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“Loxley Hunts needs to be escorted off the property,” he ordered.
Levi didn’t ask questions, but spoke in a low voice into the thing he was wearing over his ear.Garrett waited until Levi confirmed it was being handled.There was a sudden ease in his body when he looked down at me.
“I should have done that earlier.I was unaware she had spoken your name.It won’t happen again.”
I glanced around to see if anyone other than Levi could hear us.“How can you just order her to leave?It’s a public place.”
Garrett’s lips twitched.“If I want something done, it’s not questioned.”
I was starting to realize that this went much farther than Ocala, Florida.His power.
“Why is that, Garrett?”I asked with a niggling feeling in my gut that had been there since we’d arrived.The way people treated him as if he had the authority to allow them to breathe.It was odd.
He studied me for a moment.“Tonight, after the party, I’ll answer any and all questions.It’s time you knew everything about me.”
That led my thoughts spinning in all directions.What did he mean by that?
“Right now, I want to dance with you.”
I nodded and went happily into his arms.
After two dances, Garrett took me over to introduce me to an older couple who had a racing farm in Kentucky.Others came up to us and began talking, looking curious about me and seeking Garrett’s attention.The more of them that came, the closer he held me to his side.I had noticed Gypsi’s arrival with Saxon and Trev, then the fact that it had become just her and Saxon.Trev had found two new females.The redhead from earlier was forgotten.
Gypsi’s eyes met mine, and she said something to Saxon.Then, they began making their way in our direction.I wanted to check on her, and I was thankful they were coming to see us.I was about ready to go seek her out myself.
The moment they reached us, I pulled Gypsi over to the corner, away from the crowd around us.
“Having fun?”I asked her hopefully, glancing back at Saxon, who was talking to Garrett.“He’s cute,” I told her, making sure she knew I approved.
She shrugged.“Yeah.But it’s a friends thing.I’m not ready to even think about dating yet.”
Seeing that flash of fear in her eyes, which she tried to mask, bothered me.
“Gypsi, you can’t go the rest of your life scared of guys and dating.Don’t give Tyde that kind of power,” I urged.
She had never been frightened before.Not until she’d met that awful Tyde when I moved us into the clubhouse.My stupidity had caused this.
“I’m not.It’s just that I missed the red flags with him and I realized it too late.I’m not giving him power.I am playing it safe.”
I reached over and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear.“Sweetie, he was mentally unstable.It was my fault you even met Tyde.I was the one who made the poor choices, and I will never forgive myself for putting you in danger.”If only I could get her to understand that and live again.I just didn’t know how to do that.
She held up her hand.“Stop.We’ve gone over this a million times.None of it was your fault.I was eighteen years old and perfectly aware of the choices I was making.Now, forget this.I don’t want to talk about it anymore.Go back to your billionaire boyfriend and have a fantastic night.”
Glancing over at Garrett, I caught his steady gaze on me.It did a slow sweep of my body.I took a deep, steadying breath, turning back to my daughter.
“He makes me feel like a princess,” I said softly.“I’ve never been treated the way he treats me, and I’m not talking about the money.It’s how he acts … as if I’m … special.I mean something to him.He wants to protect me.”Feeling ridiculous at my own admission, I rolled my eyes.“I sound silly.”
Gypsi reached over and grabbed my hand.“No, Mom, you don’t.You sound like you’ve finally found a guy who is worthy of you.Maybe.”
She looked truly happy for me.Perhaps Garrett was winning her over.
I laughed and kissed her cheek.“I love you, Gypsi Lu.I want you to be able to enjoy life, boys, dating, sex.”
The smirk on her face told me that she wasn’t interested in that right now.The guilt returned.
“I will.Just probably not with Saxon.Especially since he’s Trev’s best friend and … well, there’s the chance that Trev might end up being my stepbrother.”
I let out a laugh that was more forced than anything.I didn’t dare consider if that was something Garrett would want.He wanted me.He wasn’t in love with me.
