Page 10 of Pleasure Island
4
Mila
I wouldn’t dream of it.
Yeah, right.
Sitting across from him, I tossed back what was left of my wine and put the glass down on the table with a snap.
“Private security?” I demanded. “For me?”
He made a dismissive motion with his hand. “Just for a little while. Until I get this mess straightened out.”
“This mess that I’m not supposed to get drag into, remember?” I didn’t wait for him to respond as I leaned forward and dropped my head into my hands. I had a headache.
I had amassiveheadache, and it had all started less than five minutes ago when Dad casually dropped a comment about how I might consider hiring a bodyguard.
Abodyguard.
“What kind of letters and phone calls have you been getting?” I asked, not looking at him. “Have you called the police?”
He was quiet for so long, I almost wondered if he’d heard me. But then I looked up and saw the sheepish expression on his face. “Let me guess…the police are already looking into things. Looking atyou,” I added, so disgusted it wasn’t even funny. “I thought you were done with that!”
He’d been investigated before for shady business practices – that was my term. Once the charges had been dismissed, he’d promised he’d straighten his act up.
So much for that.
“Sweetheart, it’s not that big of a deal. This is more of a…labor dispute,” he said, beaming at me.
I didn’t want to hear it.
Lifting a hand to silence him before he could go any further, I said, “I don’t want to know. I don’t want to hear about it, know about it, nothing.”
He was quiet for a long moment, then asked, “Are you going to consider hiring a bodyguard, Mila? I want you safe.”
“I can take care of myself,” I said shortly, rising from the chair. I grabbed my bag and resisted the urge to walk off without telling him goodbye. Losing my mother had taught me to value the people who mattered to me, and Dad, as impossible as he was, did matter. I paused by his chair and kissed his cheek.
He sighed, patting me on the shoulder. “I’m sorry you’re disappointed, Mila. But please, consider the security.”
“I already have. And…no.” I shook my head. “Think how it would make my clients feel if they saw armed goons standing outside my office.”
At the mention of my practice, he made a face. “I wouldn’t think anything would sway your clients.”
My entire head went hot with anger, and he raised his hands in apology. “I’m sorry, Mila. You know I just don’t understand this business of yours. But how could a discreet bodyguard cause any problems?”
I didn’t even want to think about it. Shaking my head, I said, “I need to go. Have a good night, Dad.”
* * *
I stoppedat one of my favorite hangouts on the way home.
I wasn’t in the mood for anything other than a drink, but when the hot guy next to me offered to pay, then asked for a dance, I decided what the hell.
While we were swaying to the music, he slid a hand around my waist and tugged me in a little closer. He was smooth about it, making it clear I could break contact or back away any time I wanted.
But I didn’t want.
He’d told me his name, but now I couldn’t remember what it was. Tipping my head back, I met his eyes in the low light.
