AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You need to explain that one to me again,” Pretty Boy said. It was a far more gracious response than I probably deserved. I hadn’t explained it at all.
“He’s a bodyguard,” I said, glancing at the drive as Wood took us up it. The privacy window to the front seat was closed, so at least I didn’t have to deal with Karagiani listening to this part.
The cold assessment between him and Milo had been testosterone-laden enough. I also didn’t owe Karagiani any explanations, particularly when it came to Milo and mine’s arrangements.
“So you mentioned,” Pretty Boy said. “I wasn’t gone that long, since when do you have a bodyguard again? Or do you want to deflect and put me off again about what happened?”
I sighed. “Nothing happened,” I told him, and at his skeptical expression, I put a hand on his arm. “No one threatened me, I promise—at least, not that I am aware of. Ezra hired him before—when everything was happening with the Sharpes.”
Pretty Boy’s scowl deepened. Not a topic either of us wanted to discuss.
“I don’t know why Ezra has decided all over again that I need a babysitter, but he sent him. And I haven’t had a chance to dissuade Ezra yet.”
The frown on his face didn’t ease. “So he goes where you go?”
“For the moment.”
Milo nodded. “Do you trust him?”
“He was quite cooperative before. He didn’t intrude, just did his job, and I seem to have come through all right.” I didn’t want to be flippant, least of all now. There was a conversation that Pretty Boy and I needed to have but I didn’t want to do it here.
And definitely not with an audience.
“Do youtrusthim?” The question held a lot of weight. Did I?
“I trust him to do his job,” I admitted.
Then we were there and Wood was opening the door. Karagiani was already out and dressed in his suit and, even khaki-colored, he stood out. I’d wondered about the suit coat, although Milo had murmured he was wearing a gun.
The two looked at each other. I slid my sunglasses into place, as much to shield my eyes as anything. Wood took the time to open the trunk and pulled out my clubs and a second bag.
It took all my willpower not to laugh at Pretty Boy’s expression. “What would you have done if I told you I didn’t play golf?”
“You haven’t told me you do play,” I countered. A pair of caddies descended the steps.
“Miss Benedict…”
I pivoted to meet them. “Hello, Mr. Hardigan and I have a tee time at ten-thirty. Are you both available to caddy?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the darker-haired one said. “I’m Robby. This is Mike. I’ll be your caddy. Mike will take care of things for Mr. Hardigan.”
“Thank you,” Milo said, his smoother tone a lovely surprise. He was never going to have the dulcet, cultured tones of someone born and raised in this life. Thankfully. I much preferred the rough, bluntness of his honesty, both in what he said and how he said it. “You might need to instruct me on the finer habits of caddies and what I should and shouldn’t do.”
Mike chuckled. “Yes, sir. Not a problem. We’ll have everything ready to set out.”
“Cart or walk, Miss Benedict?” Robby asked and I glanced up at the sky. With the sweater tied lightly over my shoulders, I could slip it on as needed.
The sun was out and the breeze, while cool, wasn’t cold.
“Let’s walk, if you gentlemen don’t mind.” The last I directed at Milo. I wanted the time between the holes. Carts would also force us to split up and Karagiani was going to insist on riding with me.
“A walk sounds good,” Pretty Boy said before he offered his arm. I grinned and slid my hand onto the crook of his elbow. Karagiani moved with us as we headed up the steps. Robby and Mike took care of our golf clubs.
We’d barely taken three steps inside when I stopped abruptly. My surprise communicated itself because Milo went stiff and still.
“What is it?”
“It’s—” I glanced up at him with a quick smile before pulling away. “My grandfather.”
