Page 19 of Protecting Bree
“Thanks for having me.”
“I said it before but…thank you. Seriously. You have no idea how much what you did means to me and my family. If there’s anything you ever need, it’s yours.”
Bree gave her a small smile. “They’re great kids. All of them. You guys are doing an amazing job.”
“It’s all Addison,” MacGyver said.
His wife rolled her eyes, looking so much like Ellory that Bree couldn’t help but laugh.
“Sorry. My daughter is obviously rubbing off on me,” she said.
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Smiley told MacGyver.
“I’ll walk you out,” the other man said in a firm tone.
The easygoing evening suddenly shifted for Bree. MacGyver’s words were a reminder that she wasn’t a woman on a casual date with her new boyfriend. Because Smileywasn’ther boyfriend, he was…what was he? Her protector, her bodyguard. But she had deeper feelings for him than she’d had for any man before. It was so confusing.
She walked out between Smiley—who had his hand on the small of her back, which she was already getting way too used to—and MacGyver. Both men’s heads were on swivels as if expecting the boogeyman to jump out from behind one of the bushes in the yard. Smiley got her settled in his truck and shut the door. He and MacGyver exchanged a few words, then he joined her inside the vehicle.
“Is everything all right?” she asked, as soon as he started the engine.
“Yes.”
“Would you tell me if it wasn’t?” she asked, a touch sarcastically.
He turned to her with a brow raised in surprise.
Bree sighed. “Sorry. That was rude.”
“No, it wasn’t. You’re allowed to feel what you feel.”
“I just…the night was so good. I forgot exactly who I was for a moment.”
Now Smiley was frowning. “Who you are…?”
“Yeah. A homeless stalker who forced myself into your life and the lives of your friends. I’m bringing danger toeveryone. Even Fiona and Julie, women I haven’t even met but who could be in this guy’s crosshairs because of me. I should leave, Smiley,” she finished, her tone low and anxious.
He just stared at her for a moment…then backed his truck up without a word and headed for his apartment.
Bree bit her lip and stared out the side window. He hadn’t disagreed with her—which spoke volumes. Maybe her blunt statement managed to put things in perspective for him.
She was a huge headache toeveryone. Smiley didn’twant to let her out of his sight, which had to be a pain in his ass. Hell, he’d had to ask his commander not to deploy him just so he could babysit her. The man couldn’t even do hisjobbecause of her.
By the time they arrived back at Smiley’s place, Bree was a mess.
When he turned off the engine, he got out, then motioned for her to climb across the front cab and exit on his side.
Still lost in her own misery, Bree didn’t even ask why. She simply did as he said. As soon as she was close enough, Smiley took her hand in his and helped her step out. He quickly walked them through the front door and into the elevator, all without saying a word.
Depression swamped Bree. This was it. He was obviously waiting until he got inside his apartment to tell her that she was right. She was too much of a liability. That she should go.
Feeling a sense of loss that hurt more than any actual breakup she’d ever had in her life, Bree watched him unlock his apartment door and swing it open for her. She stepped inside…
Then gasped slightly when Smiley took her shoulders in his hands and backed her against the closed, locked door.
“Listen to me, Bree. Are you listening?”
She stared up at a very frowny Smiley and nodded. She didn’t know where to put her hands. So she pressed her palms against the door behind her.
