Page 59 of Pleasure Island
20
Mila
Normally, I enjoyed my weekends. Under normal circumstances, I might have been thinking about going out to a club or calling some friends about a movie.
Something.
But the only way I was going to a club or a movie would be if my bodyguard tagged along – and while I wouldn’t mind if it was Liam, Liam had been off yesterday and today.
His replacement was a stern-faced guy who made Liam look positively outgoing. He could be on duty for hours, and we’d barely speak five words to each other.
And there wasnoway I was going to think about going out or making plans with him along.
I spent that Saturday puttering around the house, taking care of errands and doing some online shopping. I was considering going to the pub on the next street over when somebody knocked at the door.
I didn’t even get out of the living room before my bodyguard intervened, holding up a hand in a familiar signal.I’ll deal with this, that hand said.
Annoyed, I went to peer out the window.
He gave me a dark look where he stood with his hand on the doorknob.
“You can open up,” I told him. “It’s my grandmother.”
That stern face of his didn’t soften even a little as he complied, opening the door for Millie to come inside.
She arrived in a cloud of Chanel No. 5, all smiles as she greeted my bodyguard then came bustling over toward me. We hugged each other, and she brushed my hair back from my face. “I take it that Liam is off today?” she asked, gesturing toward the man who’d taken his place back up by the door.
“Yes. He’s back on tomorrow.”Thank goodness. I didn’t look at the Grim Reaper who stood looming in the doorway. It wasn’t really his fault we hadn’t connected and that I all but counted the hours on the days when Liam wasn’t here. “Come on. I haven’t eaten lunch yet. I’ll make us something.”
“That sounds delightful.” She put her bag down and the two of us – thethreeof us – walked into the kitchen.
Millie’s eyes widened slightly as she turned to face me. “Do you ever have any privacy now?”
“Very little,” I said, annoyance showing in my voice.
It wasn’t as bad when Liam was there, and it wasn’t just because we were sleeping together either. Liam didn’t feel like he was a burr, rubbing at the tender, exposed skin.
Determined not to think about it and let it ruin my mood, I gestured for her to sit at the breakfast bar while I rummaged around for something to eat. “Sandwiches okay, Grandma?”
“Oh, yes. I’m not picky.”
We chatted as I got everything together and joined her at the bar. As we put our sandwiches together, Millie asked, “I don’t suppose your father has told you anything more about this threat against you, has he?”
“He’s not even sure there is a threat.” Rolling my eyes, I slathered some mustard on the bread and topped off my ham and swiss creation.
“He must have some reason to think there’s a threat to you. Otherwise…” Millie’s eyes strayed toward the silent man by the doorway.
“He worries too much.” I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about it either. The more I do, the bitchier I get.”
Millie threw back her head and laughed. “I never would have thoughtyouwould bitch about having big, strong men hovering at your heels.”
I made a face at her.
That only amused her even more.
“You see what it’s like having somebody hover at your heels twenty-four seven.”
There was a knock at the door. Not in any hurry to disrupt my meal, I looked at my guard. He eyed me narrowly then turned to go see who it was.
