Page 34 of Guarding Grace

Peyton led the way and whispered, “Bodyguard?”

“Temporary,” I whispered back, then fell in behind her.

With Terry beside me, my stomach calmed. I hated needing to have him here, but I liked that he wanted to be with me. I took a breath before we followed Peyton into the demo room.

Mrs. Eclestone was everything I’d been told to expect—clear skin, impeccable makeup, and nicely styled hair, longer than normal for a woman of her age, and without a speck of gray.

Her perfection made me question my decision against makeup.

One of our materials brochures sat in front of her, alongside Gucci glasses. Yes, she was a woman who kept up her appearance and would expect elegance in her house as well.

“Mrs. Eclestone, this is Grace Brennan, our visionary and the owner of SpaceMasters.”

I rounded the table and gave the woman my best smile and handshake.

She looked up and squinted at Peyton. “Thank you, dear. You may leave us.”

I took the seat opposite her, careful to sit upright on the edge and not put pressure on my butt where I’d been hit by that stupid Taser.

She waited until Peyton had closed the door to lift her Gucci glasses to her lip and pause. “Young lady, I was told excellent things about you, but frankly I’m very disappointed to find that this is the way you run your business.”

I pasted on a smile and steeled myself for more. “I’m sorry to hear that.” She was the customer, and the customer always came first, even if she was a pretentious bitch.

“How can I have confidence that you’ll be on time with my project if you’re late to a simple meeting? We’ll be in Europe for only a short time, so I have a very tight window to have the work completed.”

“She was mugged last night,” Terry interjected. “Then Tasered and almost kidnapped this morning.”

I put a hand up at Terry. “That’s not important.” I didn’t need him defending me at my business meeting.

Mrs. Eclestone dropped her precious glasses.

Terry didn’t stop. “She should’ve gone to the hospital, but she prioritized this meeting with you over herself, so I think you should cut her a little slack.”

“Enough,” I growled.

Mrs. Eclestone’s jaw went slack as her gaze zeroed in on my face. “Oh, my dear, I had no idea,” she exclaimed. “That must’ve been horrible.”

“It’s over now,” I lied. If we didn’t focus on her design, I could lose this sale and the potential of others to all her upscale friends. “I think we should get started on your project.”

She ignored me. “And who might you be?” she asked Terry.

I shifted my weight to my thighs, hoping for a more comfortable position. “Mr. Goodwin is my bodyguard.” I wished I could use another, more personal term.

Mrs. Eclestone’s brows creased. “Perhaps you should trade him for a better one.”

I held back my gasp at her insult.

Terry tensed.

“Without him, I wouldn’t be here right now.” I sucked in a short breath. “He saved me both times, fighting off multiple men with guns and knives.” I paused. “Now, about your project?—”

“That can wait.” She turned. “Mr. Goodwin, is it? May I get your card? If you’re that good, I know some people who might wish to use your services.”

Terry spoke up before I could complain. “Have them call Lucas at Hawk Security.”

The old lady’s brows rose. “My goodness. Would that be the Lucas Hawk who saved Amy Wienhausen a few years ago?”

Terry nodded. “The same.”