Page 1 of Protecting Peyton

CHAPTER 1

Peyton

I turnedto the window and watched her reflection in the glass while pretending to study the courtyard outside.

When I saw Serena Benson stop taking pictures and put her phone away, I lifted the flute of sparkling apple cider to my lips and turned back to the festivities. Grace Brennan had been my boss for the last several months, and this was her birthday party turned engagement party.

Grace glowed as only a woman who’d just tonight accepted a marriage proposal could. After what she’d been through with two competing criminal mobs after her, she deserved her happiness.

Terry Goodwin, her fiancé, approached with a bottle of champagne. “Peyton, can I top off your glass?” He was the hulking former Marine sniper who’d saved Grace from the mobs.

“No, thanks.” I pulled my glass away. “I’m my own designated driver.” Atlanta had taught me the hard lesson that alcohol could dull my senses enough to be dangerous.

Terry nodded and moved off to fill other people’s glasses.

I made my way over to Grace. In addition to being my boss, she had become the closest thing to a friend I had since moving to Los Angeles. Her kindness meant the world to me since I was only in touch with one person from my past.

I looked down at the gorgeous ring she’d just received. “Happy birthday and congratulations.”

She glanced at her hand. “Thank you. I’m glad you could make it.”

“Free food? You couldn’t keep me away.” It was only partly a joke.

She fiddled with the diamond ring. “This is all a bit overwhelming. Such a surprise.”

“He loves you. I’d kill for a man like him.” That was both true and a lie. A man was a luxury I absolutely couldn’t afford in my situation.

A dreamy look overcame her for a moment. “Yeah. He’s pretty great.” Cocking her head to the side, she added, “You know, Zane’s not so bad.”

I coughed. “Not in the market, remember?”

Not going there.No menwas one of my rules—rules meant to keep me safe. Besides, Zane March asked too many questions. I sensed the insanely hot man was dangerous in more ways than one. I referred to him exclusively as March, so I could keep the private security specialist at a safe distance. Maybe one day, if I am as lucky, I’d be free to pursue the kind of love Grace had found—if I was lucky.

“You said?—”

“I meant someday. Not today.”

She shrugged. “You sound like me last month.”

I hadn’t been in town long enough to know the whole story, but everybody said Terry and Grace being together was a miracle. They had been at each other’s throats for years before the attacks that threw them together.

“You have to join us when we move this to Tito’s,” Grace added after a moment.

“I don’t know,” I hedged. “It’s getting late.”

“Please?”

I rolled my eyes. “Sure.” How could I say no to the birthday girl?

“We can give you a ride home at the end of the night.”

She and Terry were truly good people.

“I’ll be fine. It’s not raining or anything.” I’d ridden my trusty e-bike, Trigger, to get here. It was the only conveyance I’d allowed myself after my last move. It didn’t require any paperwork.

“Biking at night is not the safest thing,” she countered.

“I’ll take you up on that if it starts raining,” I answered.