The Billionaire's Bodyguard Bride by Lisa Weaver Read Free Book Online Page B

practiced takedown techniques?”
    “It’s not your physical safety I’m concerned about. I know you can handle yourself. I’m worried Dimitriou’s going to get under your skin again. The bastard’s charming, and you’re going to be with him practically twenty-four/seven. I’m afraid the lines will get blurred.”
    “That’s not going to happen, Luke. I was naïve where Rafe was concerned two years ago, but I know what he’s all about now. I can do this and keep my heart intact. I promise.”
    “I think you’re underestimating your opponent. Dimitriou makes it his business to get what he wants.”
    Rafe was not the type of man you underestimated. She knew what she was up against. There was no arguing that he always prevailed when he set his sights on something, but his tenaciousness wasn’t going to be a problem in this instance. He didn’t want her. He’d made his feelings—or rather lack of them—perfectly clear when he’d walked away from her in Greece. Mere days after he’d cast her aside, he’d replaced her. The tabloids had featured him with a seemingly endless stream of arm candy ever since.
    “You’re confusing ‘want’ with ‘need.’ The only reason he sought me out is because he needs my help to secure a deal.”
    “I hope you’re right. For his sake. If he messes with you again, I guarantee Liz is going to have more than one threat against Dimitriou to worry about.”
    “I appreciate the thought, but you’re one of the good guys, remember? It’s your duty to protect, not to pulverize.” She decided it was time to turn the conversation to a different topic. “So what’s your new assignment?”
    Luke breathed a resigned sigh. “Guarding Rafe’s sister.”
    Surprise rendered Lauren temporarily speechless. “Wow,” she murmured once the enormity of her brother’s announcement sunk in. “Now that’s a news flash. I thought Rafe was an only child.”
    “The revelation came as quite a shock to the Dimitriou family, too. They only learned of the woman’s existence a few weeks ago. Rafe’s father, Philip, had had an affair. Twenty-three years ago the mistress disappeared from his life without a trace. He never got over her, and when his wife passed away, he set out to locate his former lover. When the investigator was finally able to track her down, it was too late. She’d died a year prior. But he found that the woman had a daughter. Philip’s daughter.”
    “Amazing.”
    “Yeah, and from what I’ve been able to gather from our intel, she’s quite a handful. Her dossier paints her as strong-willed, sharp as a whip, and a free spirit who wants nothing at all to do with her newly discovered family.”
    As covert bodyguards, Lauren and Luke generally remained invisible to the people they were tasked to protect, but certain situations called for closer interaction. She had a feeling if Luke had to make contact with Rafe’s sister, things could get interesting. The stubborn, independent side of Luke’s new charge would mix with her brother’s personality like oil and water. “Sounds like a challenge.”
    “I’m always up for a challenge,” her brother assured her. “And despite my giving you a hard time, I know you are, too. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
    “I will be,” she assured him. “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”
    “I hope so,” he sighed. “Good luck, sis.”

Opening her door to Rafe’s knock a few hours later, she knew she was going to need all the luck she could get to make it through the evening unscathed. Sexiness personified stood in her doorway. She wasn’t sure her newly fortified defenses were up to the challenge of deflecting Rafe in full pursuit mode. She was in trouble. He was trouble.
    His gaze raked over the black denim jeans and violet polo shirt she wore. “Gorgeous.” You do casual well.”
    Heaven help her, so did he. She hadn’t counted on the hormonal damage Rafe could wreak in faded blue jeans that hugged his