Page 27 of The Return
“Hey, thanks for coming,” I called with a wave.
Matt returned my greeting. Kinsey? I couldn’t tell, because he wore mirrored glasses that gave nothing away. He was always wearing those damn glasses. It was disconcerting. I knew I wanted Kinsey for Corey’s bodyguard. He was the kind of person who would shoot you first, then ask what you wanted.
After Matt took a seat at the counter, I gestured to an open stool. “Wanna sit?” I asked Kinsey.
He shook his head, choosing instead to fold his arms over his chest.
“Corey, let me introduce you. This is Matt Garrison, your driver. Anywhere you need to go, he will take you. And this is Kinsey, your new bodyguard.”
“No last name?” Corey asked. “So you’re like Cher or Lizzo?”
“It’s Huxley,” Kinsey snarled a moment before he grabbed Corey by the arm and pulled him close, then leaned in and took a deep inhale. I was about to bark at him to back the fuck off my mate, when he stood and nodded. “I have his scent now.”
“What the hell is going on?” Corey bitched, rushing back to where I stood. He glanced from me to the men. “I thought we were going to talk about this?”
“We did discuss it, and if you recall, I did tell you it was nonnegotiable.”
“Well, why the hell was he sniffing me?”
“He was learning your scent so he’ll always know where you are. Don’t bother trying to give him the slip, because Kinsey will find you, no matter where you’re hiding.”
Matt stuck out a hand, a sloppy grin on his face. I wasn’t sure about Matt. He seemed generally happy and eager to please, but more than little scattered. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Do you prefer Mister Brodie, Alpha Mate, or how should we address you?”
“Corey, please.”
Matt nodded enthusiastically. “Right. Thank you, Corey. It’s nice to meet you. I have the car parked in the lot out back. Let me give you my phone number so you can reach me. Anytime, day or night, if you need to go somewhere, call me and I’ll come pick you up.”
“I’llbe calling you,” Kinsey said, his voice giving no hint of emotion.
Matt’s eyes went wide. “Oh. Um…. Okay, then.”
Kinsey turned to face Corey. “I have very simple rules,” he said. “Alpha Mate or not, you will do what I say when I tell you. Don’t argue with me, don’t second guess me, don’t withhold information from me, and whatever you do, don’t piss me off.”
Corey’s gulp was audible. “Do you need my number too?”
“I already know everything about you. I received a complete dossier last night.”
Corey’s brows furrowed so deep, I could probably have planted potatoes there. “Jo—Alpha?”
I shrugged. “Sorry, but them’s the rules, kid. I had as much say in yours as I do in mine. Remember I told you that mates were sacrosanct? This is how the Council shows the importance of a mate. As I said earlier, being a true mate, your value to the pack and to wolves in general is greatly enhanced. That’s why they sent the best.”
Matt’s chest puffed out as he gave a big, bright smile. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was talking about Kinsey.
Corey turned and pinned Kinsey with a harsh stare. “And what time are youoff the clock?”
“My shift runs from 0300 to 1800. Overnight one of my men will stand watch outside your home as to give you and Alpha Brodie time alone.”
When pleading eyes turned my way, I smirked. “Don’t look at me. I can’t do anything about this. Between Kinsey’s guys and the ones who will be on my tail, we’re looking at not having any space unless we’re in the house.”
The house. Shit. I hadn’t told him that either. Oh, he was gonna gut me.
“Speaking of houses….”
He glared at me with narrowed eyes. “No. I am not moving. Ilikemy parent’s place. It’s my home.”
“Would it help if I said I was sorry?”
His lip jutted out. “Another thing I don’t have a choice in?”
