Page 51 of Protecting Love

“You’re a doorman now?” she asked.

“Get in,” he said. “I’m not any happier about this than you.”

“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. You’re doing your job.”

“I am. You can make it difficult or we can try to get along. Either way, I’ll be here to watch out for you and keep you safe.”

“From dead rats?” she asked, smiling and sliding into the backseat.

He climbed in next to her. “I’d like it to end with dead rats if it’s all the same to you.”

Once Marcus pulled away from the curb, he turned to look at Paris. Marcus wouldn’t say a word. He knew what was going on and having a driver with Marcus’s background was another form of protection.

One that Paris didn’t know about nor need to right yet.

West, on the other hand, was thrilled and interested in having another driver on in the same capacity. He had his ear to the ground for that.

“I’m sure it’s someone playing a prank.”

“A poor one at that.”

She sighed. “Yeah. I shouldn’t be on edge.”

“There is no need to be. I won’t leave your side.”

“Maybe that’s why I’m on edge,” she mumbled.

He wanted to ask what she meant but knew there were some things that were best left unsaid.

Marcus pulled in front of the venue, got out and opened the door for him, then he stood there while Paris got out next and slid her arm through his.

The whole “they were on a date” thing was her idea.

She refused to let anyone think she needed protection.

West didn’t care how it was done, as long as it was.

And it didn’t seem as if Fletcher had much of a choice.

“Relax,” he whispered in her ear, felt her shiver and grinned. “If we are supposed to be dating, no one is going to believe it if you’re tense.”

She squared her shoulders. “At least we match.”

“It was black tie,” he said. “Kind of hard not to match when we’ve got to wear black.”

“You’re not wearing a tie,” she pointed out.

“Nope. Maybe they will turn us away and we won’t have to go in.”

He’d be back at his house after he deposited her ass home and checked her place before she went in and he could grab a slice of pizza with his son and his friend.

“I highly doubt that,” she said. “And Nelson will be here with Kenzie, so it’s not as if you won’t know anyone. He’s coming with Laken and Jamie with Jamie’s driver.”

“I’m aware,” he said.

“Ah, that’s right. You know it all.”

“Remember that.” He slipped his arm around her waist. Just for the hell of it.