Page 8 of Lethal Beauty

Gia sat up in the back seat, looking behind us at the black SUV. “That’s one of Dad’s, I think,” she said finally, flopping back in her seat. “Usually, he has someone watching me if he’s not here.” She snickered. “Though it beats me why he did today. He doesn’t have anyone assigned to me if I’m with one of the uncles.”

I bit my lip, unsure if they assigned the detail despite me or because of me. I would never put my niece in jeopardy, but the fact of the matter was I’d been getting more threats against me lately. Not for killing people, because, yeah, no one knew that part, but because of the modeling gig. Weirdos tended to fixate on pretty women, especially when that face was plastered across every known magazine and fashion line. They latched on to you and didn’t want to let go. And the issues with Oliver lately had likely been leaked to Gideon, at least, if not all of them, despite my insistence on the contrary. Had Gideon stuck us with a babysitter as a precaution for that reason, or did he just not see me as being able to take care of myself and Gia the way he trusted my brothers to be able to?

Because either way sucked balls to think about, I kept my mouth shut. “Well, they’re in for a pretty boring day today, aren’t they?” I winked at her. “Because it’s not like we did anything but hang out with Matteo, get beautified, then swung by Sweet Nothings for ice cream before going back to my house to pig out on more junk food and binge-watch some awesome movies.”

Gia smiled. “Yep. Can I get nail polish this time?”

I cringed, thinking of Gideon. I didn’t want the poor man to have an aneurysm, and she was only ten.

“Only if it’s clear.” I was firm, ready for an argument, but Gia only nodded. That was the great thing about the kid—she rarely bucked the system, and even then, only if she truly thought that whatever it was she was railing against was not fair. Not in a fit of pre-teen angst, but truly thought an injustice was occurring. She was a hell of a lot more level-headed than I was at her age—my brother’s influence, for sure. Gideon always had to think about a situation from all angles before reacting. He was a gruff, borderline rude jerk most of the time, but he was a fair, honest, and caring one. Which was why his daughter’s comments that morning had been such a direct hit.

I mentally prepared for the torture of having my hands and feet touched in the name of preserving my cover with my brothers and spending some quality time with my niece—who actually enjoyed it. I hoped she enjoyed my company more than the beauty treatment, but I was too scared to look too closely for fear that I had somehow corrupted her and was actually turning her into a girly girl.

A few hours later, stuffed with some outstanding tiny little cakes and sparkling grape juice—no way would I drink a drop of alcohol when entrusted with the care of my niece—we climbed back into the vehicle. I evaluated my nails as my hands wrapped around the steering wheel. The salon kept a bottle on hand, knowing it was my favorite color. Having Alessia Accardi, one of the top models in the country, frequent their establishment was a major score. But if coming in with almost no notice, having all-we-can-eat cakes, a bottle of sparkling juice served in champagne flutes, and a shade of just the right color red—a color I’d originally picked because it’s the exact hue of freshly spilled blood—was all I asked for, I didn’t think I was being too demanding.

We both decided we were too full from our spa meal to do ice cream justice, so we ordered to-go, taking it home to eat with our movie. Our ever-present shadow followed, doing a good job of being visible without intruding. A.T. was the best. It didn’t surprise me they were exemplary. I pulled into the garage, waiting for the door to close completely before unlocking the car doors so we could exit. Gia waited, holding the bags as I disarmed the alarm and unlocked the entryway, then made herself at home in my living room. I grabbed the bag that had two containers of Rocky Road. “You pick the movie. I’ll be right back,” I called over my shoulder.

Walking out the front door, I didn’t hide my destination. The SUV was still parked at the curb—the driver was on lookout while it looked like the passenger was taking a break, fidgeting with something that was likely a cell phone. They both jumped when the driver saw me, and he said something to his companion before rolling down the window.

“Hey, y’all. I know you probably came prepared with snacks and drinks and such, but I picked up some of the best ice cream this side of the state.” I shook the bag for emphasis.

