Under His Protection Read Free Page A

be thinking about that. Not when Julieta was clearly facing a threat. Grabbing his radio, he called the other two guys on Mina’s security detail and told them to take over. The high rise condo was locked down tight and the building itself had great security protocols, but with the bridal shower today they’d taken extra precautions. Ever since Mina’s father had died and her wealth had increased substantially through her inheritance, Mina’s soon-to-be-husband had insisted on an increase in security whenever he went out of town. Which hadn’t been often the past couple months.
    Mina didn’t like it, but she loved Alex and she was smart enough to know there were real dangers out there so she lived with it. Especially after what had happened a few months ago. Plus she spent most of her time painting or sculpting in her studio so she was barely aware of her guards for at least eight hours out of the day anyway.
    Once the other two guards answered in the affirmative that everything was under control he headed out of the bathroom. At the end of the hallway he waited, watching as Julieta stood talking to Mina, her expression apologetic.
    She looked so petite and almost fragile compared to the tall Mina. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from Julieta if he tried. He wasn’t sure what the style of dress she had on was called, but it was insanely hot. She was petite and curvy and the way the dress flared showed off her toned calves and sexy high heels. He couldn’t count how many times he’d fantasized about her draping her legs over his shoulders with her wearing nothing but those heels. Hell, he could actually imagine her digging those things into his back as he tasted her… And, he shut that thought down as his pants started to get uncomfortable.
    When Julieta made her way to Lizzy near the chocolate fountain Ivan maneuvered his way through the women and politely interrupted Mina as she spoke to one of her friends from back home.
    Mimosa in hand, she raised her eyebrows. As usual, paint stained her fingernails. Red today. “Everything okay?” she asked.
    He didn’t have time for small talk. “What did Julieta say to you?”
    Mina blinked in surprise. “Oh, ah, just that a work issue came up and she has to leave.”
    He frowned at that. Over the past couple months he’d noticed that Julieta seemed to downplay things and didn’t like to talk about herself much. Which was frustrating because he wanted to know everything about her. “I heard her on the phone with one of her employees. Whatever happened at work it’s bad enough that the police were called.”
    Mina gasped but he continued. “If you don’t mind, she seemed shaken up so I want to head over there with her.” Even if the gorgeous woman didn’t want him to go with her, it was happening. “Your place is locked down and—”
    “Go. The security here is great and you and Alex worry way more than me anyway. I’ll be fine. Just make sure Jules is okay. And make sure you update me, okay?”
    He nodded and started to leave when Mina lightly touched his forearm. He didn’t like to be touched much, but he made an exception for some people. She was one of them. Pausing, he looked back at her.
    “Jules is so sweet and she’s my friend. And I don’t have many so…” Trailing off, she bit her bottom lip. “I’ve seen the way you look at her,” she finally finished.
    It took him a moment to realize what she was trying to say. “I would never hurt her.” He’d been watching Julieta enough the past couple months to realize that she had the ability to break his heart. Something he’d never imagined possible. He never made it past one date with women. Julieta was different though. He knew that one date, one time with her, would never be enough. On a level he didn’t understand, that scared the hell out of him.
    She was worth the risk though.
    Looking wary, Mina just nodded, as if she wasn’t sure she believed him. He didn’t bother responding as he