“And I love my girl. Let Blessing off the hook about her overprotectiveness, okay? She doesn’t know any other way to protect her family. And she’s lost a lot.”
I nodded against her hair and breathed through the tears that wanted to surface. Today I’d be strong, I’d be beautiful, and I’d get the job done. Not only for Blessing but for myself. I needed to make strides in my recovery and getting back to work was just one hurdle toward that goal.
“Mama loves you.” She kissed my temple and backed up. “Did you eat something?”
I grinned. “Yeah, I had cookies and tea.”
“Please eat a good lunch,” she requested, shuffling over to where Ryan was leaned against the cabinets, one arm crossed over his chest and the other mimicking that pose but holding a cup of Joe.
“Good morning, Agent Russell. Can I make you some breakfast?”
I waved at Ryan. “Bye, Mama,” I said as I headed toward the front door where a huge Hispanic man stood sentry. He wasn’t overly tall, maybe close to six feet or just under. Though the dude was built. A wall of muscle from top to toe. He had thick, luxurious black hair that was parted at the side and swept back at the top. His face was angular, cut with harsh lines that made him seem dangerous but also sleek, like a wild panther.
“Oh, hello.” I smiled.
“Ma’am.” He moved to open the door for me.
“You’re taking care of my sisters?” I pressed my hand to stop him from opening it.
“Yes, ma’am. Charlotte, Liliana, Genesis, and one small child named Aurora.”
I grinned. “Don’t let Charlie hear you call her Charlotte.” I mock shivered.
He smiled a bright white beautiful smile against his brown sugar-colored skin. He was clean-shaven and his cologne was a heady, pleasurable mix of musk and man.
“I’m Addy.”
“Omar Alvarado.” He reached a hand out.
I shook it and took in his kind, warm brown eyes, square jaw, and hulking form. Liliana was going to crush on this man hard. He was exactly her type. Our sprite loved a big guy, and she preferred dating Hispanic men.
“You married?”
His eyebrows pulled together as he frowned. “No, why?”
I shrugged and winked. “No reason. Take care of my sisters.”
“I’ll protect them with my life,” he stated with purpose.
“I’m counting on that.”
I was about to open the door when I heard the shuffling of little feet dashing down the stairs.
“Wait, wait!” I heard Liliana holler.
She came barreling down the rest of the stairs, across the entry, and through the living space in a flirty little cotton dress that moved with her before she crashed into me.
I took her into my arms and snuggled her petite frame close. She wore a sweet-smelling perfume mixed liberally with something lemony. She always smelled good enough to eat. I glanced at Omar whose entire body went stock still, but his gaze was absolutely not. It ran up and down my sister’s little body and he bit into his bottom lip. Everyone had a tell when they were interested in a person romantically. As a model, I picked up on these things. Especially a man hitting on a woman. People always thought models were loose and down to party. I was not but that didn’t mean I didn’t get my fair share of being hit on…regularly. Omar was into my sister Liliana. I’d bet my bank account on it.
She pulled back. “I didn’t want you to leave without saying goodbye.”
I cupped her beloved cheek and took in her beauty. Curly hair just hitting her shoulders. A beautiful espresso color that was a natural gift from the Big Guy. Super high rounded cheekbones, flawless, golden bronzed skin, perfectly arched eyebrows I’d kill for, and plump, cherub-like lips. The woman didn’t even need makeup, she was so genuinely gorgeous.
Omar grunted next to us.
“Oh.” I lifted my chin to Omar standing next to us. “This is Omar, your bodyguard. He’ll be taking you to and from work today along with Charlie and Gen.”
She frowned. “Bodyguards… ¿Qué? Por qué?”
“Blessing’s doing.”
She rolled her eyes. “That girl.” Then she finally took in her bodyguard and her eyes widened and a pretty red hue tinged her cheeks. Liliana lifted her hand and pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, then looked down at the ground and then back up. “Um, hola. I’m Liliana.”
He smiled and I watched as she visibly swallowed then let out whatever breath she was holding.