Page 103 of Hide and Keep

“The chef and the executive protection agent are essential, and like I’ve said before, non-negotiable.”

The pools in my eyes spill over.

Everything with him is non-negotiable. Maybe that’s why my mother didn’t interrupt him, because it wouldn’t have made a damn bit of difference anyway.

“This next month will be the most important month in Munreaux Motorcycles’ history. What you say, how you behave, could affect the future of thousands of lives, not just ours.” Hinging forward like a robot, my father places his hand on my hip again, his thumb bent and ready for my rebellion. “Do you want to see our family’s legacy run into the ground?”

Kind of.

When I don’t reply quick enough for him, his fingers begin gripping the material of my skirt.

“No, Father,” I rush out, more as a plea than an answer to his question, but he accepts it as one anyway, letting his hand fall away while straightening in his chair.

“Then act accordingly.” He picks up his fork to pierce a roasted cherry tomato. “Close your legs, shut your mouth, and reconcile yourself for this next phase of your life.”

“Phase?” I scoff, unable to stop myself. “You mean the rest of myfuckinglife?”

His fork clatters to his plate but I’m out of my seat and backed up several strides before he can grab hold of me.

“I’m going to be late,” I mumble as I rush through the door Crue and I entered, wiping angrily at my cheeks.

“You’re going the wrong way.”

“I need to grab something.”

Crue’s already in his Bronco by the time I make it out front, clearly disinclined to open the door for me, even after I make eye contact with him in his side mirror, quirking a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at him.

He does, however, look away like I’m not even here.

I wish I wasn’t. I fucking wish.

My hip is on fire, my makeup is streaked, and my bodyguard is ignoring me. Again.

At least I know what will get his attention.

I poke my head back into the foyer and call for Edwin to have my car brought around, then I cross my arms and wait. Less than a minute later, my Lucid Air Sapphire appears in front of me.

One of the techs gets out and hovers by the driver’s door.

“Here you are, Miss Munreaux. Would you like help getting inside?”

He’s a younger one, I’d say around Crue’s age, and only been here a couple months now, so we haven’t had the chance to properly get to know one another.

“Sure,” I say like I couldn’t possibly get into my own vehicle myself.

Before I reach his open hand though, I hear my bodyguard bark, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” giving me a shot of adrenaline straight to my bloodstream.

Lookie, lookie who we have here. Major Dangerfinallyreporting for duty.

With a stare so hard it could curdle milk, he sends the tech back to the garage. That’s better. Not quite Munreaux-like, but a vast improvement. All he had to do was lose the hat.

“Your car’s ugly,” I inform him when he turns that same look on me.

“Thanks to you.”

“We’re taking mine.”

“Why haven’t you said anything before now? You’ve been riding in it just fine.”

---