Page 51 of Unguarded

“Fancy meeting you here,” Cash deadpans, sliding almost close enough to touch me in the moon-shaped booth.

I lean back against the worn brown leather, folding my arms across my chest and leveling him with a glare. “We happened to be enjoying our time with Claude and Jean before your rude interruption. You owe us anapology.”

Cash smirks, raising his hand to signal for the nearby waiter.

The middle-aged man approaches us, eyeing the newcomers. “What can I get you, gentlemen?”

“Two bourbons, doubles. And another round for the ladies.” Cash throws out another unnerving smile.

Since I’ve known him, he wears a permanent frown.

Brooks reaches for Ember’s hand. “We were really worried. Why’d you leave without a detail?”

Ember looks down sheepishly, telling them that this was clearly my idea.

Cash looks over at me. I raise my chin stubbornly.

You’re not in charge of me.I try to laser the message into his gaze.

“You think you can just walk around, do whatever you want, when everyone on this damn planet wants a piece of you?” He gestures around the bar. His words spew out of his mouth like poison, but he doesn’t care how much it hurts.

I lean forward, gripping the seat with my fingertips. “Why do you even fucking care so much about what happens to me? What’s the worst he could do, take me back to his apartment and kiss me once before freaking out and running away like a coward?” My voice rises higher than I intended, drawing stares and attention from other bar patrons.

The waiter returns, dropping the drinks down before dipping out as quickly as he can. I pick up the glass of rosé, draining it far too quickly and signaling for another. I relish in the burn down my throat, craving the distraction of the tingling in my body.

“Maybe we should continue this conversation back at the hotel.” Brooks sips on his drink slowly.

Ember nods in agreement.

Their calm demeanor seems to register with Cash. He finishes his bourbon in one long drag.

He draws himself up, sitting up straighter. “You’re right. We should return to the hotel and discuss this matter.”

I gape at him. He can try to control me all day long. I’m not in the mood.

“You boys have fun walking back. I’m not leaving.”

Brooks and Ember look at each other before glancing back at us with uncertainty. Brooks sighs, tapping away on his phone.

“What are you telling Fidel?” Cash bites out.

“That we’re staying here, casually grabbing a drink nearby. Danny is back at the hotel.”

“We really didn’t think it would be a big deal. We stayed close to the hotel. Monroe had her sunglasses and hat on until, like, two minutes before you guys got here.” Ember tries to lighten the mood.

“Right, and those guys were just innocently buying you drinks with no idea who they were talking to.” Brooks rolls his eyes.

Ember shrugs. “They didn’t seem to recognize her. It’s France. She’s not as well known here.”

Brooks shakes his head. “You’re kidding yourself. This was reckless. Not to mention the stalker.”

Cash turns to me, leaning forward so that he’s only inches from my face. “What the hell were you thinking? Are you actively trying to get taken?”

My mouth drops open at his words.He really thinks that low of me.

“Oh, yeah, I was praying that they’d kidnap us. Now you know my deepest, darkest desires.” My voice drips with sarcasm.

The waiter returns again with a full glass of wine for me. He removes the empty one.

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