Page 17 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)
“I agree that Braelyn needs to be safe. However, I will hire a professional from where I got mine. This kind of thing needs to be done by those who do it as their profession. No offense. I know you want to take care of her.”
“Let me clear up a misconception about my qualifications as a bodyguard. I’m more than qualified to do the job.
I work in a lot of different security situations.
It’s what I do for a living. I have all the necessary permits and my resume for you.
Isn’t it lucky that her man is precisely what she needs? ” Loki smiled over at me.
He had a hold of my hand. I had to admit, if only to myself, that I loved his hand in mine. And the way he looked at me, while fake, warmed me. If he were my real boyfriend, I’d love to have him acting this way. I smiled back.
Eli didn’t appear to appreciate Loki’s assurance.
I watched Loki pass him several papers with his free hand.
They were copies of his résumé, qualifications, and permits.
Last night, he’d been on a call with Outlaw.
By morning, these had come over, and we’d printed them off at home.
I had no clue if any of it was real or all fabrication.
But if Outlaw were anything like Crusher, they would stand up to scrutiny.
We sat there, not saying a word, as Eli scanned them.
The more he frowned, the more certain I was that he believed what he was reading but wasn’t okay with Loki doing the job.
I wondered what excuse he’d come up with to deny it.
Although if he did, Loki would do it anyway.
He told me that last night. This meeting was a formality to see if Eli would make it easier for us to pull this off.
Technically, I had the right to hire a bodyguard if I deemed it necessary, and my boss couldn’t deny it.
He might limit the areas Loki could freely access at the courthouse, but that was it.
Finally, Eli put the papers down and glanced up at us. What he said wasn’t what I expected. “I have to be honest. I’m surprised by something. It has me confused.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“You never mentioned you were seeing someone. How long have you two been dating? Why do I only know about it now? Why the secrecy?”
Damn it, he was going there. I hurried to divert him.
“We’ve been seeing each other for six months.
We met through mutual friends. I tend to be a very private person.
Mixing business and personal is a big no for me.
If lines are crossed and the relationship doesn’t work out, it can leave hurt feelings and even the need to find a new job.
Until I was sure that Loki and I were serious and we both wanted a lasting relationship, I kept that part of my life quiet. ”
“Everything Brae just said applies to me as well. Plus, we live over three hours apart. We tried it that way, and no matter the distance, we fought to see each other as much as possible. Finally, I knew. I couldn’t stand to stay away from her a day longer.
I came here on Sunday to tell her that. I prayed she felt the same way.
Thank God she did. I’ll stay at her apartment until my personal situation gets resolved back home.
I’m not letting this gorgeous, intelligent, desirable, funny woman slip through my fingers.
She’s everything I’m looking for. Braelyn is mine. ”
The way Loki said I was his was in a growl, like he was warning Eli or anyone else away. He was an alpha male staking his ultimate claim. I had to fight not to let my shiver show. Longing shot through my body. God, why did he have to be so perfect yet so inaccessible?
Eli turned his eyes to me. “And do you feel the same way, Brae? Is Loki the man for you?”
I nodded as I answered. I raised our joined hands and placed a kiss on Loki’s knuckles.
They were scarred and slightly rough. He’d been in a few fights.
Loki winked at me. “Yes, Eli, Loki is the man I want. I’ve been holding back for months, but not any longer.
I’m fully committed to the two of us making our relationship official. ”
“I was hoping for something more permanent, like marriage, but we’ll work you up to that,” Loki piped up to add, causing me to gasp.
Our staring into each other’s eyes was interrupted by Eli.
“Well, you appear ideally qualified, Loki. I hope you understand. This is an unusual situation. I would normally not allow a family member or friend to work directly with an employee. I’m still not sure I can allow it, even if your references and everything else check out.
A background check is a must. I should hire someone who isn’t invested in her. ”
There was a bite to Eli’s tone. Here it comes. He’ll boot Loki purely out of spite. We’d prepared for this.
“I would expect nothing less than to verify my stuff. And while I appreciate your desire to have someone neutral, I have to point out that Braelyn has the right to hire a bodyguard at any time, with or without her boss’s approval.” Loki’s voice had the same bite.
Oh shit, I hoped they wouldn’t get into a pissing contest. If they did, I might not have a job when Loki won. Yes, there was no doubt in my mind that he would be the winner. Eli didn’t know who he was messing with. Eli had stiffened.
“She does have to have her boss’s approval if she wants this office to pay for it.”
Loki smirked. “Then isn’t she lucky that I’ll do it for free if you don’t pay for it? My woman’s safeguarding is my duty and privilege. It’s what a real man does for his lady.”
It was clear that he’d backed Eli into a corner. We’d have to wait and see how that affected us. I crossed my fingers. The last thing I needed or wanted was for these two guys to get into it over me. Loki would have no clue why he ended up in a mess, so I wanted to avoid talking about it.