safe, but it didn’t leave much time for extras. Brunch with friends was probably out.
And come to think of it, she wouldn’t want to expose anyone else to any bad guys catching wind of her return.
“I’d like to choose my own security.”
Ethan relaxed back in his chair. Obviously he knew a victory when he witnessed one. “That sounds like a reasonable request.”
“I’d call it more of a condition.”
He laughed. “I see you haven’t lost a step. Condition. Got it. I can almost guarantee they’ll agree to that very reasonable condition.”
She smiled, finding him charming.
Darius leaned forward; he didn’t seem to find Ethan quite as appealing as she did. “There’s something else. Maybe you should tell Kate how you found her and how you can guarantee that no one followed you.”
She shot Darius a grateful glance for remembering that point. Bringing him along had been a good move.
Ethan hesitated, clearly reluctant to reveal his own trade secrets. “Is it enough if I just tell you that you’re still safe here?”
“Not even close,” Darius answered for her in a low growl.
It felt really good to have a guard dog by her side. More of a guard bear, taking into account his size.
“Like I said, I did some research and stumbled across the Lost Harbor connection. I figured it was worth checking out. As for guaranteeing Kate’s safety, I told my client that I was pursuing a lead but didn’t give any details. I turned my phone off before I left the city, took three different flights in case someone was following me, and I’ve been using a burner phone since I got here.”
That sounded thorough to her.
But Darius still didn’t look convinced. “We called the number that was on your business card.”
“I got that card printed in Anchorage.”
“Got a receipt for that?”
As they lobbed arguments back and forth, Kate looked from one to the other. What the heck were they fighting about? Why was Darius being so hostile to Ethan, after saying he was a decent guy?
“Darius, can I talk to you in private for a second?” She tugged him to his feet and led him around the corner to a little nook, where a door led to an enclosed terrace that contained an outdoor hot tub. He pushed open the door and they stepped outside. Immediately, a rough wind jostled them, like sharp elbows on a crowded bus.
Darius positioned himself so his big body shielded her from the worst of it. With his legs braced apart on the deck and his hair tossed by the wind, he looked like a pirate.
“I thought you vouched for Ethan. Why are you so suspicious?”
“Due diligence, isn’t that what you lawyers call it?”
“Are you sure we don’t call it being territorial?”
His expression shuttered. “You want me to back off.”
“No. You’re thinking of things I should have thought of. I’m just wondering if you think there’s something suspicious going on with Ethan.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets and hunched his big shoulders. “No,” he admitted. “I think he’s being straight. I just—” He made a sound like a growl. “Wish he wasn’t such a charmer.”
Secret joy sparked inside her. Darius was a little jealous. And that was kind of adorable. She kept her face neutral. “Can I ask you something?”
He jerked his head with a nod.
“Big guy like you, have you ever worked private security?”
Surprise lit up his face. “You want me to come with you to LA?”
“I do. I want someone who’s not connected to the law firm. Not that I don’t trust them, but…” She shrugged. “I’d feel more comfortable with someone I know, someone smart and strong. Could you get time off from the station?”
“I have backlogs of vacation time. Nate can take over for a few days. It’s not a problem.”
“So, Sir Armor-All. Would you like to play personal bodyguard for a couple of days? You and me and a hotel room in LA?”
Heat flared behind his eyes. Her pulse picked up and energy sizzled between them. A gust of wind swirled around them, making her sway toward him. Her nipples pebbled into hard peaks. This man, between her thighs…
She took a step back. This wasn’t a hookup, for heaven’s sake. It was a risky trip into her recent past.
Finally he nodded. “Yeah. I’ll be your bodyguard.” The roughness of his voice told her he was feeling the same lust that she was.
“Are you sure?” she asked innocently. “I mean, Ethan’s an LA local, and I’m sure he’s perfectly capable—”