Page 30 of Their Property
“Let her go, man. You’re making us jealous,” T-Bone cracked.
Grudge responded by holding me tighter and turning us away. The ensuing laughter and jokes from the others were short-lived as I saw a very determined Nathan storming toward us over Grudge’s shoulder.
Oh please, no. He’s not going to try some knight-rescuing-a-damsel bullshit, is he?
I pulled out of Grudge’s embrace, but the damage was already done.
“Miss Vance, are you alright?” Nathan stopped short a few feet away, nostrils flaring as he looked over at Grudge distastefully. “Is there a reason why this man was touching you?”
“Yes! Yes, everything’s fine.” I stepped between him and Grudge while T-Bone and Dyno stood from the fountain to flank me on either side. The intimidation tactic worked, and Nathan took a step back from my looming bodyguards. “Thank you for your concern, but all is well,” I said, offering him a smile.
“You’re sure?” Nathan stared at the two men sandwiching me. “I heard you were…distressed enough to leave a meeting early. So I wanted to check on you.”
I barely suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. “I’m fine, as I said. But thank you for being thoughtful.”
He didn’t seem satisfied with that and continued to size up my bodyguards. All three of them stared back, stone-faced and unflinching.
“Miss Vance,” he tried again. “Might I have a word with you in private?”
“No.”
The single word came from T-Bone, making Nathan startle while sending a delighted thrill up my spine.
“I wasn’t askingyou,” Nathan scoffed.
“Our orders are to stay with Ambassador Vance at all times,” Dyno said, his tone oozing politeness in a way that was clearly mocking. “Unless she dismisses us.”
Nathan returned his gaze to me, eyebrows lifting with a clear expectation. I’d already had enough with men pushing me around for the day, and that one facial expression was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Fuck. You.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Treasury Secretary, but my guards will stay beside me. If there’s something you’d like to discuss with me, you’re welcome to leave a message with my assistant and we can set up a meeting.”
Behind me, Grudge laughed softly at the shock on Nathan’s face. I struggled to keep my own expression blankly pleasant.
“Furthermore,” I went on. “I’d appreciate it if you’d address my guards with respect. They’re performing an important duty and are risking their own lives to protect me. Please don’t speak down to them or insinuate that they’re behaving inappropriately.”
Nathan’s mouth flopped open, eyes blinking in disbelief. “I…what…”
“I think the words you’re looking for are ‘I’m sorry’.” Dyno smirked.
Nathan’s gaze snapped to him, lips curling before thinking better of it, then pressed his mouth tightly closed.
“I apologize if I caused any offense,” he said stiffly, inclining his head toward me. “It wasn’t my intention.”
“Here’s a tip for future reference.” T-Bone leaned forward, towering over the younger man, and I held my breath. “The ambassador isn’t a helpless damsel who needs a hero to save her. We’ll do our job. Her safety is not your concern. Give her, and us, the same respect you would give anyone else in your workplace, and we’ll get along just fine.”
Nathan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, head craning back to meet T-Bone’s eyes. “Understood. Sir.” He looked at me once more and jerked his chin down in a nod. “Have a nice day, Miss Vance.”
With that, he turned and hurried in the opposite direction. His gait was just short of running, and it was almost comical. At least the Sons waited until he was out of earshot before they burst out laughing.
“Always scaring off the poor little bitch boys, T.” Dyno sighed as he leaned into his partner affectionately.
“Good.” T-Bone draped an arm around Dyno’s shoulders. “We don’t need any of them around us, or the little lady. Although…” Grinning, he stroked his short beard, and I wondered what it would feel like if I did the same thing. “No one’s called mesirin a long time. I might be into that.”
Grudge huffed and poked his side in a playful, chiding gesture.
“What? I won’t go into pornographic detail in front of the lady, I’m just saying.”
