Page 28 of Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad World

“And third,” Logan said, “thanks for calling us cowboys. Now I feel like a real Texan.” His grin was wide, but his eyes were sharp.

His humor did just enough to defuse the tension in the room to the point where it wasn’t about to explode.

“I’ll pay them,” Annabelle blurted out, literally making the decision as the words left her mouth.

Evan looked outraged. “Please tell me you don’t plan on mortgaging this fine building to do it. You’d be putting yourhome at risk, and you don’t want to miss out on living here. This area’s great. A few streets over, there’s a goth nightclub squished between an artist’s studio and a retro bowling alley. You can buy Day of the Dead masks from the Mexican deli, and there’s a cinema that shows only black-and-white movies—they even have a pianist for the silent ones. Everywhere you turn, there’s something crazy going on. You can’t jeopardize being a part of this community. It’s totally cool.”

His brothers groaned.

“What?” Evan demanded.

“She’s a-gor-a-pho-bic.” Logan stretched out the word. “So, carry on telling her about all the things shecan’tgo outside to do, you numpty.”

“Oh!” Evan’s head turned beetroot as he grinned sheepishly at her. “Ah, well, there’s also the swing upstairs. You should keep the building for that alone.”

“Great save, bro.” Harris shook his head in disgust.

Even though the topic was serious—the threat to her life—Annabelle couldn’t help but be amused by the brothers. “The building isn’t at risk. I have some money in the bank. I’m sure there’s enough to pay for your services. If you’re willing to stay on with me, that is.”

“I vote yes.” Evan’s hand shot up again.

Rochelle smiled as she faced the ADA. “It seems we’ve found a solution. We will act as bodyguards until the trial. Answering to Annabelle, as she’ll pay the bill.”

Margaret pursed her lips in disgust. “Do you honestly think you’re capable of keeping her safe?”

“Yes,” Rochelle answered simply.

“I’ll be talking to my boss about this.” The ADA snatched up her purse and strode toward the doorway on her power heels. She stopped level with Annabelle on the way. “This decision’s completely against my professional advice. You’re putting yourlife in the hands of a team that I do not consider capable of protecting you.”

“You know,” Noah drawled, “you might want to do some background research on Lake Benson and his teams before you go jumping to any conclusions. We’re the guys they call in when other security companies can’t get the job done.”

Margaret wasn’t impressed. “I’ll return to prep you for your testimony. Court is set for two weeks from today.” With that, she sailed from the room.

Annabelle watched her go, wondering if her decision to hire Benson Security had been too hasty. What did she know about them—other than they’d kept her alive through an attack on her life and fed her chicken soup until she was well? These people were total strangers. They were also her only option to stay in her home.

“Don’t worry,” Rochelle said with a smile. “We actually do know what we’re doing.”

Noah bumped her shoulder again. “We’ll keep you safe.” It was a vow.

“Or die trying,” Evan said cheerily.

The rest of the team turned on him with groans and orders to shut up.

And Annabelle found herself laughing.

Chapter Ten

The triplets had gone to fetch lunch—Tex-Mex from a food truck in Market Square Evan had been raving about—so Annabelle told Noah she wanted to check out her apartment. He said he’d go with her, telling her that the builders had gone, but there were some changes he needed to explain. And that, as her main bodyguard, he had no intention of leaving her side.

Honestly, that was okay with her. Noah was like a rock: steady and unmovable. He reminded her of the Thing from Marvel’s Fantastic Four, ready to stand between his friends and their enemies as a wall of protection. As they climbed the stairs to her loft, he wondered what character he could embody in her graphic novels, her fingers itching to get to her drawing board.

“You look nervous,” Noah said as they reached the door to her apartment.

“I don’t have any clear memories of the place being destroyed, and I’m worried it won’t look like home now.”

“We kept it just the way you intended it to be… mostly.” He smiled and pushed the door open.

Her stomach clenched tight, Annabelle entered her home—and took a deep breath. “It’s okay,” she said, relieved.