The Bodyguard and Ms. Jones Read Free Page A

me bring Mr. Blackburne over here.”
    Allison’s big green eyes widened. “Where’s he going to sleep?”
    â€œIn my room. It’s downstairs.”
    â€œDaddy won’t like that.”
    Cindy didn’t bother pointing out that Daddy had given up his right to complain when he’d walked out on his family nearly two years ago.
    â€œDaddy doesn’t care about us, stupid,” Jonathan said.
    â€œHe does care, and I’m not stupid. Shelby says you’re stupid.”
    â€œAt least I’m not dumb enough to talk to invisible people.”
    â€œShe’s not invisible. She just doesn’t want mean boys like you seeing her.”
    â€œChildren!” Cindy said loudly. “Please. No name-calling. I mean it.”
    They both looked at her. Cindy raised her gaze toward the ceiling. It was only the first weekend of summer vacation. It was going to be a long three months.
    â€œSit,” she said, pointing to the floral-print sofa in the family room. They both sat.
    Cindy picked up the duffel bags, walked through the formal living room and into the master bedroom. After Nelson had moved out, she’d redone her room in cream and rose. The heavy oak furniture he favored had been replaced with bleached pine and lacy curtains. She put down the bags and, working quickly, she pulled back the decorative pillows and comforter, then smoothed the sheets. Thank goodness she’d changed them that morning.
    When that was done, she approached the two duffel bags. She hated to go through Mike’s things, but Jonathan had a point. She couldn’t keep a gun in the house with her children. Mike was a bodyguard. It made sense he might carry a weapon with him. Sending out a mental apology, she unzipped the first bag.
    Five minutes later, she knew that Mike Blackburne wore only button-fly jeans, had an eclectic taste in reading material, owned one pair of dress shoes and had a passport that had been stamped by every country she’d ever heard of and several that she hadn’t. But he didn’t carry a gun.
    She exhaled the breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. A week ago, her neighbor Grace had asked her to look after her older brother while he recovered from his injuries. After all Grace had done for her, Cindy was pleased to finally have an opportunity to pay her friend back. At the time, however, she hadn’t thought looking after Mike would turn her life upside down.
    Beth stuck her head in the room. “Darren’s ready, if you are.” She pointed to the bed. “Where are you going to sleep?”
    â€œUpstairs in the guest room.”
    â€œYou are so conventional. As my only single friend, I count on you to allow me to vicariously experience the thrill of the mating game. I must tell you, I’ve been very disappointed in your performance to date.”
    Cindy pushed her friend from the room. “I’ll try to do better.”
    â€œStarting when?”
    Cindy ignored her. As they passed her children, she said, “We’ll be right back.”
    When they were outside, Beth leaned close. “Are you going to take his clothes off?”
    â€œI hadn’t really thought about it.”
    â€œCan I watch?”
    â€œI thought I might ask Darren to do that.”
    Beth pouted. “And you call yourself a friend.”
    Cindy led the way into Grace’s house. Darren was already raising Mike into a sitting position. Even unconscious he looked dangerous. His brown hair was short, with an almost military cut. His muscles were powerful, his body as much a weapon as any firearm. All he owned fit into two duffel bags. She was willing to admit he might be handsome, but he was also lethal. Not just because he knew how to kill, but because he knew how to leave. Cindy had learned early in life that men who left were the most dangerous of all.

Chapter Two
    M ike opened his eyes because he could hear breathing. It was faint but