Page 6 of Island Guardian (Brookwell Island #7)

“Me either.” He’d never admitted it aloud before.

“I’m not dating anyone. There’s no one who might get hurt if we do this.

Come on. It’s the best way to protect you and put an end to the nonsense.

” The best way to shield her from whatever scared her about Gallo.

“I guess you could just hire a bodyguard. You have the contacts.”

“I don’t need a bodyguard,” she stated firmly. “I shouldn’t need a husband.”

He swung over, perching on the coffee table, his knees almost touching hers.

“Nothing about this sounds fair. I get it. But your idea has merit.”

“With someone willing to fake it,” she protested. “Not with you.”

“I’m a great actor,” he lied. “Plus, I’m a known quantity. You need someone reliable, someone you can count on to help in the short-term and walk away when you give the word.” He tapped his chest. “That’s me, Trina. I can be that friend for you.”

“Why would you do this, Rhett? You hate me.”

Mostly at the moment he hated himself for allowing a few months of hard competition to get under his skin.

He’d been immature and overconfident during their year in France.

He hadn’t exactly been skating—his parents would never put up with that—but he’d been sure he knew all the answers in the hotel industry.

Trina had put him in his place and constantly losing to her had inspired him to become better at his career.

Now he was the idea guy in the family. Recently, other operations sought his expertise on think tanks or consulting gigs.

“I’ve never hated you. My ego got the better of me, that’s all. I’ve grown since then.”

He resisted the urge to touch her. He extended his hand, palm up. “It’s your choice, Trina. However this plays out, it will always be your choice.”

He waited for her to say or do anything. Just as her lips parted, a knock sounded at her door. “Did you order room service?”

“No.” She carefully scooted across the couch so she could rise without touching him. He deliberately chose not to be offended. “And before you lecture me, the staff doesn’t contact me after hours unless there’s a serious problem.”

At the door, she pressed up on her toes to look through the peephole. Whoever she saw out there, she lurched back. “It’s him,” she whispered.

Gallo . He steadied her then looked for himself, taking stock of the man in the hallway holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Trina?” he called. “I’m here, my darling.”

Rhett gritted his teeth and turned to her. “Want me to take the lead?”

She nodded, her eyes wide and her hand curling around his arm. He wasn’t sure she realized she had a hold of him. Regardless, he’d work with it, use it to her advantage. He opened the door, delighted to see Gallo’s slick smile fade into shock.

“Hello?” The man tried to summon a pleasant expression as he addressed Trina. “My darling, how are you?”

“Hello, Luca.”

“We weren’t expecting you,” Rhett said.

“I’m early.” Luca glared at the way she clung to Rhett. Recovering, he held out the flowers. “For you, la mia bellissima ragazza. ”

“She’ s not your girl,” Rhett replied. He smiled at her, “Though, I agree, she is beautiful.” He accepted the flowers on her behalf. “Go on in,” he suggested as casually as he could. “Those need water. I’ll be right there to finish packing.”

Her eyes widened briefly at his blatant implication. “Thank you. Grazie .”

“You won’t invite me in?” Luca wheedled, craning to see around Rhett, but she was already out of sight.

Rhett stepped into the hallway and the door closed with a snap. He could only hope she didn’t lock him out along with Gallo. Then again, he didn’t want her at risk if things turned ugly out here. “How did you find us?”

“Us?” His dark eyebrows drew tight over an aquiline nose. “No, no. This is Trina’s home.”

“How?” Rhett folded his arms over his chest.

Gallo was tall and lean, all sharp edges and angles emphasized by his expertly tailored suit. Rhett figured he dressed up after checking in, because there wasn’t a wrinkle in sight. He had not flown from Italy in that suit.

“This is between Trina and me. Please excuse yourself.”

“Not happening.”

“Who the hell are you?” Gallo snarled.

Ah, here was the real man, now that Trina was out of sight. He stuck out his hand. “Rhett Ellington. You are?”

“Luca Gallo. Friend of the Bollani family.” He puffed up his chest. “Soon to be Trina’s husband. If she’ll have me. Her parents have given me their blessing.”

“How nice for you.”

“She must have told you of my arrival.”

“Rings a bell,” he allowed. “You’re early. We weren’t expecting you for a few more days.”

“And yet, a room was ready.”

That proved nothing. “That’s kinda the point of a place like this,” Rhett said. “How did you find our door?” Rhett pressed. “There’s no marker.”

“Her mother gave me the information.” Gallo’s chin notched higher. Did the man have any idea what a tempting target it made? “How else would I call on her?”

Rhett let the silence hang there between them. “All right. You’ve delivered your flowers, she’s aware that you’re here. Good night.”

“I’m not leaving without speaking to her.”

“She didn’t seem so keen on talking to you. And we’re headed out. So… Bye.” He pasted a patently false smile on his face and waved.

“Who are you to her?”

“I don’t believe that’s any of your business.” He didn’t bother with any posturing, simply held his position there in front of Trina’s door. “You need to leave this hallway. Now.”

Gallo took a slow step back, then another, headed for the stairwell.

“Mr. Gallo?”

He glanced back over his shoulder. “Yes?”

“Do not return without a direct invitation.”

Gallo’s dark eyes flashed with temper and then he stormed off.

Rhett knew the reprieve wouldn’t last. The man was slick and way too sure of his success. They needed to move quickly if they were going to outmaneuver him.

He rapped softly on the door. “Just me. I’m alone.”