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Aiden slid his arm around Chalisa’s waist, earning a smile from her and a calculated look from the man.
“They’re here,” Mercedes cheered, taking a deep gulp of air. She didn’t look out of shape, but the poor lady could hardly climb the stairs. Maybe she was as sick as the media claimed.
“Let the games begin,” Aiden teased, but he meant it in more ways than one. This SEAL wasn’t going to hit on his Chalisa. He groaned inside. Sadly she wasn’t his, and he was being a jerk again trying to lay claim to her, relish the happiness she brought to him, kiss her nonstop, and confuse and hurt her even more when he had to walk away from her.
He’d promised to keep her safe, but he could do that by assigning two of his men to watch over her. His free hand clenched into a fist. He wanted that assignment. But she wasn’t even in danger. Jorge was locked away and Aiden’s skills had to be used to take down drug dealers, mafia lords, and human traffickers. A simple protection detail wasn’t his purpose. Chalisa wasn’t his purpose.
The SEAL stared at Chalisa and gave her a smile that Aiden didn’t like, not at all. She was in danger from this guy. He was assigning himself as her protector, right now.
“Captain Jagger Lemuel.” Mercedes gestured to the guy at her side, the guy smiling at Aiden’s girl. “Lieutenant Hays West.” She turned to the other guy next to Shawn. “This is Chalisa Anderson and Captain Aiden Porter. Your competitors for tomorrow and Saturday.”
Competition indeed.
Lieutenant West stepped forward and offered his hand. Aiden was always friendly. He could destroy someone in a fight, but he’d be cordial before and offer them a hand up after. Unless they were a criminal. Then he’d let the local law enforcement take care of them after he took them down.
It about killed him to shake the guy’s hand and let Captain Lemuel take Chalisa’s hand in his and hold on to it.
“It’s an honor to meet you, sir,” West said. “I’m impressed by your organization. They say you’ll be the next Sutton Smith, right?”
“Thank you. That is the plan.” Aiden smiled, and should’ve been pleased that his fame was growing.
Unfortunately, he could hear Lemuel saying, “Chalisa … I’ve never met your equal. Mercedes has told me all about Nursing Kindness. Charitable and beautiful.”
Chalisa blushed prettily. “Thank you, Jagger.”
Aiden couldn’t even pretend to focus on whatever question West was asking as he gave ‘Jagger’ a warning glance. Why was she calling Captain Lemuel by his first name?
The man simply smirked at him. A smirk Aiden had patented—you don’t know who you’re messing with, and I am going to destroy you.
Raw fury heated Aiden’s neck and tightened his muscles. He was going to dismantle this guy before the competition tomorrow.
“Mercedes,” somebody called from down below.
“Oh!” Mercedes grabbed Captain Lemuel’s arm. “That’s Princess Julia. You have to come meet King Kendrick and Queen Raya. They’re fabulous.”
“All right.” Lemuel nodded to her and had the gall to offer his arm to Chalisa. “Would you like to meet the king and queen with us?”
“We’ve met them,” Aiden said hotly.
Mercedes looked surprised by Aiden not being his charming self. Lemuel looked smug, like he knew he was getting under his skin.
“We’ll see you all in the morning,” Aiden continued before anyone could stop him. He wrapped his arm around Chalisa, turning her away from the group and starting up the next set of stairs.
“Goodnight,” Mercedes called.
“Goodnight,” Chalisa returned.
The men said nothing. Aiden almost wanted Lemuel to make a comment. Pretty much anything the guy said, Aiden could find a way to misconstrue. He’d spring at the man and annihilate him before Lemuel could check out Chalisa one more time.
They walked stiffly up the stairs, down the hall, and into their suite.
“So that’s the competition,” Chalisa said as the door closed behind them.
“Not much competition.” He gave her his patented, too-confident smile.
“They seemed very tough and impressive to me.”
He swallowed hard and stared down at her. “They did?”
