His to Protect

By Mandy Bee

Gigi

My life has been turned upside down and the one man who makes my blood boil is the only one who can help me.

I try to resist him but my heart and body won't let me.

Greg

My Giniva is the strongest woman I know, but when unforeseen threats start to happen I know what I have to do.

She's my heart and soul, no matter what happens I'll protect her until I take my last breath. She's mine to protect.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mandy Bee
• Release date: Aug 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393814870

Book preview

Chapter One

G igi! Hearing my name called I look up from my phone. Seeing Darcy’s excited face as she walks into our favorite deli tells me all I need to know. We got the space!

I’ve been working at Designs by Darcy for over a year now, ever since I moved back home. I worked for her before, when she first started the business out of her college dorm room. Darcy creates some of the most amazing jewelry I’ve ever seen. At first she sold to the kids on campus but after a few months she had to create a website for people to order from.

My sister Porsha also works for Darcy. She helps make the jewelry. I’m the office manager. I do the books, all the paperwork, and sometimes I help with ordering. If I’m right about the look on Darcy’s face, I’ll also be doing the scheduling for the brand-new Designs by Darcy retail store. From online to instore, it’s what she’s always wanted.

When I started we had the whole second floor of a very nice downtown building here in Gains, Maine. When the lawyer that was above us moved out Darcy leased that floor too. That’s where my office is. It’s also where the photo studio is set up so the girls, mainly Missy, Darcy’s sister, can photograph the jewelry so it can be listed on the website. Darcy has an office next to mine but she’s rarely ever in it. You can almost always find her at her desk down on the second floor, either drawing new designs or putting new ones together.

Two weeks ago, we found out that the owner of the building wasn’t renewing the yoga studio’s lease. The yoga studio is on the first floor. They aren’t the friendliest people in the world. In fact, the workers there are just downright rude. It’s funny because people who do yoga usually talk about how it calms them, centers them, and gives them peace. Well someone forgot to send that memo to the studio downstairs since they all act like they got a stick up their asses.

Darcy was meeting with the building’s owner today to talk about us leasing the whole building. Her smile never left her face as she practically skipped over to the table.

I’m guessing we got the whole building now? I ask as soon as she slides into the booth.

We’ll have the keys in hand in two weeks! She squeals.

Awesome! When I get back to the office, I’ll start making a list of everything we are going to need. We won’t know about the layout until we can get into the space but I can start pricing some of the basic stuff so we will be ready to order once we know what we want. When we found out that we may be getting the space I tried to see what the layout was by looking in through the huge store front window they have. To me it looks like a big open room with an open office in the back and a door that probably is their storage room.

Gigi? Riker calls from the deli counter. Did you order?

No, I was waiting for y’all to get here. I start to get up, but Darcy stops me.

She wants a Greek salad no onions, with grilled chicken and house dressing on the side. Darcy tells Riker. He’s buying the whole office lunch today. Missy called in the others orders a few minutes ago. He’ll drop their food off while we eat.

He’s not staying? I ask.

No, he’s got to get back to his office. They are being audited. Darcy rolls her eyes. I looked over his books last week, they have nothing to worry about but neither of them will listen to me. Riker and one of his best friends, Brice, own a real estate company here in town. They sell houses, but they also watch over properties for out of town owners.

Darcy and Riker’s love story is one out of a romance book. They knew each other in high school. Riker was a bully and he mostly picked on Darcy. Then they meet up years later and fall madly in love. The only sad part is a few months ago Darcy had a miscarriage. It was a dark time for them, but also for us. We didn’t know how to help either of them. So, we did our best to take as much stress off their plate as we could. About a month ago Darcy walked into the office and said no more. She wanted things to go back to normal. We did as she asked, but I do know a few girls still try to help her more if they see she’s having a bad day.

Hey, Greg! Darcy says as she waves towards the door as Riker slides in beside her in the booth.

