night when you disappeared.”
“Why would that be?” Maria glances up at Gerald, completely nonplussed. A soft smile fills her face as she plays innocent. “I’ve been in very capable hands.” She places her hands one on top of the other, showcasing the rock on her ring finger. It draws Gerald’s eye.
“We thought you were abducted.” He glances at me, uncertainty rampaging across his face.
“You thought I was kidnapped?”
“Yes, Miss Rossi.” Gerald coughs into his fist. “We saw this gentleman yank you into a van and drive off.”
“Oh, that.” Her lashes flutter as she rolls her eyes. “It was nothing. We were just going out.” She leans back, crossing her arms over her chest. “Gerald, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve ditched you and your men. Sometimes, a girl just wants to have fun.”
“Miss Rossi, your mother is beside herself with worry.”
“And, here I am, all safe and sound.” Maria gives a flick of her fingers. “You can run along now. Tell her I’m perfectly fine.”