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Sighing, I leaned my back against the tree I’d chosen to hide behind. But there was no hiding from what I’d done. “You need to send a new bodyguard for Thea.”
He cursed, then yelled. “What the hell happened? Talk before I assume the worst.”
“I got involved with the client.”
“You slept with a married woman? And a client? Are you out of your fucking mind?” Gunner roared.
It stung that he thought I’d sleep with a married woman. Well, technically I did. But since they weren’t together that way, I didn’t really see it as cheating. I knew I’d better explain things before Gunner said something he couldn’t take back. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. And it’s not what it looks like.”
“Then please enlighten me. Because from where I’m sitting it looks like you pissed off one of our biggest clients.”
Sighing, I stomped over the perfectly manicured grass, needing to move. I wondered if someone trimmed it by hand every day to make sure each blade was exactly the same length. “Calm down, big guy. William isn’t mad. And no matter how much I don’t want anyone else protecting Thea, I know it’s the only option.”
There was no way I’d be able to do my job properly. I’d be distracted and make mistakes.
“He’s not mad? Are you joking? What man wouldn’t be mad after finding out his wife is having an affair?”
“I can’t explain the reasons, but please trust me. He’ll stay your client.”
He let out a disbelieving grunt. “I’m calling William. You better pray what you said is true. And you’re staying until Carter arrives. Then I want you out of there.”
“Understood.”
He slung more curse words my way, then hung up. I hoped talking to William would calm him down.
Knowing that Carter was the one taking over for me put my mind at ease. If I had to trust someone else with Thea’s life I’d have chosen him.
And if I only had a few hours left in San Diego, I wanted to spend them with Thea. There was nothing more important than making sure she understood I’d make us work, no matter where we lived. Because there was no doubt in my mind that she was it for me.
12
THEA
William waved me over,and I rounded the desk, leaning into him when he held his arm out. “Do you really think he can’t protect me any longer? I don’t want him to leave.”
My voice was small, my heart squeezing at the thought of Archer leaving. I wanted him close. I hadn’t even thought about the problems it would cause if we gave in to our feelings.
“I’m sorry, darling. But this doesn’t look like a simple hookup to me. In all the years we’ve been married, I’ve never seen you look at anyone the way you do at him. And he returns the sentiment. I doubt he could do his job when all he can think about is you.”
Heat creeped up my cleavage, and I hung my head. “Being with him makes me feel whole. I don’t think I could have stopped what happened if I wanted to.”
“Then I’m happy for you. And you’ll figure out the rest. The threat won’t be there forever, and then I can figure out what’s next. But for now, one thing at a time.”
“I know. I trust you.”
Patting the arm I had around his chest, he chuckled. “It’s okay to tell me what an idiot I’ve been.”
“I’m sure Ciel has done that plenty. And I know you’re sorry for what happened.”
“Jesus, there she goes again forgiving me without a second thought. I don’t deserve you.”
Kissing the side of his head, I straightened up. “You’re a good man. One who’s lost his way, but still a man who’d do anything for his family. And I’ll never forget that you saved me. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”
“Probably shacked up with the guy waiting outside the office for you.”
The urge to find out if he was right was too strong to ignore, and my feet carried me across the wooden floor. “Then I shouldn’t make him wait any longer.” Halfway to the door, I turned around again. “I love you.”
Waving me off with a grin, he turned to his ringing phone. “I love you too. Now get out of here before Archer thinks I’m trying to change your mind about him.”