Just great, I really don’t think I can deal with that man today. Greg is one of Riker’s brothers, and a total pain in my ass. Ever since my sister and I moved back to town over a year ago to be with our mom, Greg has been popping up everywhere I go. I’ve called him out on it several times, but he just shrugs and says it’s a small town.

Gains is a small town but not that small. A man does not just show up at the mall, the movies, the deli, the gas station, and even my doctor’s office at the exact same time I’m there. This hasn’t just happened once; it’s happened multiple times. I’ve never once gotten the creepy vibe off of him, but either he is watching out for me or just straight up stalking me. I truly don’t care what his reason is, I just wish he’d cut it out.

I asked Riker once to talk to his brother, but he said the same thing Greg did. Just a small town. Whatever.

Hello, sweetheart, Greg greets Darcy before turning his dark as night eyes to me. Hello, Giniva. His deep husky voice could have been a turn on, but not when he uses my full name. Only my mother can call me Giniva. Ignoring him I look down at my phone and start checking my email.

Greg, don’t start. Riker warns his brother.

All I said was hello. Greg mutters.

Why are you here? I thought you had a meeting with that movie guy today. Darcy asks him. The annoyance in her voice had me biting back a smile. She knows why I hate being called Giniva, and she’s usually the first to correct anyone who dares to call me that.

We decided to meet here instead of the office. One of the shops they want to use for the movie is just down the street. This will save him some driving time since my office is all the way across town.

The lady behind the counter called out Riker’s name. We all look over to see her holding a tray in one hand and a large bag of to-go food in another. Riker goes to get the food, he places the tray in front of us, gives Darcy a long blush worthy kiss, before leaving to take the others their food.

Thinking Greg would leave us alone because Riker left was laughable. He just slides in next to Darcy and steals a fry off her plate.

You ladies will keep me company while I wait on Preston, won’t you? He asks with a smirk on his face.

Greg, Darcy sighs as she looked over at him. Gigi and I need talk about the new store. I’m not being mean, but you know you’re only sitting here because you know she doesn’t want you here. So, don’t take this the wrong way, but go away. Even though she just told him to go away, that didn’t mean he would, and he didn’t.

Why don’t you want me here Giniva? There has to be a reason. His says teasingly, as his eyes laugh at me.

He knows the reason, him and him alone knows the real reason I can’t stand to be around him. Taking a deep breath I force myself not to think about what happened between us. It was one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done, and it wasn’t something I wanted to think about right now. Before I could say anything, a man walks over to our table. His presence saves me from causing a scene.

Didn’t know you were bringing dates to this meeting. The man laughs. Greg stands and shakes his hand, but you can tell he’s annoyed by the joke. The man is handsome, in that boy next door, all American sweetheart type of way. He has shaggy blonde hair, silver blue eyes, and a deep tan that told me he works or plays out in the sun a lot. He wasn’t overly muscular, but you could easily see he was fit.

No dates here Preston. Greg grumbles. I roll my eyes when I see Greg looking from me to Preston. He must have seen me checking Preston out. Oh well, I’m a free woman I can do what I want.

Too bad. Preston winks at me.

Ok, time to go. Greg snarls.

You’re not even gonna introduce me? Preston laughs.

I’m sorry about my brother-in-law. Darcy says as she reached out to shake Preston’s hand. I’m Darcy and this is Gigi. She points to me.

Nice to meet you. I’m Preston Grant. He releases her hand and reaches out to shake mine, only instead of shaking my hand he brings my hand to his lips, laying a soft kiss on my knuckles. He was laying it on thick.

The growl that came from Greg had me biting my lip. Knowing that all of this was bugging him I decide to play along. Even though Preston was handsome, and very flirty, I couldn’t see myself dating someone like him. He was a Hollywood style guy; those guys just aren’t my type. I prefer guys who are rough around the edges. Perfection, fake or not, is overrated. But that wasn’t gonna stop me from flirting with him, even if it was just to piss Greg off.

