Page 41 of A Little Bit Engaged
At eight o’clock that night, a knock sounded at her door. Weird since she hadn’t buzzed anyone into the building. Must be Geoff. He’d texted earlier to ask how she was doing, but he probably wanted to see for himself.
Brody rose from the couch. “I’ll get it.”
He opened the door and then stepped aside. Four men strode into her apartment as if they owned the place. Her pulse skyrocketed.
“This is the security team I mentioned.” Brody acted nonplussed.
She hadn’t known what to expect in a bodyguard, but a man in a suit with a dark tie and earpiece seemed about right, not four hot guys who looked like they’d stepped out of an action-adventure movie. Silent, rugged men with inked, muscular arms, watchful gazes, and concealed weapons. She’d felt safe with Brody, but these guys could take on an army of baddies and win.
Cara hadn’t taken the threats made against her that seriously. Not when she knew her sister’s fanbase. But things suddenly seemed different. Goose bumps covered her skin.
She crossed her arms over her chest.
Introductions were made, but the men’s hyperaware, intense gazes made her forget their names as soon as they were mentioned. Her stomach churned. A lump formed in her throat. Tears stung. All she wanted was her quiet, boring life back. It was far from perfect, but it was hers.
As talk about the threats and safety protocols ramped up, Cara couldn’t take it. “I’m going to bed early.”
Before anyone said goodnight, she left the living room. Loki followed her. Maybe a solid night of sleep would make things better. She didn’t think they could get much worse.
The next morning, Lex drove her to the Bay View House in a black SUV with dark tinted windows. He had short, beach-blond hair, glacier blue eyes, and a scar on the right side of his face. He hadn’t spoken, but she caught him glancing at her in the rearview mirror.
She didn’t need a Ph.D. to know what he was thinking—what everyone must be thinking—why was Brody Simmons marrying her when he could be with Cait Neal?
Cara had made the mistake of going online to read some social media posts. The memes about her were downright cruel. Calling her dog ugly or a genetic mutant wasn’t necessary. The comments that accompanied them were worse. She had a feeling no one really cared about her per se. She just happened to be the current target of online bullies, who took full advantage of the anonymity on the internet.
“We’re almost there.” Rizzo, a handsome man with olive skin, dark chocolate eyes, and jet-black hair, sat next to her in the back seat. She had a feeling he’d been assigned to her, given he was the only one who’d spoken directly to her since the team arrived. Last night, he’d complimented her on the condo and asked about Loki. “Feel okay this morning?”
“A little tired.”
Rizzo’s smile showed off a row of straight white teeth. “That’s understandable given the circumstances.”
No kidding. Whether she was awake or dreaming, Brody was on her mind. She kept telling herself everything they were going through would be worth it once they were finished. Caitlin would have no more control.
“A nap might help,” Rizzo suggested.
“I love naps.” Taking an afternoon nap had been one of her favorite things to do if she worked an early shift at the bookstore or had a day off, but with Brody around, she hadn’t bothered, much to Loki’s dismay.
The other two men on the team, Jackson and Kai, had remained at the condo with Brody. They would meet her at the Bay View House for a food tasting after Cara spoke to Hannah about a wedding gown.
Lex took the roundabout way to the Bay View House, adding twenty minutes to the drive. He stopped at the curb, left the engine running, and glanced at Rizzo. “You’re up.”
Cara went to open her door, but Rizzo touched her arm. “Not yet. I have to make sure everything is secure.”
She knew they were trying to keep her safe, but not being free to get out of the car on her own was strange. Had Brody gotten used to the lack of freedom? Not that she’d have the chance to do the same. This would be over soon enough.
“Be right back.” Rizzo unbuckled his seat belt, opened his door, and slid out with the grace of an elite athlete.
Once the door closed, Cara thought Lex might talk to her now that they were alone, but nope. He scanned from right to left and then left to right.
She pulled out her phone. Both her parents had texted. She hadn’t seen them much since moving to San Francisco. Her mom and dad were so busy helping Caitlin, who supported them financially, that they didn’t have much free time. Visits to see Cara couldn’t compete with traveling to luxurious destinations when vacation time rolled around, so she made trips to Los Angeles to visit them during the holidays and when she had three-day weekends. She’d thought about calling them earlier, but Caitlin had promised she’d explain things, so Cara hadn’t been in touch.
She clicked on her mom’s text first.
Mom: How dare you steal Brody away from your sister! He’s her one true love. You’ve always been jealous of Caitlin, but I never thought you were capable of such a betrayal. You need to break things off with Brody right now.
Raw grief ripped through Cara. Her teeth chattered, not from cold, but disbelief. Caitlin had agreed to talk to their parents.
Cara couldn’t call with Lex in the front seat, so she texted her mom.
