Page 18 of Bodyguard Daddy

Lilibet hosts her swanky parties at her family’s mansion out in the desert. There’s no one around for miles, and it’s easy to see where you’re going with a ton of cars parked on the compound.

A twenty-minute drive outside of Cucina has us there, and my taxi takes off after leaving me at the security gate. One mention of my name and everything opens up for me with a concierge who drives me from the gate to the home’s entrance in a golf cart. There are limos and luxury cars surrounding a fountain with an outstanding light show on display.

Classical music plays throughout the property as I head inside where a man in an expensive suit opens the door for me to see nearly a hundred people talking amongst themselves. However, the first person to catch my eye is Chad Abrams.

9

COLLIN

By the time I finish up at the bank, my annoyance levels are high, but I can’t wait to get back home to Cory.

That’s a thought.

Home is with her and it doesn’t matter where we are. As we grow together, I’ll have to learn to let go, but I won’t compromise when it comes to her safety. Maybe we can head to that party after I get back.

Inside my car, I notice my phone sitting on the passenger seat, which makes me growl with frustration. Leaving it in the car is stupid, but I’m in a hurry to settle this invoice business with Bjorn. What kind of parent asks for their money back after paying for a college education?

It’s not like she isn’t going to put her degree to use. Shit, even if she doesn’t, she followed his decisions without faltering or deviating from the plan until today.

I can see the blinking light for the voicemail, and my heart immediately plummets into the pit of my stomach when I hear Cory’s voice saying, “Hey, I’m running over to Lilibet’s to show my face. I owe her for dropping out of the campaign season. I’m sure I’ll be back before you get home, but just letting you know. Call me.”

It’s subtle, and I want to throw her over my lap for disobeying my orders, but this will be a lesson she has to learn when dealing with me. There will be plenty of time for that. Right now, I just need to get to this party, only I don’t know where it is.

I head back to the building to see if she indeed made it back before me. It doesn’t take much time to get there, but her apartment and the one I’m staying in are both empty.

Shit.

After checking my phone again to make sure there aren’t any messages I missed, I call Cory only for it to go straight to her voicemail. The only option left for me to do is to head downstairs and stop by the security station.

The guard tells me they called a taxi for Cory about 20 minutes ago. Annoyance escalates to anger as I try to keep my cool, grab the address from the security guard, and make my way out to some mansion in the desert.

The drive out to Lilibet’s party gives me a lot to think about. Expecting too much too soon out of Cory makes her do spontaneous and unsafe things, like taking off with the belief she’ll return before I notice. Her honesty will save her a few extra swats unless, of course, she likes it.

My mind drifts to our escapades earlier today, where she’s far more into the spanking than either of us probably imagined. I can’t wait to bring her that salacious joy again and again. By the time I arrive at the desert home, I’m ready to see her and to bring her home.

I’m expecting security to give me an issue, but when I give the men at the gate my name, they usher me toward the valet stand. Inside of the massive home, I can’t help but scan every face, hoping to see Cory.

Despite my efforts to blend in, it’s difficult for me to disappear into the sea of people. A few women throw curious glances my way. Their dates size me up but avoid confrontation as they yank their women away from me as if I’m going to seduce each and every one of them on the spot.

I don’t look friendly. I don’t look like one of these swanky campaign donors. I’m still in a suit and walking around trying to find my girl amongst this controlled madness of political fundraising.

However, there’s no way to avoid people speaking to me. I give in to quick greetings, weaving in and out of donors bragging about how large their contribution is. The moment I see a familiar face, I can’t stop myself from making my own path to Lilibet.

By the time I reach her, she’s sporting the same pout from the other night. Disappointment etches itself into every crinkle and creases around her eyes. Frustration is setting in as she gestures to an area behind her. I follow her line of sight to a flight of stairs.

The closer I get, the louder Lilibet complains to a woman who looks like an older version of the high-strung politician’s daughter. It has to be her mother or her sister. Either way, she’s related to Cory’s frenemy.

Lilibet is trying to keep her voice down, but it’s impossible not to hear her. “I can’t believe he took her in that room. They’ve been in there for like ten minutes now. Why is Corgi so much more important than me to Chad? I’m the one who invited both of them, and she promised me this wouldn’t happen.”

When she sees me approaching, the look of shock on her face isn’t surprising, but the shock fading into a leer concerns me.

Lilibet storms toward me with determination, jabbing her finger into my chest and shout-whispering, “Do you have any idea what Corgi is doing withmyboyfriend?”

I drown out the rest of her words and storm toward the flight of stairs, taking two at a time up to the second floor. There’s a railing that allows the guests to look out over the reception area below.

Faint noises of arguing float over the music playing, chatter, and I find it pulling me to Cory. I know it’s her and the fact that some guy trapped her in a room has me seeing red.

The door is open, but there’s a crowd of people blocking the entrance. By the time I shove my way through, I see Cory. Some man with shiny blonde hair is caging his arms around her while others in the room appear to be ignoring them. The closer I get, the angrier I become.

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