Page 69 of Close Protection

She studies me for a moment, completely ignoring Amelia and Henry’s mockery.

‘I think you should go,’ Henry imitates me.

‘No, he’s more gruff, like this –I think you should go,’ Amelia tries.

‘What do you mean he’s more gruff? I’m as gruff as they come.’

‘Hen, he sounds like he has ties to the Mafia, you sound like someone fromKingsmanorThe Gentlemen.’

‘Right? So how is that not gruff?’

‘It’s sexy, not gruff. His is sexyandgruff.’

‘What are you even talking about right now? I’m literally the definition of sexy and gruff.’

‘Of course you are, sweetie,’ Amelia soothes, stroking her small hand up and down his arm. The size difference is almost comical. ‘Of course you are.’

They continue bickering, but I tune them out as soon as Daphne says, ‘Okay, I’ll go.’ She says it quietly so only I can hear her, and, man, if that doesn’t make me feel special.

‘Good,’ I respond, trying to damp down a smirk when she gets shy and flustered under my gaze, reaching for herorange juice like it’s a lifeline.

After a sip, she places it down and begins to lift out of her seat. ‘Meet me in my room in half an hour,’ she whispers into my ear, so close her lips brush the skin. She walks out of the dining room without so much as a goodbye, and I have to gather myself before I stand so I tune back into Henry and Amelia’s conversation.

‘I’m literally the cutest, most princessy person you’ve ever met.’

‘No, Daphne’s cute and princessy, you’re like that sexy lady-in-waiting, if that’s a thing.’

‘Ugh, I don’t want to be a lady-in-waiting.’

‘Well, tough luck, gorgeous, that’s who you are. Actually, no, you’re more of a hot librarian.’

‘What?’ Amelia gapes.

‘Yeah, I definitely see that.’ Henry sits back in his chair, his eyes coasting over Amelia and his voice dropping low. ‘You’re all professional and hot… and sexy, and hot and—’

Okay, yeah, that’s my cue to leave. Jeez, they really do need a vacation.

I pull my chair up and stand, and only then do they break off their increasingly uncomfortable conversation. I mean, I get it, they’re two very attractive people. With Amelia’s tanned skin, light brown hair and hazel eyes matched with Henry’s large build, tattoo sleeve and symmetrical features,they’re a very good-looking couple. But just because they match well does not mean I need the ins and outs of their marriage.

‘Where did Daphne go?’ Henry asks, looking around the room as if she’s just gonna sprout up out of thin air.

‘She left.’

‘That was really informative, thank you, Milosh.’

I shrug and walk out before he can say anything else, and go to my room to get my swim shorts. Daphne said to meet her in her room in half an hour so that gives me enough time to get in a few laps.

‘Come in,’ I hear Daphne call out from behind her bedroom door. I enter her room and am greeted with a freshly showered Daphne, clad in what I’ve recently learned is called a loungewear set.

Her hair is straight again and it cascades delicately down her back. And her face is completely bare. She fiddles with her hands as I shut the door then close the distance between us, meeting her in the middle of her room.

‘Okay, so, now that I know we’re definitely going to the gala tonight we need to go through a few things.’ She perches on the end of her bed so I go to sit on her reading chair. ‘Number one, you’re gonna need to play my boyfriend again, if that’s okay with you. Isabella will be there and thatgirl can’t keep her mouth shut, so it would be weird if we don’t act like a couple.’

‘Okay.’

‘Okay, yes?’ She looks at me sceptically.

‘Okay yes, Miss Green. Continue.’