Page 18 of The Forbidden Bodyguard

I rub the back of my neck.

What is she expecting to happen at this first introduction? And what sort of intervention does she think I am able to do, given that the two are engaged to be married?

If she says no to being touched, then that is her right, and I will step between them, but still, I need to understand this further.

“Sure. Can you explain—”

“It’s no big deal,” Stella glances out the window. “These are powerful people. I’m not happy with anything physical...”

She tapers off, and I feel my fist squeezing.

I force back my emotions and let my brain take charge, because I have no right having an opinion about her life.

“And you have every right to say no. If that is what you want.”

“I know. I’m just worried that as my betrothed, to use an old-fashioned term, Tony might think he has a right to touch me.”

“He doesn’t,” I growl...way too deep and way too loud.

Stella blinks, taken aback somewhat.

“He doesn’t. Until you are married.” I hope that sinks in and she changes her mind. Her eyes snap to mine, and I silently say so don’t fucking marry him.

I’ve known her for under an hour, and the idea of Tony Marino touching her infuriates me. If she goes through with the marriage vows, he will take her to his bed—their bed—and fuck every orifice in her body. And I know men like him. He won’t be gentle.

And not in a good way.

“I don’t want him to.” Her voice is scared.

Before I can stop myself from saying the one thing I shouldn’t, it falls out roughly as a vow. “Then he won’t touch you.”

Jesus.

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STELLA SHOWS ME around her vast penthouse after going through her schedule for the next month. It includes a meeting with her father and Tony Marino later in the week.

“We will travel to his property, following my father. I have a driver.” Stella glances up from her device. “He doesn’t know about you yet. I advised my father’s security team they don’t need to show up tomorrow morning.”

My brows shoot up. “How will he respond?”

“I’m an adult,” Stella snaps. “I get to decide who is on my staff.”

And yet she is marrying a man her family has selected for her, and he’s not exactly a prince.

I keep my thoughts to myself.

“Let me reword my question: Will there be an issue in the morning I need to deal with?”

“Maybe,” she mutters. “I’ll sort it out.”

I suck in a deep breath and let out a sigh. I’m beginning to see how the next few weeks will play out, and if she wasn’t so fucking gorgeous, I might be irritated by the job.

But I’m invested in Stella Voss.

And not just because she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.

I’m used to terrorists and bad guys, so sorting out a few private security guys who think they should show up to work where they aren’t wanted is no big deal.