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I stare at him for a little longer than I mean to. I admire his big, hulking frame and the width of his biceps. Everything about him—from his straight posture to the partial scowl he wears—screams power and strength. It’s no wonder I feel so safe when I’m with him.
And now I reallyamworried he shoved Esteban’s men down the trash shoot.
Worried and impressed.
“I had no idea,” I say softly, poking at one of my sausage links with the tip of my fork.
“We had to channel all our Navy SEAL energy somewhere after retirement,” Knox says. “It was either the police force or start our own security company.”
I blink, mesmerized by this brand-new information. Zane doesn’t acknowledge his brother’s comment and instead takes a big sip of his coffee.
“Ooh,” Heath gasps. “They’re bringing out the chocolate fountain.” He turns to his fiancé with a big, goofy grin. “What do you say, sugar? Want to come with me to grab some fresh fruits? Maybe a whole bowl of pineapple for later? They say it’s supposed to make things tasterealsweet, if you know what I mean.”
Knox grimaces. “Gross.”
Heath ruffles his brother’s hair. “Don’t be such a party pooper. Come on, let’s go.”
“Why do I have to come with?”
“Because I just saw them bring out chocolate chip pancakes, and I know they’re your Achilles heel.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Knox grumbles under his breath.
“We’ll stay here,” Zane says. “To keep an eye on our things.”
Heath, Darlene, and Knox slide out of their side of the booth and head over to the buffet, leaving Zane and me behind to stew in our own silence. Oddly enough, it isn’t as uncomfortable as I thought it would be.
“You were a SEAL?” I ask him quietly, the gears beginning to turn slowly in my brain.
He nods just once. “I don’t like to brag about it.”
“And now you’re a bodyguard?”
“Not officially. We don’t take on our first client until next week after the new year.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek. “How much do you charge?”
Zane lifts his coffee mug, the rim hovering just in front of his lips. He pauses for a moment, glancing down at me. “For you? Pro bono.”
“Are you serious?” I ask, suspicion crawling along the surface of my skin. “Why?”
“Because it’s obvious you need help.”
“No, I want to pay you. I don’t want to owe you anything.”
He leans back against his seat casually. “I’ve seen how much cash you’re carrying, Ms. Doe, and believe me when I say you can’t afford me.”
My cheeks burn with indignation. Zane’s right. I don’t have much left to my name; the money I have on hand is my only lifeline. I literally can’t afford to spend it so freely.
“I need to lie low for the next couple of days,” I whisper even though he’s the only one within earshot. “The people who are after me… They’ll probably think I’ve skipped town already. I figure if I stay a couple more days and bide my time, they’ll lose track of me.”
Zane hums, the sound a low grumble in his chest. “Clever. They’ll pass right on through, and the entire time you’ll be under their noses.”
“Do you think it’ll work?”
“It might. But there’s really only one thing that can guarantee your safety.”
“What’s that?”
