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“I’m sorry to say not only is your bodyguard feeding you misinformation he was nowhere around when I was attacked.” Breely hooked her arm through Moe’s elbow. “This man single-handedly fought off the two attackers and rescued me.”
Her father pushed a hand through his shock of white hair. “The attack in Bozeman is a prime example of why you’re not safe off the ranch.”
“I’m not going back except for the occasional visit. There’s a whole wide world out here. I don’t want to miss any of it.”
Robert Brantt took his daughter’s hands in his. “It’s not safe for you to go galivanting around the countryside alone. That would be a surefire way of making you the target of every opportunist intent on using you as a bargaining chip to get to me.”
“I know,” she said. “I’d still rather take my chances. I can’t live on the ranch anymore. I have to make my own way in the world, like anyone else.”
“But you’re not anyone else. You’re the daughter of one of the richest men in the world. Short of giving away my entire fortune and living in a modest two-bedroom house in some city suburbs, there’s not much I can do other than provide you with a bodyguard, twenty-four-seven.”
“I don’t want your money, Daddy. I need to learn how to live on my own and pay my own way.”
“Okay. But you need round-the-clock protection. I have a man with me who can do the job. He’s prepared to go where you go.”
Before her father finished talking, Breely was shaking her head. “No. I don’t want your bodyguard.”
“You can’t get around without one,” her father said.
Moe studied Breely’s stubborn face. “Sir,” Moe cut in.
“What?” Brantt responded impatiently.
“I work for a company that provides protection. Since you’re from Montana, you might have heard about it—Hank Patterson’s Brotherhood Protectors?”
Brantt’s brow wrinkled. “Yes. I have heard of Hank Patterson and the company he based out of his wife’s ranch a few years ago. I’ve heard nothing but good things about what his team has accomplished. In fact, he was going to be my next call. I’d like him to beef up our security system and see if he can find someone I approve of to protect Breely.”
“Breely already has protection,” Moe spoke clearly, daring the elder Brantt to push back.
“Oh yeah?” Brantt tipped his head to one side. “Who?”
Moe bit down hard on his tongue to keep from spewing sarcasm at Breely’s father. “I will provide the protection she needs. If I require additional assistance, the other members of my team can be called in.”
Brantt met and held Moe’s gaze. “You really work for Hank Patterson?”
Moe nodded. “I work out of the West Yellowstone branch of the Brotherhood, which would also be a good place to take your daughter. The town is small. People look out for each other. We’d stay at the West Yellowstone Lodge, surrounded by more members of the team.”
“So, you wouldn’t go back to Bozeman?” Mr. Brantt asked.
“Only initially to gather what we can salvage of Breely’s things.”
“Excuse me.” Breely stepped forward. “Do I have a say in what happens to me?”
“No,” Moe and Brantt spoke as one and laughed.
“Not funny,” Breely said. “I have a job in Bozeman. That job gave me the means to be self-reliant. I refuse to be dependent on anyone else ever again.”
“I get that. I also get that you’re a target and need someone around who has your back.” Moe lifted his chin toward the older man. “Your father doesn’t want to take away your newfound freedom. He wants to make sure someone else doesn’t.”
The older Brantt nodded. “You know your mother and I care about you. If you don’t let me hire a bodyguard of my choice, choose one for yourself. But make sure he’s capable. You mean too much to your family for us to lose you now.”
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “If I choose my own capable bodyguard, you won’t go behind my back and hire another as backup?”
Her father pressed his lips together and waited a full five seconds before nodding. “I won’t.”
She stared at him a moment longer.
Robert Brantt raised his right hand. “I promise.”
