Page 26 of The Desperate Warrior

“Civil,” he repeated, checking his watch. “Because Brock should be here in—” he squinted “—five or six minutes.”

Her mouth fell open. “What? Five or six minutes?” She touched her hair in horror. “How could you not warn me?”

He smirked. “Don’t care a whit about getting him back, do you, sweetheart?”

“This isn’t about getting Brock back,” she growled, reaching for her crutches. “This is about making him regret what he lost.”

Dad chuckled. “I hear ya. Don’t get your drawers in a wad.”

She shot him a blistering look. “You’re not as funny as you think you are.”

“Of course I am,” he grinned, pulling out his phone. “That’s why you, your mom, and Zoe love me.” He winked. “I’ll stall him so you can get yourself dolled up. Let’s make him really regret losing you.”

Dad could joke around all he wanted, but it wasn’t funny. Not in the slightest. “Oh, don’t worry,” she raged. “He will. Big time.”

Jules clasped her hands tightly in her lap and tried to keep her expression stone-faced as Brock strode into the room. She might be able to control her features, but she couldn’t keep her heart from pounding wildly in her chest.

Always the host, Dad stood and crossed the room in quick steps, gripping Brock’s hand in a firm shake and patting him heartily on the back. “Thanks for coming over, son. I appreciate you dropping everything to come to Fort Worth.”

Brock nodded. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

His gaze shifted to Jules. The depth of emotion in his dark eyes caused a lump to form in her throat. Quickly, she swallowed it down. She had to be strong. He’d hurt her, and she needed to show him she no longer cared—not about him, not about the past. He was here because Dad hired him. Because protecting people came easier to Brock than risking his heart.

“How’re you doing?” he asked.

“Still on this side of the dirt.”

His eyes widened in surprise, and then he chuckled. “I guess that’s one way of putting it.” He frowned. “You’re on crutches.”

“Yeah, I have a hairline fracture in my pelvis. I’m supposed to avoid putting too much weight on it. I’ll be on crutches for a few more days.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“Me too.” At least the abrasions on her cheeks were almost gone. She’d looked pretty rough initially.

He looked like he wanted to come closer, maybe even give her a hug, but something in her expression must’ve stopped him. Instead, he took the chair across from her, beside where Dad had just sat down again.

“Thanks again for coming.” Dad switched into business mode. “It’ll be good to have you across the street so you can keep an eye on Jules.” His normally ruddy expression turned crimson as his jaw hardened, causing his jowls to jiggle slightly. “We need to make sure that lunatic doesn’t get another shot at hurting her.”

“We don’t even know for sure that Steve was behind the hit and run,” Jules pointed out.

Dad held up a hand. “No, we don’t. But like I told you earlier, I’m not taking any chances.” He turned to Brock. “Which is why I hired the best of the best.”

“I’ll do everything I can to protect her,” Brock said solemnly.

“Good,” Dad nodded. He sat back, stroking his chin. “I have to say, your boss, Sutton Smith, is certainly an impressive fellow.”

“He is,” Brock agreed.

Jules cut into the conversation. “When did you talk to Brock’s boss?” She didn’t appreciate Dad and Brock leaving her out of the loop.

“A few days ago,” Dad answered. “I wanted to get a feel for the chain of command so that I’ll know how Brock operates.” He looked at Brock. “It’s nice to know that you have such a stellar team behind you.”

Dad was notorious for covering all of the bases. Jules shouldn’t have been surprised that he would contact Sutton Smith, but she was.

“Here’s how this will go.” Dad’s voice was laced with the authority of one accustomed to being in charge. “It’ll be a whole lot easier for you to protect Jules if you pose as her boyfriend.”

A startled laugh escaped her lips. “Seriously? You’re trying that again?”

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