Rugged Guard - Jason Collins Page 0,44
think.”
“Has he ever tried to be alone with you or your brother?”
“I think he might’ve talked to Eddie a few times, but that’s just because they get along—”
“But he’s never tried to be alone with you?”
“Has he ever tried to be alone with you?” I turned Derek’s question back around on him. “And you never answered my question.”
“What question?”
“Why do you care so much about Austin, Derek?” I pressed. “I swear, you went pale when he said he wanted to stay another week.”
“You don’t think it’s strange?”
“I don’t think what’s strange?”
“Austin,” Derek explained. “He comes out of nowhere after your dad dies. And he’s been here ever since.”
“What are you suggesting, Derek?”
“I’m not suggesting anything.” He shrugged. “I’m just… considering.”
“Considering what?”
“Everything that has to do with Austin. Everything that has to do with the guest who, week after week, you can’t seem to shake.”
“Yeah, but Austin isn’t the first person to come to Park City in an attempt to find themselves,” I replied. “We’ve had guests stay for months like that before.”
“But not right after your father passed away,” Derek muttered. “And not right after you found a bunch of threatening letters.”
“You think Austin had something to do with the letters?”
“I don’t know.” Derek sighed. “But it wouldn’t surprise me. Honestly, I’m starting to think that he’s working surveillance for… whoever your dad might’ve been dealing with. Hell, for all we know, maybe Austin is the real bodyguard, the one protecting you and Eddie from a business rival, something like that.”
“So, what? You’re saying that you think if someone tries to hurt me Austin’s going to suddenly jump out of the bushes with a Glock?” I couldn’t stop the smirk that came over my face. “Have you met Austin Sherman?”
“You shouldn’t underestimate people.”
“And you shouldn’t act like the whole world is out to get me—”
“Parker, I act that way because I don’t know who is out to get you,” Derek interrupted. “I’m trying my best to protect you, but there are way too many opportunities for me to be blindsided by things I just didn’t know. And I… I just don’t want anything to happen to you, especially not if I could’ve prevented it.”
Derek turned his head away from me for a moment, his expression turning tired and hard.
And as I stared back at him, I mumbled out the words, “Do you want to go upstairs?”
“What?”
“Do you want to go upstairs?” I asked again. “To my bedroom?”
“Yeah. I do.” Derek nodded as he stood up from the table. “It’s not like I have the stomach to finish dinner anyway. And it’d probably be better to continue our conversation in private since Austin could’ve bugged the dining table.”
With that, Derek was already headed toward the nearest set of stairs, not stopping to spare me another look.
By the time I reached my bedroom, Derek was already leaning against one of my walls, his focus seemingly just as muddled as it had been during our previous conversation. There was just something about Derek’s expression that hinted at him being far, far away, despite being in the same room as me, only standing a few feet apart.
“Are you still thinking about Austin?” I asked as I walked through the doorway. “Derek, I really don’t think he’s whoever you think he is—”
“We don’t know that,” Derek replied. “We can’t know that, Parker. And since it’s my job to keep you safe… I want you to promise me something.”
“What is it?”
“I want you to promise me that you’ll be careful around him,” Derek continued. “I want you to promise me that you won’t let your guard down. With Austin. With anyone. At least until we figure out what’s happening with your father.”
“Derek—”
“Parker, please,” Derek went on. “I can’t be with you all the time. And I just… if I’m going to keep you safe, I’m going to need at least a little bit of audience participation.”
“Okay.” I let out a loud sigh between my words. “I’ll be more careful. I’ll even start patting down the guests when they walk through the door.”
“Parker, be serious—”
“I am being serious. I’m always being serious,” I mumbled as I brought my hands up to Derek’s chest, resting my palms against his t-shirt. “I’m absolutely exhausted from being so serious all the time. Aren’t you?”
“Are you asking me if I’m tired of doing my job?”
“No. I’m asking you if you’re tired of having this conversation for the millionth time,” I clarified. “I’m asking you if you’d rather do something else than