Page 68 of Protected

“Hey, baby. How are your friends?”

“Oh, they’re wonderful. I would love for the four of us to hang out sometime. I think we’re going to do dinner tomorrow night.”

“I might be back home tomorrow night so maybe I can catch you for an after-dinner drink. Sorry I couldn’t call you sooner. We hit the ground running, so I just got to my hotel. I miss you.”

“I miss you too. This bed is too big without you.”

“Just imagine I’m there holding you. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

“I can’t wait.” They said their goodbyes and Darci got ready for bed.

The next day, Darci sent out messages to Elise and Olivia. Olivia said she was busy, but Elise called her.

“So, David is letting me drive his new Porsche. Let’s go someplace fancy. I’ll drive us all.”

“I’m not sure, Elise. I have this stupid security detail. I’ll have to ask them, and they’ll probably want to ask Bradley. I’ll try to clear it though.”

“I’m glad they’re keeping you safe, Darci. Can’t they just follow us?”

“I’ll ask. I promise.”

When she ended the call, she struggled to decide if she should ask Bradley or the security guy. She took her chances with Savko

Turns out he wasn’t as against the idea as she thought he would be. “We’ll make it work, Miss Sanders. Especially since you’ll have Mr. Mercer with you. Just let us know where you want to go.” Darci nearly kissed him she was so happy.

After work, Peter and Carrie met her at Bradley’s apartment where Elise was going to pick them all up. They were going to a swanky restaurant in a fancy car, so they got dressed up.

As they pulled up to the valet station and climbed out of the car, Darci froze when she got a look at the man behind the podium.No it’s not him.The hair color was wrong, but the face seemed eerily familiar. He made eye contact with her and for a moment she thought he looked surprised, as if he recognized her too. She shook her head. She was being paranoid.

“Darci? You OK, Kitten?” Peter asked.

“Yeah, sorry, just thought I saw a ghost. The valet just looks like someone I use to know.” Elise was handing him the keys. Peter eyed her carefully, as if he didn’t quite believe she was OK.

“Sweet ride,” the attendant said gruffly as he took the keys from Elise. Darci blew out a breath and relaxed. The voice was all wrong too. She needed to go see Dr. Martin. She hadn’t been to a therapy appointment since before Marlie died.

“You know him?” Elise asked as the man drove off to park the car.

“No. He just looked a little like someone from the past. I’m fine.”

They headed in to wait for their table. Elise had gotten them reservations or more likely, Elise’s boyfriend had gotten them reservations. He had more money than sense and spoiled Elise with pretty much anything she wanted. The four of them enjoyed a fun evening eating delicious food and drinking expensive wine. When they came out of the restaurant, it was storming. Peter slipped an arm around her. “Need us to go home with you, Kitten?”

She smiled and leaned into him. “I’m fine, Peter. It’s not storming hard enough to knock out the power.”

Elise had consumed one too many cocktails at dinner, so Peter offered to drive her home saying he and Carrie would catch a cab back to their house. Darci rode home with the security team. They went through their routine check of the apartment, and Darci went to bed. But she tossed and turned until the storm calmed down.

• • •

Bradley hated being away from Darci. It had been less than seventy-two hours since he kissed her, and it felt like he was having withdrawals. Thankfully, he was only a car ride away from seeing her again. He’d hoped to get home the previous evening, but they’d gotten another donor meeting so he’d extended his trip.

In the backseat of a black town car, he thought about texting her to let her know he was almost home. Instead, he decided to surprise her. When he checked in with her security, they told him she was at his place with her friends, Peter and Carrie. He hoped they were still there by the time he arrived. The couple seemed important to her, and he wanted to spend more time with the man he was paying to protect Darci.

When he arrived at the apartment, he had to resist the urge to jog to the main entrance. He said goodnight to the driver and nodded politely to the doorman. Unlocking his door, he frowned at what he saw. Darci was in the middle of the couch with her head on Peter’s shoulder. Carrie was snuggled up to her on the other side.What the hell?He didn’t like the pang of jealousy that flared in him. Darci turned her head in his direction when she heard him come in.

“Bradley!” she exclaimed excitedly. “I’m so glad you’re home. Come join us.” He did his best to keep the scowl off his face as he set his bag and briefcase down and walked into the living room. Darci paused the movie they had on and stood to give him a hug.

She smelled delicious, and for a moment his jealousy disappeared. “I missed you, baby,” he whispered into her ear.

“I missed you too. You know Peter and Carrie, right?” Bradley released her and offered his hand to both of them.

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