Page 13 of Daddy Defender
I curse under my breath. That’s no innocent bystander. And I don’t think it’s some weirdo either. He knew to look away, to not make eye contact with me.
The way he bolted confirms it—someone’s got eyes on Bodie, and they’re not playing games.
My mind races, connecting dots.
His panic in the bar, that message that shook him. Whoever’s after him, they’re organized, bold enough to tail him to a backwater like Sunny Ferns.
Cartel? Smugglers?
Is this my Night Ops background going into overdrive? I’m not willing to leave it to chance. I’ve seen enough. For all I know, he’ll be returning in minutes and be bringing backup with him.Either way, he’s a threat, and I’m going to find out who he was too.
But right now, I’ve got more immediate matters to resolve.
What matters is Bodie’s a sitting duck in that van...
I turn toward the van, ready to check on Bodie, when the side door flies open.
Bodie storms out, his sneakers slamming the gravel, eyes blazing. He’s all fire, hands balled into fists, his oversized jacket flapping as he stomps toward me.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Bodie snaps, voice sharp enough to cut. “I told you not to follow me!”
I cross my arms, patience wearing thin.
“Not stalking, boy. Protecting,” I bark. “You see that truck that just peeled out? That wasn’t some tourist doing some late night stargazing.”
Bodie’s eyes widen, just for a second, before he masks it with a scowl.
“You’re full of it,” Bodie says, stomping his foot on the ground. “You don’t know anything about me or what’s going on.”
“I know you’re scared shitless,” I shoot back, stepping closer, towering over his slender frame. “I know you got a message in that bar that made you look like you saw a ghost. And I know that truck was watchingyou, not me. You wanna keep pretending you’ve got this, or you wanna stay alive?”
He flinches, but his chin lifts, defiant.
“I don’t need you playing hero, Henry,” Bodie says, his eyes averting my gaze. “I can handle myself.”
“Handle yourself?” I scoff, my voice low, edged with frustration. “You’re parked in the middle of nowhere with no plan, no backup, and someone circling you like a shark. You’re not handling jack.”
Bodie’s lips part, like he’s got a comeback, but nothing comes out.
He shifts, one hand on his hip, pouting like a kid caught breaking rules.
I look behind and see his van door swinging wide open, that walrus stuffy is on the bed, a mess of colorful blankets and old pillows.
I can’t help myself.
My Daddy side stirs, wanting to pull him close, set boundaries, make him feel safe. But Bodie’s fighting me every step, and I’m about done with his attitude…
“Let me check your van,” I say, keeping my tone even, though my patience is fraying. “If someone’s tracking you, they might’ve bugged it. Takes two minutes, and it could save your ass.”
Bodie’s eyes narrow, searching mine, that pout deepening.
“You think I’m just gonna let you poke around my van?” Bodie shouts. “What, so you can plant something yourself? Steal my briefs? Or worse?Jeez. You must think I was born yesterday.”
I clench my jaw, temper flaring.
“You’re paranoid, and it’s gonna get you hurt,” I say, doing my best not to lose my cool. I’ve worked with difficult clients in thepast, but this is something else. “I’m trying to help, but if you keep pushing, I’ll walk away and let you deal with whoever’s out there.”
Bodie freezes, his bravado cracking, just for a moment.
