Page 70 of Filthy Player

“This is Jaxon Hayes,” Beaux said, pointing his thumb at the guy. “He’s head of a security firm in Raleigh.”

“Security?” Dad re-adjusted himself in his recliner and his eyes went alert. “What happened?”

“Nothing yet,” Jaxon said. “And we’re going to keep it that way.”

“Jaxon, man,” Beaux said, but Dad cut him off.

“No. No pussy footing around with this. You got something to say, spit it out.”

I’d thought we were past the time frame when I had to worry about Dad aiming a gun at Beaux.

I might have been wrong.

“Go ahead,” Jaxon said.

Damn. Beaux’s look went forlorn and he flinched. He rubbed his chest like he was in pain and didn’t look at me. Like he couldn’t. His guilt was heavy and all of it sent a sinking weight to my stomach.

“I found out this morning that apparently, I have a stalker. A recent development.”

“A what?” I jumped to my feet and rushed him. “Oh my God.” My hands landed on his chest and he flinched again.

“Yeah.” He gripped my forearms and pushed me back. He pushed me away. The heck? “But it’s not me I’m worried about. It’s you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah.” He looked at Dad. Then he explained.

And every single word he spoke shot that terror through me, chilling me straight to the bones.

Behind me, Mike shouted and paced back in forth in front of the fireplace.

Dad’s face turned to stone.

Melanie had come and stood next to me, holding my hand, but I barely felt it.

The longer he talked, explaining the notes and photos, Dad and Mike cussed more and more, in volumes and in phrases I’d never heard my dad say around me.

When Beaux mentioned the police being involved, Melanie gasped.

I’d turned mute. I couldn’t say or do a damn thing except absorb everything Beaux was explaining. I also knew by his flat expression and cold tone he was hiding more.

“So why are you here?” Dad said, looking at Jaxon, and interrupting Beaux for at least the tenth time with questions. Who could blame the guy for being worried and pissed the hell off?

“Beaux hired me. I’m Paige’s new security guard.”

“You don’t go anywhere without him,” Beaux said, his tone abrupt.

“What?”

“Miss Halloway,” Jaxon said, his voice was firm. Warm, comforting, with a bite of viciousness. “I promise you, I’m the best there is. While the police do their job, mine is to keep you safe.”

“Safe?” My head whipped to Beaux. “You think I need protection?”

Had I not been listening? I might have blocked it all out. This wasn’t happening. Yesterday I was just a girl dating a guy who played football.

Today I had some crazed fan taking photos of me and sending threatening letters.

Of course I needed protecting. Or a safe house. Or a new name. A new life.

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