“That’s right kind of you, ma’am,” the driver said, smiling in appreciation, though he looked uneasy. I imagined it wasn’t often that anyone acknowledged a security tail, let alone gave them anything.

He reached for the bag, but I pulled it back. “I have a question if you don’t mind.” I saw the men exchange looks. “Settle down. I’m not going to ask for anything that will get you in trouble.” I resisted the urge to sigh. “Are you here for my niece or me?”

They both froze. “Uh, I don’t think that’s something we’re authorized—“

I cut him off. “Look, I could find out with a phone call to my brothers. Hell, I could send Gia down the street and see if you follow her or stay here. I’m not asking for state secrets here.”

“Who says we aren’t supposed to be watching both of you?” the passenger spoke for the first time, his New York accent harsh compared to my deep Texas dialect.

I snorted. “Shovel that load of bullshit to someone who wasn’t literally raised at A.T. I might not run the company like my brothers, but I grew up there. There’s only ever one primary. If you were protecting both of us, I’d have two cars sitting out here, not one.”

For a moment, they considered what I said. They might be good at their jobs, but I knew the fear of pissing any of my brothers—their bosses, bosses, boss, or whatever—was enough for them to consider before answering. They must have realized that what I was saying was true because the driver muttered, “You, they assigned us to you.”

I absorbed the information, then handed them the bag with little fanfare. “Thank you, gentlemen,” I said simply. “Now, the plan for the rest of the day is to stay here, eat ice cream, and watch movies with my niece. I see no reason for you two to stay out here, seeing as you can’t even see the house from here. I’ve set my alarm, locked my doors, and have a fully charged cell phone that is never more than a foot away from me.” I waved the device in question. “That being said, I didn’t ask for a protection detail, but I can guess where the order came from, so I’m not going to blame you for waiting for permission from someone with a—“ I cut myself off, not wanting my mouth to unload on these two men simply because they had the misfortune of being in front of me when I was having a temper tantrum. I reminded myself to breathe. Patting the car door, I said, “Y’all have a good night now,” with as much sweetness as I could muster before walking back into the house without a backward glance.

I heard the movie before I even stepped foot into the living room. Not at all surprised at Gia’s movie pick, I grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around both of us before sitting down and taking the ice cream she handed me. Pigging out on sugar and happily ever afters, I smiled when she fell asleep before the movie ended. Gideon was right in saying she had more energy than she knew what to do with, but two hours of exercise, followed by a major sugar crash, would knock out anyone. Struggling not to yawn, I picked up my phone.

ME: MY CHI FEELS IMBALANCED. THINK WE CAN GET SOME MEDITATION IN TOMORROW?

MATTEO: YOU KNOW ME. ALWAYS UP FOR SOME MORE BALANCE AND HARMONY.

ME: CAN I MEET AT YOUR PLACE? I HAVEN’T HAD TIME TO GO SHOPPING YET, AND I’LL WANT BREAKFAST AFTER.

MATTEO: ISN’T SHOPPING WHAT YOU WOMEN LIVE FOR? BESIDES, WHO SAYS I’LL WANT TO COOK?

I sent him an emoji of a middle finger before setting my phone on the counter. I was just about to turn off the television when my home alarm chirped, letting me know someone was in the driveway. Pressing a button on the remote, I pulled up the feed in front of the house. Gideon, as expected. I could just make out the SUV, still parked at the curb at the base of the drive. Letting my anger build, I waited until Gideon unlocked the door, making him use his personal code to turn off the alarm before I got off the couch to meet him in the entryway.

“How did it go?” he asked, and I shushed him.

“Gia fell asleep on the couch,” I said smugly, though I felt little of it.

His surprise at that should have amused me, but instead, it poured salt into a wound. He didn’t know me as well as he thought he did.

“Any reason why I shouldn’t be mad at you?” I asked, letting my temper rise a bit.

Gideon cocked his head, clearing his expression. “Can you be more specific?” he asked, and I gritted my teeth. Damn lawyer, never could give me a straight answer.

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