Page 44 of Protect Your Queen

Jasmine, like her brother, was obviously a killer. They had that look of people who had not only killed but had covered their tracks as well. That was the real danger.

“Suck it up, sweetheart,” she smirked, but didn’t look away from her nails. “And consider wearing a shirt next time.”

“In my defense, I had a shirt on until I got myself stitched.”

“Was that your one and only shirt?” she asked her voice artificially pitching high to sound feminine and friendly.

“No but…”

“No, you’re obviously shirtless now because you think someone wants to see it. News flash. No one does.” She turned around and with a finger wave over her shoulder, declared, “I’m going to my room. See you at breakfast.”

When her door closed behind her, Jareth turned to me with a slight smile. “She has a point.”

“You guys are a tough crowd.”

Chapter fifteen

The Autumn Leaves

Jestiny

It was a wonder how I was able to sleep, but I did. Despite my brother dismissing me to bed like I was a child, I went to bed happy. I felt a tingle in my lips, as I craved the kiss that Chris and I didn’t share.

I had never seen a man as beautiful as Christopher Ambrose, sitting shirtless at a piano, telling me stories about music legends.

The only thing that’s keeping you back is the six inches of real estate behind those haunted eyes.

No one had ever said anything like that to me before. Had he meant it? Or was he just… attracted to me? I knew that attraction made liars out of men. Was that what made Christopher say those things?

Normally, I’d dress for breakfast. But I didn’t this morning. I went out in my shorts and camisole and sat at the table eating yogurt, waiting to catch a glimpse of my handsome bodyguard.

When he finally came in, he paused at the door, a smile spreading over his lips. He was adjusting the cuff of his shirt, and I felt a strong urge to get up and help him. He opened his mouth to speak before we were rudely interrupted.

“I’m coming with you to your photoshoot, and I’m staying beside you for the rest of the day.” Jareth burst in, already dressed and styled, with a protein shake in hand. “I will stay with you until the rest of the bodyguards arrive.”

“More bodyguards? I already have two!” I protested.

Jareth paused in his movements. Then he put his protein shake down on the counter, and carefully said, “Brian is gone. He…”

“You fired him?” I interrupted, coming to my feet. “No! You couldn’t have. He was…”

“Calm down! I…” Jareth tried to talk over me, but for once, I didn’t want to be silenced.

“How could you? How could you? I can’t believe you would do that! It wasn’t his fault –”

“He wasn’t fired.” Chris’ voice stopped my tirade. “He has been wanting to retire for a while but wouldn’t, until he felt you had the people around you to keep you safe. He cares about you, little Songbird. The last thing he did was make me promise that I’d keep you safe.”

Jareth scowled from the counter, as Chris came towards me, his right hand – the scarred one – extended.

“That, and he wants to know where to get a ticket to your album premiere.”

I looked at his outstretched hand and placed my fingers in it.

I thought that maybe he’d pull me to him, but he didn’t. Instead, he escorted me backwards, lowering me back into my seat. He gave my shoulders a squeeze, before he stepped back, putting enough room for Jesus between us.

“He wants to bring his wife and introduce her to you. I thought that was nice.”

It was nice. But my heart still sank low. Another person that I had counted on had gone. That was one less person I cared about that I would see in my day.

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