It’s nice to meet you too Preston. I’m guessing you’re the movie guy Greg was telling us about. I send Greg a teasing smirk before smiling up at Preston. I think it’s exciting that you picked Gains of all places to shoot a movie. I’d love to hear all about it, that is if you have the time. I give him by best bashful smile and even bat my eyelashes a few times. When I see his eyes widen, I knew I had him.

For you, I’ll make the time. I’m supposed to go look at the old drive-in movie theater tomorrow night, why don’t you come with me?

She can’t… Greg starts to say.

I’d love too. I say before shooting Greg a nasty glare.

Preston reaches in his back pocket and pulls out a card, handing it to me he says. My cell number is on the bottom. Text me later tonight so we can nail down the details. He winks at me before turning to Greg. Why don’t you walk with me to the shop I need to look at. We can discuss the details of the type of security our company will be needing as we walk. Preston winks at me once more before heading to the door, he didn’t even wait for Greg to answer him.

Don’t even think about texting him Giniva. Greg hisses at me before he turns to follow Preston out of the Deli.

Well, that was fun. Darcy laughs. Are you really going to go out with him?

No, probably not. I told her as I start to eat my salad. Plus, mom told me this morning that the city still hasn’t approved all the permits the studio needs so they can film here.

Wonder why? You’d think the city would be jumping to have a movie filmed here. Just think of the business it would bring to our town. Darcy says as she takes a bite of her sandwich.

That’s what I said but apparently the city doesn’t see it that way. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. I shrug.

After lunch, the rest of the day seemed to fly by with all the excitement over the good news. This new store is going to be amazing. Darcy and the girls have worked so hard for this. I’m so proud and honored to be a part of it.

Once I get home, I quickly change into a sleep shirt, brush out my hair and put it into a messy bun. I wash off all my makeup before grabbing my e-reader and heading to bed. Just as I was getting ready to dive into my new book my phone dings.

When I see a text from Greg, I’m not even surprised. I hate that he even has my phone number. I never did find out who gave it to him but if I ever do, oh there will be hell to pay.

Giant Pain - We need to talk.

I don’t bother answering him. We don’t need to talk but knowing him like I do I’m sure he’ll stop by the office tomorrow to make sure I didn’t call Preston and set up a date.

Greg needs to stay out of my life, but I don’t see that happening. At some point we are going to have to sit down and lay down some rules, or I’m probably going to end up murdering him.

Tossing my phone onto my nightstand I push all thoughts of Greg aside. It’s time to get lost in a fairy tale romance that will leave me dreaming of my own happily ever after.

Chapter Two

Something is going on and I wish to God someone would tell me what it is. As soon as I got to work this morning Darcy told me that Easton, one of Greg’s bodyguards, would be stationed outside my office until further notice. Greg owns Deeks Security, a security firm that provides personal bodyguards services, and also guards for nightclubs and bars. When I asked Darcy what was going on, she said that Greg had placed a guard on each floor and that was all she knew. I could tell she was lying but before I could call her on it, she rushed out of my office claiming she was late for a doctor’s appointment.

I called down to the second floor to see if any of them knew anything about why the guards were needed but they didn’t know either. Missy, Darcy’s sister, confirmed that Darcy didn’t have a doctor’s appointment and even called the doctor’s office to double check. She made up a lie, telling the girl on the phone that Darcy had asked Missy to call and see when her next appointment was. It’s not for another two months.

Not knowing what was going on was driving me crazy. Easton swears that all he knows is that Greg ordered for a guard to be stationed on both the second and third floor, along with a guard at the front and back door of the building. I tried to question him more, but he walked away from me. He took an extra chair out of Darcy’s office, placed it by the door to the hallway, and has been sitting there ever since.

Right now, I’m waiting for Darcy to get back. Today is inventory day. The girls finished the list of what was needed over an hour ago. Missy and I have handled the inventory order before but we both agreed that if Darcy called and