Amy Vastine - Falling For Her Bodyguard

“At recess, we played tag and I was only it one time because I am super fast. I had my fast shoes on.”

“You have fast shoes?” Kelly asked, making Donovan chuckle. Avery had a pair of sneakers that he told her would make her run faster. He had to be careful what he said around Avery because she did not doubt anything he told her.

“They’re pink with silver sparkles. I wanted purple ones, but Uncle Donovan said they were fast shoes and I would run faster in them and he was right.”

“I think I might need him to buy me some of those shoes,” Kelly said, making eye contact with him in the rearview mirror. Those blue eyes were mesmerizing. “At the gym, I run on the treadmill and I can never go as fast as the guy who works out next to me. He always teases me.”

“Uncle Donovan, do they make the fast shoes for grown-ups?”

“I don’t know, Avery. I’m guessing not the same exact ones.”

“Shoes don’t make you fast, Avery,” Graham said from under his hood. “You’re fast because you’re fast. You don’t need stupid shoes.”

“They are too fast shoes and they’re not stupid!” Avery asserted. “Uncle Donovan said they are, so they are.”

“Uncle Donovan lied.”

“That’s enough, Graham,” Donovan warned. “Don’t make your sister upset because you’re mad at me.”

Graham pushed back his hood and glared at his uncle. “Do the shoes really make her fast? Are they magic shoes or did you tell her that because you were tired of shopping and you couldn’t find any purple shoes like she wanted?”

Donovan gave him a pointed look. “I said that’s enough.”

“You’re such a hypocrite.” The hood went back up. “You punish me for every little thing I do, but you lie to my sister every day.”

Donovan had no rebuttal. He was wrong and he was right. They drove in silence for a full minute.

“They are fast shoes, Graham. They are,” Avery said in her tiny voice. No one said anything after that until they pulled up in front of Kelly’s building.

“Do you want me to check your apartment?” he offered. Her building wasn’t one of the most secure places to live. Someone could sneak their way in with a little patience.

“I’ll be fine,” she said, opening her door. “If I see anything suspicious, I’ll text you.”

She gave Avery a hug and promised to eat dinner with them next time she came over. That was a good answer. As long as they never ended up back at his house, they could avoid spending an awkward meal together.

“See ya tomorrow,” Donovan said before she shut the door. He waited until she was safely inside before putting on his blinker so he could pull out into traffic.

“I think she’s my new best friend,” Avery said.

It made perfect sense why he had decided not to bring people into the kids’ lives. Avery got attached so quickly. He had thought this would be easier since he had no intention of getting into a relationship with anyone. But Avery could bond with a complete stranger in five seconds flat, and Kelly wasn’t a girlfriend. She wasn’t even a friend. She was a job assignment.

“Who was that? Why did you offer to check her apartment? Why are you going to see her tomorrow?” Graham asked. Donovan was surprised he was curious enough to say something.

“That’s my boss’s niece. She works at a radio station and someone was...being mean to her. I have to help keep her safe until we can find that person.”

“Why would someone be mean to Kelly?” Avery asked. “She’s so nice.”

“It’s hard to explain, sweetie.”

“Is someone trying to kill her?” Graham asked.

“Someone is going to kill her?” Avery screeched and then burst into tears.

“Are you serious right now?” he said to Graham. Donovan was ready to tape the kid’s mouth shut. Did he not understand how saying something like that could scare his sister? He tried to console Avery. “No one is going to kill Kelly. She’s totally safe.”

His phone chimed with a text. Don’t leave! was all it said.

Adrenaline flooded Donovan’s body. He hoped he hadn’t told Avery another lie.

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