Page 12 of Under Kid’s Protection

“Kelsey’s here,” she said and purposely bumped shoulders with her friend. “We’ll be alright.”

Kid’s skepticism was written all over his face. Lifting his chin, he scanned the bar. He curled his lip, and a loud whistle chirped from him.

Carrie couldn’t prevent her startle.

What was that about?

He waved someone over before he stooped beside her. “The prospect is going to stand by and watch you two. He’s gonna make sure no one messes with you.”

A burly bear of a man approached, wearing a brand-new, stiff black leather cut, with a single patch on it that read prospect. This must be their guard. Feeling a bit silly but also relieved, Carrie dipped her chin sheepishly.

“We don’t need a babysitter.” Kelsey rolled her eyes.

Kid snorted. “A babysitter is to make sure the kids behave. Our prospect will ensure everyone else does. You two can do whatever the hell you want.”

Kelsey cocked her head to the side and smiled. “Oh.”

“Bushie, this is Carrie and Kelsey,” Kid introduced. “Don’t let them out of your sight.”

“You got it,” the prospect replied.

“Or you’ll get thirty lashes with a wet noodle,” Kelsey declared before she giggled.

Bushie chuckled with her.

“Nah. He’d like that. I assure you if he loses you two, it’ll be much worse.”

Carrie frowned. She wanted to tell him a bodyguard wasn’t necessary. Hell, she hoped it to be a fact, but she couldn’t deny the peace of mind she felt knowing that if Kid wasn’t there to protect her from the bogeyman, someone he trusted was.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Kid squeezed her shoulder before briefly speaking to the man he’d summoned.

“He has it bad,” Kelsey mused.

Carrie peered at her. “Who?”

“Oh, come on. Are you blind?” Her friend chortled.

Carrie watched Kid saunter toward the stockroom.

“It’s not what you think,” she said as she brought her attention back to Kelsey.

Kelsey arched a brow. “Then what is it?”

“He said he owed a debt to my brother,” Carrie said.

Kelsey rolled her eyes. “How does that figure into your bumping uglies plan?”

Carrie slapped her friend’s arm playfully. “Seriously?”

Again, her friend chuckled, but this time she wasn’t alone. Bushie, who stood within earshot, joined her.

What the hell?

8

Kid