Page 29 of Guarded Knight

Freya always has her phone on the highest volume, often even on speaker since she lost some her hearing when she was sick. Their voices waft through the tiny crack in the door.

“Hey, I don’t have much time,” he says.

“That’s okay. I’m working. Everything is set for the donor event coming up next week. All the auction prizes are sorted, and it’s nice this one isn’t too far from San Francisco or Echo Valley. Maybe we could stay ov…”

Kevin cuts her off. “Great. Keep yourself busy, sweetheart. Where are you now?”

The question instantly makes my hair stand on end. It’s a normal one, but anybody who has ever had a stalker doesn’t like it.

“We decided to work at Monarch Hills. It’s where Gabriel lives. You should see this place, horses, rolling paddocks, and…”

“That’s nice…” he cuts her off. “Just make sure your cowboy bodyguard keeps his hands off my princess.”

She laughs, but it’s one of her uncomfortable, tight ones. Or at least I think it is. I can’t tell if she thinks what Kevin said was meant to be cute.

But it makesthisgirl see red. I hate the way he talks to Freya, have done for a while, but now I don’t like the way he’s referring to Gabriel to top it off.

Yes, he’s a cowboy. Yes, he’s a bodyguard. But I’ve seen how he uses his hands. And it’s never careless.

“Don’t be silly,” Freya says. “Gabriel is so respectful it’s noble.”

I glance over at Gabriel, who stares hard at the floor, listening intently. Does he even give a crap?

I do.

“Well,” Kevin says, “just keep your eyes open. I know how much you put your faith in humanity. No offence, but it can be borderline naive. I just want to look out for you. Not everyone is a good guy.”

Gabriel and Rio exchange a glance at that, and Rio flicks his gaze to me.

“Does he always talk to her like that? Like she’s a child?”

He does, and I have mentioned it to her. I swallow, but my throat is dry. Cameron said some of the same types of things in the early days, and I’ve pointed that out to her before. But I decidethis time to back Freya, because she’s even more alone here than I am.

“He doesn’t know you guys. It’s probably putting him on edge.”

“He’s controlling,” Gabriel counters. “There’s a difference, and I know it when I see it. Or hear it.”

Sadly, that’s what my gut is saying, too.

When Freya comes back in, she’s flustered but cheerful. “That was nice of Kevin. He chased the car transport company, my car will be here, crack of dawn tomorrow.”

I nod, feigning normalcy. “That’ll be good.”

Gabriel’s still standing by the wall with his arms crossed and a fable on his tongue. He won’t lecture Freya, he wouldn’t act that superior, but he wants to.

Freya sits, chatting like nothing’s wrong, but my shoulders haven’t relaxed since I heard Kevin’s comments. Maybe it’s just me bringing my past into it. Maybe because he insulted Gabriel’s integrity. Or maybe Freya isn’t hearing the tone that many women don’t notice until they’ve already excused it too many times.

Or maybe Scarlet Hope possibly being shady is making Kevin seem even more so.

Gabriel hasn’t said another word either, but he checks his phone now. Jaw tight.

I’ll do anything to lighten the mood.

“G,” I call out, snapping him from his deep concentration, “are you okay over there or did the pastrami not sit right?”

Rio’s eyes snap up.

There’s a mournful look in Gabriel’s eyes. “Just thinking.”