Lionel: One Night with a Bodyguard

I’d worked with my fair share of high-profile clients as a personal bodyguard, but protecting Seraphina Tate might end up being my most challenging assignment yet.

“She doesn’t want it to look like she’s traveling with a bodyguard,” the slim woman behind the desk explained. Paige Gannen was Ms. Tate’s manager and the one who’d hired me to accompany the starlet to her cousin’s wedding in my hometown of Broken Bend, Texas. I’d received the call yesterday afternoon and had arrived in L.A. late last night.

If I didn’t have to head right back to Texas, I would have cruised down to San Diego for a few days to visit my brother Hunter. It had been way too long since we’d seen each other.

As for Ms. Tate, I was used to out-of-the-ordinary requests, but Ms. Gannen was tossing some curveballs my way that I hadn’t encountered before.

“How do you suggest we move forward? I don’t think anyone will believe I’m her stylist.” Based on the blank look on Paige’s face, my attempt at infusing a little humor into the situation fell flat.

“Sera should be arriving at any moment. We can discuss our options then.” Paige reached across her desk to hand me an envelope. “Here’s an itinerary for the trip, along with your boarding passes. If I’d had more notice, we could have arranged for a private plane, but since she decided to attend the wedding at the last minute, flying commercial will have to do.”

I slid the two boarding passes out of the envelope. At least we were flying first class. That would make it easier to protect her. Before I had a chance to glance over the itinerary, the door to the office opened.

“Sera, come in. There’s someone I want you to meet.” Paige got up from her chair, her arms outstretched.

I twisted around to see the woman who’d been on the list of most beautiful people in Hollywood for the past three years. My initial assessment agreed she not only belonged on that list, but she deserved the top spot. Dark red hair cascaded over her bare shoulders. Eyes the color of emeralds seemed to drink me in while she clutched Paige’s hands in hers and they exchanged air kisses.

“Lionel Knight, meet Seraphina Tate.” Paige stepped back while Seraphina and I sized each other up.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Knight.” She reached for my hand.

“The pleasure’s all mine, Ms. Tate.” I slid my palm against hers, unprepared for the assault of prickles that paraded up my arm at the contact.

I’d seen her before—anyone who’d been to a movie in the past five years had probably watched one of her films on the big screen—but she was even more beautiful in person. There was something about a successful woman at the top of her game that made her undeniably attractive. Whatever it was, Seraphina Tate had it.

Reluctantly, I let her hand go as Paige gestured to the two chairs facing her desk. “Please, have a seat. Your flight to Austin leaves soon, and I want to make sure we’re clear on expectations for the trip.”

Seraphina slid her bag off her shoulder and perched on the edge of the chair. “It’s my cousin’s wedding. No one even knows I’m going to be there. I’ll be in and out before anyone finds out I’ve left town. I don’t need a babysitter.”

Paige clasped her hands together. “We’ve talked about this. I filled Mr. Knight in on your unwanted suitor’s latest attempt to get your attention. He agrees it’s in your best interest not to travel alone. The last thing we want is for something to happen at the wedding.”

“Exactly.” Seraphina leaned forward. “I don’t want to take any of the attention away from Owen and Kira’s special day. That’s why I can’t show up with a bodyguard in tow. My family already thinks my britches are too darn big.”

My mouth curled into a smile at the southern twang that slipped out when she got riled up. I could have sat gaping at the beauty next to me all day, but that wasn’t why I was here. “Please, both of you, call me Lionel. Based on my experience, your stalker probably already knows you’ll be traveling—”

“Freddie’s not a stalker.” Seraphina tilted her head and rolled her eyes. “He’s just an overzealous fan. I seriously doubt he’d travel all the way from L.A. to Texas.”

“He’s more than an overzealous fan, Sera. I know you don’t want to think the worst of anyone, but it’s time to admit he’s taking things too far.” Paige held her client’s gaze until Seraphina broke eye contact first.

As soon as I’d received the call from Paige, I’d done my homework on Seraphina Tate. She had a reputation in the industry as someone with a soft heart. Article after article mentioned the hours she volunteered with local charities and the sizable donations she’d made to organizations in her hometown back in Georgia. I wasn’t surprised to hear her downplay the threat of an overzealous fan who might pose a serious risk to her safety.

Seraphina struck me as a woman who danced through life with a glass half full attitude. Lucky for her, I was a realist who’d stopped seeing the world through rose-colored glasses a long time ago.

“With all due respect, I think we should take any and all threats seriously.” I squared my jaw and held her green-eyed gaze. “In cases like this, it’s not unusual for someone to go to great lengths to get close to their mark.”

Paige’s lips spread into a smug grin and we waited for a response.

“Fine.” Seraphina tossed her arms up. “But he can’t be my bodyguard. Can’t he just show up and pretend he doesn’t know me at all?”

“I’m glad to see you’re being sensible,” Paige said. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve made all the arrangements. As far as everyone outside of this room is concerned, you’re traveling as a couple.”

“Whoa.” I stood, immediately defensive. “You never said anything about pretending to be involved.”
“It makes sense. We’ve already leaked that Sera is seeing someone. I thought the news might dissuade Freddie, but it hasn’t worked. Once he sees the two of you together, he might be inclined to give up his pursuit.”

“And if I say no?” Seraphina stood, crossed her arms under her ample chest, and tapped the toe of her high heel on the marble floor.

“Then cousin Kira ties the knot without you.” Paige stood and matched Seraphina’s stance.

“I can’t believe you did this without talking to me first.” Seraphina growled out the words and headed for the door.

I could understand her resistance. I’d been steamrolled into doing a hell of a lot of things others considered in my best interest. Though, as the man hired to protect her, the plan held some appeal. Posing as her date would give me the chance to stay close to her without anyone asking questions. A tiny voice inside my head whispered it would also probably give me blue balls since I couldn’t imagine pretending to be her boyfriend and keeping my hands to myself.

The curvy beauty stopped and wrapped her fingers around the door handle, then met my gaze with eyes that burned as bright as one of the backyard bonfires we used to hold at the Calhoun brothers’ ranch. “Are you coming, or what?”

I leaned toward Paige and mumbled, “My fee just doubled.”

She wrapped her spindly fingers around the arm of my suit jacket and squeezed. “Bring her back safe, and I’ll triple it.”

I nodded and turned to follow the fiery redhead, already anticipating the giant wrench this would throw into my weekend.