Page 44 of Relinquish

“It’s good to see you. I’m glad you could make it.”

“Me, too. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I am happy to see him. Now, to keep from being a spineless jellyfish. The rest of the guests have moved into the ballroom, leaving us alone.

“I was surprised Eddie could convince you to leave behind the little charade you’re playing.”

Never mind. “It’s not a charade. I have an actual job and my own place.”

He waves his hand dismissively. “Whatever. You know I didn’t raise you to work as some clerical halfway across the country. You must come to your senses and marry Trenton. You don’t understand the kind of people out there who would gladly take advantage of a girl like you.” He shakes his head. “Really? An administrative assistant?” he scoffs. “What do you do? Fetch people’s coffee all day and type up meeting minutes?”

My teeth grind together. Even though I’m not an administrative assistant, he’s managed to insult everyone who holds the job. “Sure, Dad. I fill coffee mugs all day.”

“Well, whatever you do, if you insist on continuing to live in the middle of nowhere, you will move to a nicer neighborhood. I had Eddie put money down on a townhouse on the northern end of town this morning. He researched the place. It’s a gated community with full-time security. A much better place for you to be living. But I’m not reinstating your allowance until you come to your senses and move home.”

Should I move back home? The world is full of people who are out to take advantage of others. Besides, Cade has decided I’m not worthy of dating, so what’s back there for me?

Until I open my mouth, I don’t know what I’m going to say. “I’m not moving. I’m fine where I am. I’m not fourteen years old, so I don’t need an allowance or for you to pay my rent. Besides, I have a bodyguard to keep me safe.” Is Cade even here? He's not your full-time babysitter, so why did you bring him up? To get my dad off my ass.

“The pumped-up Neanderthal that showed up here looking for you. He said he was your bodyguard. I was hoping that wasn’t a euphemism for boyfriend.”

My heart races. Cade is here, and he’s already met my father. Wonderful. I scan the crowd in search of him. I’d planned to keep them apart–one conversation and Cade is going to run for the hills. Not that we’re dating. Sadness settles over my body, weighing down my limbs. But there’s no use pretending I don’t want to be.

When he told me to lock the door after he left, I was a goner. It’s only a matter of time before I fall for him. “He’s not my boyfriend. He works at Truman Security and offered to act as my bodyguard.”

“Why do you need a bodyguard?” His eyes rake over me, looking for injuries.

“I had a minor break-in a few days ago. It wasn’t a big deal. The back door was pried open, but I wasn’t home, and nothing was taken. And my boss heard about the break-ins back here and was concerned someone might come after me because of you.”

“Lola, that’s even more of a reason for you to move back home.” His jaw tenses. “This is ridiculous. I insist that you at least move to a better neighborhood. And how good can this guy be? Why isn’t he here right now? Some bodyguard. I’ll get you one that’ll be smart enough to do the job.” Sarcasm drips off my father’s tongue.

“He started today.” Unless he’s already headed back to Kansas City.

“Ms. Sutherland. Mr. Sutherland.”

I shudder as the rumble of Cade’s deep baritone makes the skin at the base of my neck vibrate. He enters the foyer from the direction of the kitchen. How much of the conversation did he overhear? I twist and gawk at him as he continues to speak. I bite the inside of my lips to keep them together. Otherwise, my mouth would have dropped open.

“I tried to meet up with you before you came down, but your father thought I should wait with the rest of the staff. I think he’s afraid I’ll run off with the family jewels or something.” He smirks like he’s a cocky bastard, and he has every reason to be.

His custom-fit suit is one-size too small, accentuating every muscle and hard angle of his body. His hair has been cut short and on his neck is a large, prison ink tattoo of an ornate cross. How did he get that on there, and how is it staying on? Will it wash off? My mouth waters. More importantly, would he agree to make it permanent?

As his eyes rake over me, my body tingles in all the right spots, and I forget to breathe. He screams–scorching hot badass.

My fingers itch to trace every inch of his body until I reach what’s hidden under his zipper. Where’s my control? And my self-respect? Apparently, it went out the window when I put on the jade slip of a dress that hugs every curve because there’s no doubt sometime tonight, we’re going to spontaneously combust.

“You look like a criminal. Even though you have an invitation, my daughter didn’t say she was inviting a guest.” He glares at Cade like he’s something nasty stuck to the bottom of his shoe. “Or hiring a bodyguard.”

Cade nods. “Completely understandable, Sir. Your daughter wanted to wear her mother’s jewels for this special occasion.” He points at an image that hangs along with the staircase. The stunning antique ruby and diamond necklace and earring set that I slipped on at the last minute sparkled under the lights of my bedroom. “Our boss wouldn’t hear of her wearing the necklace without proper protection.”

It’s heavy and flamboyant compared to what I usually wear, but Cade’s text when I was getting ready makes complete sense now. These jewels have been targeted before and are the perfect alibi for his presence. Even better than a fake break-in of my house. Who would want my mismatched furniture anyway?

***

Cade

“They’re exquisite.” I touch one of the dangling earrings with the tip of my finger.

Lola’s shudder shoots a current of electricity straight to my dick. She’s stunning, and I want to skip the entire evening and bury myself deep inside her. Fuck the party, the suspects, and her father. Mr. Sutherland has another thing coming if he’s going to get rid of me. “I understand there have been previous attempts on the necklace and earrings she’s wearing.”

“Several years ago, there was.” He nods.

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