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Jensen could agree. Ramone had said odd things to him tonight too, but with Jennifer Shule waiting in Tristan’s suite ready to share information, most likely about her parents and the Rindlesbachers, the odd lines from a junior member of parliament felt ominous.
“I’ll escort you to your car,” he said, not giving her a chance to argue. He’d deal with Ramone later. He wrapped his arm around her waist, intent on escorting her down the hill. He didn’t have time to drive her to Traverse, but he could have men waiting for her when she got there.
She leaned into him for a brief and beautiful moment. Then, just as quickly, she pulled away and glared up at him. “No thank you, Chief Jensen. I’ll be just fine. The guard station isn’t too much farther. One of General Raymond’s guards will escort me to my car, and I have a great security system at home.”
He stared down at her, brushing his hand over his short hair. “Please call me Jensen,” was the only thing he could think to say.
“No thank you, Chief.” Her eyes sparked at him.
What had happened? Ramone had upset her but Jensen got the feeling he had as well. How had he upset her? They’d been dancing and flirting not an hour ago. Was he being too pushy? He only wanted her safe.
They studied each other. Jensen couldn’t think of a worse standoff. Why wouldn’t she let him protect her?
“Livvy, please …” He softened his voice and stared deeply into her eyes, trying to convey his desire to keep her safe but also his sincere interest in her. He wanted her to understand that he’d kept his distance because of how damaged she’d seemed to be from Treven. Her coming tonight had been a sign that she was strong enough to conquer those demons and let Jensen pursue her. Maybe the timing still wasn’t right. Maybe she wasn’t ready.
His phone rang. He wanted to curse and shut it off, but he had to be there for Ray, Tristan, Jennifer, the king, whoever might need him in this nonstop battle with the Rindlesbachers. He detested those people. Most especially Treven. He’d call the guy his nemesis, but he didn’t want to give Treven that much space in his head.
“Excuse me.” He pulled the phone out. It was Ray.
“No, excuse me.” She forced a smile, then stalked down the road and away from him.
He groaned, slid the phone on, and trailed behind her. “Yeah?”
“We’re going to need you,” Ray said.
“Okay.”
Jensen listened as Ray explained and walked down the road after Livvy. He’d at least make certain she got to the guard station safely. One of the guards could escort her to her car, and Jensen would have another guard run him up the hill in a side-by-side.
Dang that he couldn’t drive her home. Double dang that Treven could still scare her through Ramone, email, and other means. Triple dang that she didn’t even seem to want Jensen in her life.
Chapter Four
Livvy ignored Jensen as he followed her down the road to the guard station. It was not easy. The guards immediately noticed him. How could anyone not notice his commanding and arresting stature? She loved how decisive he was and despite her telling him to get lost, she appreciated his protective nature.
Jensen instructed the men to escort her to her car. She glanced at him one last time before walking away with a guard. He was on the phone, but the police chief appeared completely focused on her. His dark gaze begged her to smile at him, flirt with him, be his …
No. She was being silly.
Thoughts about the night and Jensen battled in her head as she drove the half an hour to Traverse.
Finally, she made it home. She loved her ‘cracker box palace’ as her dad liked to call it. The home was old, the exterior beautiful granite that sparkled in the sunshine, the interior small rooms with amazing classic details like squares of stained glass lining the top of each window. She’d painted and updated some electrical and plumbing but had mostly kept it the same.
Over the next few days, and especially when two detectives instead of their chief arrived to get her statement about Ramone, she second-guessed why she’d had to walk away from Jensen. He might’ve been interested, if she’d only stayed and danced and not surrendered him to a beautiful and kind American. Was it her jealousy over seeing him with the redhead or her fear of Treven that had made her walk away?
Livvy busied herself with teaching, playing the piano, cooking, cleaning, reading, practicing her self-defense, walks with her dad and brother David, and a chance to go to the shooting range with her dad.
She was stunned to see on the news that the Rindlesbachers had tried to kill the king and crown prince. Yet again.
William Rindlesbacher falling off a cliff and dying was a tragic end, but a huge relief as well. She couldn’t think of one redeeming characteristic that man had, unless it was commitment to his own family. Sadly, Naomi had escaped and was still at large.
Every day she prayed for Jensen to stop by, even if it was only to talk more about Ramone’s weird lines and reassure her Treven was in prison.
Nothing.
He was busy cleaning up from William’s attack and death. She was certain of that.
She was not his priority or a woman he was interested in. That was more certain.
