Page 43 of The Bodyguard
“The voice was distorted. But he said that I couldn’t run away and that soon we would be together.”
“Is that what you’re doing back in Dusty Creek? Running away?”
She fell back down onto the couch. “I guess. I’m also trying to figure my life out. I didn’t want to do the show anymore. I knew that. It’s a risk, but I have enough savings that I thought it was worth it to take a step back and think about what I wanted for my future.”
That didn’t make sense. What risk? Sabrina was a King. “You keep saying that, about the money and the show. Like you had to work.”
“Uh, yeah. You think Hank was going to fund my life in LA? Hell, no. He had a condo there and even that was off-limits. He was as pissed at me for leaving as he was at everyone else. Why do you think he left everything to Clayton? Oh. I guess you didn’t know that.”
I shook my head and cursed softly under my breath. “Hank didn’t leave his children this ranch, his fortune?”
She snorted. “Oh, he left it to his child. His male child.”
“Dylan.” I had only met Dylan one time. He’d come out to the ranch for a summer, and there had been a Fourth of July blowout my family and I had attended. I knew his story, but I didn’t really know Dylan. Which I suppose pretty much summed up his family’s relationship with him. Dylan was like ether. There was always a whiff of him around but you never actually saw him.
“Dylan has until the wedding to come home to claim King Industries. If he doesn’t, then it all goes to Clayton. It’s a lot of money to walk away from but we all believe Dylan is never coming back. If he doesn’t, Clayton inherits everything.”
This time I stood. Too irritated to sit. “Fuck me. Hank really was an old bastard wasn’t he? It wouldn’t have occurred to me he wouldn’t have protected you. So all that time in LA, you were on your own?”
She shrugged. “It wasn’t like I worked the streets, Garrett. Relax. I had rich friends who put me up. I had tons of clothes and jewelry I could pawn. And I was Sabrina King. If I walked into a store and tried on something that made me look fabulous, nine times out of ten they would just let me have the clothes as long as I said where they came from. I was a walking advertisement. When I got the show that only increased. I guess I didn’t think of that when I walked away. Now I’ll have to buy my Choos at retail price!”
“Can we focus on what’s important?” I snapped.
She pouted. “You mean on the guy whowants me to be his. I would rather not.”
“Stop pretending, Brin. You’re scared. Legitimately.”
“I am. But I told you I have a plan.”
“And what’s that?”
“I’m going to hire a bodyguard. Somebody who knows how to shoot andwillshoot. It’s the only way I’ll feel safe.”
I didn’t like it. The idea of some store-bought cop with hulking muscles and a big gun looming around her all the time.
Why? Why didn’t I like that?
I didn’t think on it too hard. I just rolled with what my gut was telling me. And it was saying that there was a better way to protect Brin.
“I’ll do it.”
“You’ll do what? Find me a bodyguard?”
“Better. I plan tobeyour bodyguard.”
