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“Miss me already? You know I can’t talk and drive,” she said.
“Tiffy? Is everything okay?”
Crap! I should have looked at caller ID!
“Hi, Mom. Sorry about that. Everything’s fine. How about you?”
“Actually, things are getting crazy with the wedding plans. Lisa told me she still hasn’t heard from you. It’s rude not to return your RSVP card.”
Tiffany tried to contain her annoyance. “Mom, Liam’s my brother. Does she really think I’m not coming?”
“Of course not, dear, but she’s wondering if you’re bringing a date. As much as it pains me, I told her I doubted it since you’restillnot seeing anyone.”
Tiffany felt guilty about lying, but there was no way she was ready to let her mother know she’d fallen in love. Lukus wasn’t the kind of man her parents would approve of. She had no intention of opening that can of worms right now.
“I doubt it too, Mom. I’d love to talk, but my next appointment is here. I really do need to go,” she said.
Shit. Another lie. I’m going to hell.
“Okay, honey. I’m so excited to see you next weekend. Are you coming in on Friday night or Saturday morning?”
Tiff was startled. A feeling of dread invaded. She had the niggling feeling she’d forgotten something important.
“Tiffany?” Her mom was using her parental voice. The one she’d practiced plenty raising eight children. “Tiffany Lauren O’Sullivan. You’d better not have forgotten that the bridal shower is one week from today. It’s bad enough you weren’t able to help give it for your brother’s bride. You absolutely must attend.”
“Mom, I’m so sorry, but I just don’t think I can make it.”
“That’s not possible. You haven’t been home in months. Nothing could be more important. Tell Brianna you need the time off.”
Little did her mom know, Tiff did have the weekend off. She’d arranged it before meeting Lukus.
How am I gonna leave for the weekend without telling Lukus where I’m going? And if I tell him, he’s gonna want to go, and I’m not ready for that.
Tiffany needed time to think. Time to figure out what to do. “I’ll try my best, Mom. I’ll call you early next week with an update. I really do need to go now. Tell Daddy I said hi.”
“Okay, I’ll let you go, but I expect to see you next weekend. Love you.”
“Love you too, Mom.”
Finally, Tiffany was ready to leave. Her guard waited just outside the door. He looked on edge. As she approached, she noticed he’d taken off his jacket; his shoulder harness displayed his pistol for the first time. A shudder overtook her body.
“You ready, Miss O’Sullivan? I’m going to escort you down to the loft,” he said.
“CJ, right?” He nodded and she continued, “Please, call me Tiffany. And yes, I’m ready, but before we leave, I want you to tell me more about Jake. Do you think he’s here in Chicago again?”
Her bodyguard looked uncomfortable with her probing question. “We don’t really think so, but the boss isn’t taking any chances with you, ma’am. Lukus asked me to leave your car here. You’ll be riding with me.”
She had her confirmation about Lukus’s and Markus’s protectiveness. That Lukus was going after that prick Jake should have made her happy. It mostly worried her that he would be in danger.
“I’m sure I can drive—”
CJ cut her off. “You’re riding with me. It’s not up for debate.”
Rather than getting upset, Tiff grinned. “So, you’re a Dom down at the club, too, I see.”
CJ grinned back. “That obvious? Let’s just say working there has great advantages.” At the front door, he turned to her, his look serious again. “I’m going to get the car. You stay inside and lock the door. Only come out when I’m right in front to pick you up. I’ll get out and open the passenger door for you; then you come straight out. Got it?”
“All of this security stuff is scaring me,” she admitted.
