Billionaire Protector - Alexa Hart Page 0,25

over you,” I added, winking and presenting my arm like a gentleman.

Anne laughed out loud then and shook her head. “You’re hilarious.”

“I’m serious, Anne.” I held her gaze for a moment, my smile gone. She shivered, but I couldn’t tell if it was from being cold or the intense stare we were sharing.

“Okay. Well. Let’s get this over with.” She laced her little arm through mine and let me lead her away from the truck. Her cheeks were blazing red again, and I realized that no matter who the party was for tonight, I was the one who had the most impressive reason to celebrate.

I hadn’t been wrong. Heads (mostly male ones) turned constantly as we wandered through the crowd. I wanted to find my dad and get the introduction over with, but instead, we just kept bumping into brother after brother.

We found Payden first. He looked like he might even be having a good time. But that wasn’t a surprise, because Jessie was with him. Not as his date – they were strictly platonic (and God save the person who was ever brave enough to challenge that fact) – but as his social buffer, if nothing else. Pay could have fun when Jessie was around, because Jessie wouldn’t allow anything less.

Anne stiffened slightly when I halted in front of the pair. “Payden, Jessie. I’d like to introduce you to my date. Meet Anne.”

Payden was stunned into silence – I hadn’t ever followed through with my plan to tell him about Anne on the previous day. Mostly because I hadn’t been able to find him, but partially because the conversation I’d had with Dad about her had left me feeling... weird.

“So nice to meet you!” Jessie was the first to speak, which wasn’t surprising at all. Her dark eyes looked like they were going to bounce off her face with pure glee. She grabbed Anne’s hand excitedly, giving it a few happy shakes. “I’m Jessie Timms. Friend of the family and bodyguard to one Mr. Payden Hardick.” Payden shot her an embarrassed scowl, and Anne let out a quiet giggle.

“I’m Payden. And I do not need a bodyguard,” Pay said politely, throwing the last part in Jessie’s direction. He also extended a hand – which seemed to shake a little, as Payden rarely talked to or touched anyone or anything besides the horses. Anne accepted the greeting graciously.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Anne. Hardware store genius.” This made Jessie and Payden both laugh, and I was happily surprised at how the introductions were going. Anne’s bit of sarcasm was just the right touch to put everyone at complete ease, and I was oddly proud of her.

“Smith’s Hardware?” Payden inquired, shocking both Jessie and I with his second non-obligated vocalism. It was like watching a baby deer learn how to use its legs.

Anne looked confused, and I knew that she probably had no idea what he was talking about.

“She’s at Kate’s Supplies. In Corydon,” I offered, and Anne flashed me a grateful look.

“Corydon! The first bar I ever went to was in Corydon. I wanted to go somewhere far enough away from my parents so that no one would know me. Horrible mistake. Only one bartender running the place, but he knew the second I stepped in there that I was underage. He called my parents. I got grounded.” Jessie rambled out her story as though it was front page newsworthy, and Payden shook his head silently beside her.

Anne was giggling, and I thought it was the perfect moment to cut off the conversation. It had gone well with Payden – not that I had expected much less. Payden was generally accepting of everyone, as long as they left him alone.

One brother down. Two brothers to go. And Dad.

I was slightly nervous about Dad. I knew he’d be the perfect gentleman towards Anne, but I also knew he’d be gathering as much insight into her psyche and background as he possibly could. He couldn’t help it. It was just the way his brain worked. “Every person I meet adds something to my writing.” He’d told me and my brothers this a million times, at least. The idea of it had never made me uneasy before.

But now he was meeting Anne. My Anne.

You don’t even know her last name, dumbass.

Instead of Dad, we next found Pierce. Anne’s eyes were flying all over the place, taking in the people, the décor, and all of the ridiculous extravagance. Pierce, however, honed directly in on