Keeping Guard Read Free

Bruce. He could never say no to Bruce, especiallynot after Bruce had saved his life so many years ago. He was forever indebted to his friend.
    He reached the alcove of his back door and stuck his key into the lock. He pushed the door open before turning to Harvey and Darlene. “I don’t know whether to thank you or tell you I never want to see you again.”
    â€œYou know you love us, Nate.” Darlene smiled sweetly, her rain bonnet reminding him a bit of a halo.
    Yes, he did love them and knew they were only watching out for a woman in distress…distressed for some unknown reason.
    He bid them good-night before sweeping his hand inside, motioning for Kylie to go in. Instead, she nodded toward the alley.
    â€œI’ll be going.”
    He raised his eyebrows. “Going where?”
    â€œI’m not sure. But I understand that you probably don’t want me here anymore after the headache I’ve caused you.”
    â€œYou’re not going anywhere.”
    The petite woman stopped and raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t sure if the look in her eyes was relief or fire. Maybe a mix of both. “Excuse me?”
    â€œI told your brother I’d watch after you. I plan on doing just that.”
    Her chin rose. “I don’t need a babysitter. I just need a place to lie low for a few days.”
    Good, she’d said a few days. He could put up with her for a week, but no longer.
    â€œYour apartment is already ready for you. It’s no problem. If it was, I would have said no.”
    He climbed the stairs and listened to the sound of her shoes clicking on the wood, a much more pleasant sound than his heavy stomps.
    Yep, just a few days. It was a good thing. The last thing he needed in his kitchen—or in his life—was a woman.

THREE
    H ow could her brother ever have trusted this cranky man?
    Their gazes locked, and Kylie knew this would be the longest week of her life. Yet at the same time, she couldn’t help but feel relieved that she had a place to stay, somewhere to lie low until the madman back in Kentucky was arrested.
    He would be arrested, right? The police had said they had a good lead and they should have the man behind bars within a matter of days. And with the man’s advances becoming more aggressive, they’d suggested that Kylie get away until everything was cleared up.
    She’d overcome obstacles before in her life—huge obstacles, she reminded herself. She could overcome this, also. Though it was the second time in her twenty-nine short years that she’d had to fight for her life, she’d learned a lot during that first battle.
    Nate cleared his throat, and Kylie snapped from her thoughts to see him waving her through a doorway. She averted her eyes and stepped over the threshold into a modest apartment located over the restaurant that Nate owned. The small space would be perfect—for a week.
    Her gaze swept the place. It appeared to have all that she needed—a great room with a breakfast bar separating the living room and kitchen, one bedroom and one bath. A wall ofboxes lined one wall, no doubt storage items for the restaurant in the previously unused space.
    â€œHome sweet home,” Nate muttered, a sour expression still etched on his face.
    Kylie swallowed before speaking. “I appreciate you giving me a place to stay. And I’m sorry for the rough start.” She silently begged him not to ask for any more details. Not now.
    He seemed to study her face for a moment before nodding. “I’ll need you down in the kitchen by nine for prep. We open at eleven.”
    Kylie nodded. “No problem.”
    He rubbed his head and turned to leave, but paused to point toward the ceiling. “I’m in the upstairs apartment if you need me.”
    He stepped into the hallway, and Kylie had the impression that it was in her best interest that she not need anything in the next eight hours. Regardless, she cleared her