escalate to violence. I get that you’ve been independent and in control of your life for years now, but let me help, even if just a little. Let me at least know that you’re safe.”
She snorted. “In a building where someone took photos of me.”
“I already messaged security and my friend Alex as we’ve been talking. There will be added security guards stationed throughout the building and a bodyguard right outside my door, as well as another who will escort you wherever you go. Covertly, of course. You won’t even be able to spot him.”
“Branden…”
“Cara. I’ve seen some bad shit go down in the financial world. I don’t want you to be a casualty. That’s not something I can take. Stay at my place. Do it for me. Please.”
It was the simple please that undid her. That made her melt inside, just a little. The word had come out of his mouth so soft, almost pleading, in complete contrast to his demands and domineering method of communication. As if he’d placed his entire heart on the line with the one word.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll stay at your place, but only until this is ironed out.” Whatever “this” was.
Chapter 14
Branden’s driver was there within half an hour, as promised. He escorted her to the front desk in Branden’s building, where a security guard greeted her. “Mr. Duke asked that I accompany you upstairs,” he explained. They rode the private elevator to Branden’s floor, and when they stepped off the elevator, a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a dark suit and a grim expression was standing sentry just outside Branden’s front door. He looked like he could eat nails, and Cara pegged him as the bodyguard Branden had talked about.
The security guard knocked on the door, which was promptly opened by Branden. It didn’t look like he had any plans to leave for his Long Island mansion as he’d said. He was wearing faded jeans, a fine silk shirt untucked with the sleeves rolled up, and his feet were bare.
“I thought you were going to stay at the mansion,” Cara blurted out.
His furrowed brow relaxed and a hint of a smile formed at the corner of his mouth. “Thank you,” he said to the security guard after the man set down Cara’s bags. When the door closed behind him, Branden turned to Cara. “I said I would if that would make you more comfortable. Is that what you’d like me to do?”
Her mouth opened and shut. She knew she should say yes. But she was here now. And he looked so wonderful. She felt safe. “I don’t care,” she finally said.
She did, though. She cared that she wanted him around. Cared that she liked the feeling of him taking care of her. And cared that it felt like she’d suddenly lost control of her life. Frustrated, she plopped her weight into one of the sumptuous leather chairs in his living room and curled up into the buttery-soft depths.
“Are you okay?” he asked, sitting in a matching chair beside her.
“I will be. I just don’t like other people messing with my life, and really don’t like other people being in charge of my life.”
“No one else is in charge of your life, Cara. This is all about helping you and keeping you safe.”
“Safe from what, though? I don’t understand why you think that I’m not safe. Still, receiving that package…it scares me.”
“Do you remember the comptroller who was killed in an accident after the scandal that happened with your father?”
She pulled a face. “Yes. To be perfectly honest, I remember being happy when I read that in the paper. I know that sounds terrible, but my father’s death was still fresh and my wounds were still wide open. I needed someone to blame.”
“Don’t feel bad, he was a terrible man. But his death was suspicious. His brake line supposedly broke. And yet he was driving a brand-new car. I checked and there were no reports of other such incidents with that vehicle since.”
Swallowing, she used the moment to think. Oh, God. “You think Davies killed him?”
“I think Davies might have had a hand in it, yes. After all, the man was killed before Davies was brought to trial.”
“So you’re worried about Davies coming after me? Why would he, after all these years?”
“I don’t know if he would or not, and if this is him, I doubt he’s after you. I think I’m the one he has the problem with.” His face closed off and