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“You need a bodyguard,” Tasha said with a frown. “And don’t tell me Brian is a bodyguard. He couldn’t even catch this guy.”
Brian’s jaw went tight, and it looked like he wanted to argue. “He was fast, and I didn’t want to leave Dare. I’m an account manager. I’m not some ninja. I thought I handled it pretty well. I assessed the situation and decided to keep things quiet.”
“I’m surprised security didn’t catch it.” Tasha’s hand squeezed his. “It’s apparent to me the security in this building is lax. Maybe we should think about moving.”
That wouldn’t work. “Moving would require me to inform my father, and I would have to have an excellent excuse. He didn’t want me to be the one to make contact with Oakley in the first place. He can yank me at any time, and I would like to figure out what my dad wants from Huisman.”
“All right. Then let me find you a bodyguard,” Tasha offered.
“I think I can handle it,” Brian countered. “I’ll deal with this for you, Dare. Don’t worry. I’ll have someone here in the morning.”
“Or you could go with the person who actually has connections to the security business.” Tasha looked down at him, her dark eyes practically pleading. “You have to take this seriously. I know it feels surreal and you’re thinking it can’t happen again, but I’m worried.”
She would be with him. What if she’d been the one standing beside him? It was obvious Brian had scared the guy off, but what would have happened if Tasha had been confronted with the danger?
She was right. There was a big part of him that wanted to write the whole episode off as bad luck and worse timing. No one was coming after him, and if they were, he could take his chances.
But he couldn’t take a chance she could get hurt.
He had the choice to send her away and protect her or protect her another way.
“Could you make some calls, Tasha?”
Brian groaned and threw his hands up. “Fine. I can see you’ve got this.”
“Brian.” He didn’t mean to piss off his friend. “Thank you for the save.”
Brian’s expression softened. “I don’t know that I saved anything, but I’m glad you’re okay. That bodyguard better be good.”
“I’m going to get a recommendation from my dad. He knows a lot of people,” Tasha assured him. “You can sit in on the call if you like, and I’ll make sure you have all the information you need to feel secure.”
Brian murmured something under his breath, but he was all smiles as he headed for the door. “I’ll be out here when you want to talk, Tasha. I think he needs some more sleep.”
Dare wasn’t sure he wanted Tasha to talk to Brian alone. Brian seemed suspicious of her for no reason at all. “I’m fine.”
She stood and nodded Brian’s way. He seemed to understand her and closed the door as he left.
“You took a full dose of horse tranquilizer. You are not okay,” Tasha said firmly.
How long had it been since someone tried to take care of him? He was the one who had to constantly be on the lookout for his siblings. He had to be the voice of reason and sleep with one eye open. “I think I should be with you. Brian is being paranoid, and I don’t want him to upset you.”
She reached down, running a hand over his hair. “I think paranoid is not a word we should be using. As my father would say, it’s only paranoia if they aren’t out to get you.” Her expression turned solemn. “I might not like that Brian is trying to cut me out, but I do understand him. We’ll work this out and everything will be in motion tonight, so you don’t have to worry. This is what I do. My company has a bodyguard unit, and I match clients with the right guard. I’ll call in some favors, and we’ll have someone here in the morning.”
He thought he liked her when she was soft and sweet and submissive. He loved this side of her, too. When he’d imagined his perfect sub, he’d thought he would always be in control, that she would need that dominance from him. But he was so tired. His body didn’t want to work. It wanted to sink into sleep. If she was dependent on him for everything, he would have to push through.
“I can handle this, Sir.” It was like she could read his thoughts. Or maybe he wasn’t good at hiding what he was thinking when he was drugged out of his mind. “Get some rest, and I’ll be beside you in the morning. Brian and I will be fine.”
He caught her hand again, bringing it to his chest and holding it there. “You should put some distance between us. I know it. I should tell you to go, but I can’t.”
