Page 12 of Possessive Bodyguard Summer

I looked over my shoulder to find my daughter’s bottom lip trembling and tears filling her eyes.

Monroe turned in her seat and reached back so Kaleigh could hold her hand for a minute. “You’re right. I promised I was coming to your house. And I am. I just need to get my car so I have all of my things. I’ll be right behind Daddy’s truck the whole time.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

“Ooootay,” Kaleigh sighed.

My chest tightened. This woman must be a fucking miracle worker. Before my brain had a chance to catch up, Monroe had already opened her door and hopped out. I should have gotten out and opened the door for her. Instead, I felt like a jackass.

“I’ll see you in just a little bit, okay?”

Kaleigh nodded.

Monroe crossed the parking lot and was just about to get in her car when Kaleigh rolled the back window down and shouted at her. “Don’t forget, Monwoah. You promised! 644 Breezy Drive!”

“Kaleigh!” I try to keep a straight face as a few of the employees standing outside look our way.

Rafe is nearly doubled over in laughter at my expense no doubt.

“We don’t yell our address out in public like that.”

“I wasn’t yelling. I was talking to Monwoe,” she said back, very matter of factly.

Sloane walked out of the building, brow raised as he looked at me then Monroe and back to me. “Well, I think that worked out better than I expected.”

“Not a single word,” I called out, before discreetly flipping him off.

CHAPTER

SIX

MONROE

Clay pulled into the driveway of an adorable two-story coastal home as the garage door opened.

As soon as he parked, he jumped out of the truck and hustled over to my car. “Go ahead and pull into the garage next to my truck. I’ll make sure you’ve got a remote to open and close it.”

“Oh. Okay. Thanks.” I slowly pulled into the garage and turned off the car.

Kaleigh was already halfway out of her booster seat by the time Clay opened the back door to help her out.

“Slow down kiddo,” he chuckled.

The second her little sneakers hit the ground, she spun toward me. "Monwoah!" She slipped her tiny hand in mine, practically tugging me out of my car. "C'mon! I gotta show you my room!"

"Kaleigh." Clay's voice carried the practiced patience of a man who tried to master the art of toddler persuasion. "Give Monroe a chance to breathe."

“Oh.” Her face fell for a split second as she looked up at me.

“I wouldloveto see your room.”

“Really?”

“Of course. As long as your dad says it’s okay.”

Kaleigh looked over at Clay and stuck out her bottom lip. “Pleeeeeeaassse.”