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“Yes, ma’am.”
“And you live alone?”
“Who else would I live with?”
“Your parents, a buddy, a wife.”
His smile grew. “My parents live in Traverse on the river. I haven’t lived with them since secondary school. My ‘buddies’ are all royals and have an enormous castle or homes of their own to live in. I’ve never had a wife.”
Livvy swallowed. She knew he’d never been married. She’d kept close tabs on him. The way he was studying her now made her stomach hop like it was playing Chopsticks.
Shadows approached his window and Jensen said, “Excuse me while I give my people instructions. Then we’ll get you settled in your room.”
She nodded.
He slid out of the car and spoke to three men and one woman. They all listened and nodded. She thought they’d take off, but Jensen strode around to her side, offered his hand, and helped her out of the car. His hand surrounding hers was the anchor and connection she’d been missing in her life. She smiled her thanks. His ‘people’ had followed him around the car.
“Livvy Moser …” He tilted his head to her and smiled reassuringly. “This is Lieutenant Yost, Officer Frank Halladay, Officer Danson Etienne, and Officer Val Brahms. They’ll be staying with us and monitoring the exterior and interior of the property as well as watching the cameras.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I really appreciate you all helping me.”
They each nodded to her. Lieutenant Yost’s gaze was fixed on Jensen. Another beautiful young lady interested in the chief?
Officer Brahms offered his hand. Livvy put her hand in his to shake, but he held on. “It’s an honor, most special lady.”
“Val,” Jensen warned.
“What?” Val gave a good-natured grin and a shrug of his shoulders. “I’ve never seen our highly respected police chief bring a woman into his fortress. She must be special to you indeed, sir.”
Livvy could see Val was teasing Jensen, and she liked him immediately. It was brave to tease the highest-ranking official in your department, and Jensen was a man who commanded respect.
Officers Etienne and Halliday exchanged looks. Lieutenant Yost’s lips flattened, her brow furrowed, and she sent Val a dark look.
“I’m sure your ‘highly respected police chief’ brings women into his fortress regularly,” she said, teasing but also testing Jensen. “I assure you I’m nothing special to him.”
The other four’s eyebrows rose, and they all looked to Jensen. The object of her comment and desire looked decidedly uncomfortable. She probably shouldn’t have called him out, especially in front of his people. Did his lack of response mean he did bring women here all the time?
Val laughed easily, easing the tension somewhat. “I beg to differ, beautiful and talented Livvy Moser. I saw you play in Vienna and it was incredible.”
“Thank you.”
Jensen’s gaze was warm on her, but then he turned to his people.
“All right. Val, you and Danson go search the interior. Lieutenant Yost, please use the link to my cameras and security to set up a command station in whatever basement bedroom you think is best. You each can choose a bedroom for yourselves. Frank, you’re on exterior.”
It was interesting he called the men by their first names, but not the lieutenant. They all nodded crisply, except Val, who saluted. Then the three men strode off without another word. Val did wink at her.
Lieutenant Yost grabbed two laptop bags out of the backseat of their car and then walked inside. She didn’t look at Livvy. The lady was beautiful but seemed severe. She probably had to be to thrive in a mostly male profession, or she was interested in Jensen and didn’t like Livvy being close to him.
Livvy hugged herself for warmth. She had a sweatshirt in her suitcase, but only a T-shirt and sweats on. It was chilly at night in mid-September in Augustine, and even more so in the mountains. She hadn’t felt the chill until Jensen hadn’t responded when she’d said she was nothing special to him.
“Please excuse Val.” Jensen pushed a hand at his hair. “He doesn’t have a filter between his brain and his tongue, but he’s an exceptional officer and I’d trust him with my mum’s life.”
“It’s okay.” She blinked up at him. Maybe she shouldn’t have brought it up again, but it would bug her until she knew. “Do you host women at your home regularly?”
He stared down at her. His dark eyes got that warm and intense look that she loved. “Rarely,” he said softly. “And I’ve never even considered bringing a woman here to protect her.”
She shivered, but it was a good shiver this time. “You date a lot,” she said. That wasn’t a question. Local media loved to capture him, all the princes, and Major Chad Prescott on dates. All the princes were taken now, so Jensen and Chad got a lot of attention from the media and single women.
