I punched the pass code into the lock on Daddy’s library door and waited, my arms folded across my chest and a scowl firmly on my face. The doors barely swung open, and I barged past them, a string of choice words on my lips.

They didn’t come out.

Daddy was at the corner of his desk, speaking softly to a mountain with short, black hair and the nicest ass I’d ever seen. I heard “…Morality Clause” in a deep voice that vibrated through me from across the room.

Daddy startled and caught himself, then tapped the mountain’s arm. “Well, speak of the devil.” His smile widened as he hurried around the desk toward me, then dropped as he noticed my expression.

Then the mountain turned toward me, and my resolve melted. He had bright green eyes, like something out of a cartoon, and his chest jutted out so far that when he turned to greet me, I wondered how many seconds it would reach me before the rest of him. My only thought was nice tits, and I felt my cheeks redden.

“Ness, I’d like you to meet Mr., uh,” Daddy stalled, trying to read the paper in his hand.

“Martin, ma’am.” The mountain’s low voice almost cracked. He looked nervous as he extended a tree trunk of an arm for me to shake. Interesting.

Sensing the control I still had in the room, I didn’t take the offered hand. Instead, I cocked my head at Daddy. “Another babysitter? Isn’t Ms. Rizzo muscle enough?” My arms found their place back across my chest, slightly below my breasts this time. I gave them a cursory flex and watched Martin the Mountain blink away. So easy. Meat-head.

Daddy was still talking, but I interrupted. “This is exactly why I came up here. I don’t need these goons following me around. I’m a grown woman. I’ve graduated, and after the ceremony, I can get the hell out of this cesspool city. You won’t have to worry.”

He opened his mouth but closed it before speaking again. Martin interjected instead. “I believe, Ms. Genovese, that your father’s concern is warranted. The Amara family has ties well beyond D.C., which puts you in grave danger.” He puffed his chest and stood to his full mountainous height. “Without proper security measures, that is.”

“And you think that’s you, of course? Never mind the past four companies who were hired and quickly fired for incompetence?” I moved closer, getting right in his face. Well, as close to it as I could. I felt the heat radiate from his body, smelled clean crisp aftershave. No fancy cologne for this guy, just the good ole smell of soap. It was a heady scent, to my surprise. I stood down off my heels.

I saw him glance at my father, apparently unaware that he was fifth in line for the job. Still, he clenched that wide-set jaw of his and smiled. “I cannot attest for the previous firms, but VanGuard employs only the highest trained professionals. The majority of us are former SEALs. We’ve seen combat, war, and recon missions in the harshest environments. So, no offense, but one girl isn’t much of a job.” The smug macho grin bristled the hairs on the back of my neck. Girl!

“We’ll see about that.” I glared at him. The smirk flickered for a moment, betraying a genuine smile and a flash of something in those emerald eyes. It quickly receded, and the arrogant posture returned. “Daddy, if you insist on forcing this Jolly Green Giant on me, then am I safe to assume that I’m allowed out of the dungeon now?”

Daddy hemmed and hawed for a moment, but he knew I had him. I just stood firm, waiting. Finally, he agreed that I could go off the grounds, provided I didn’t try to lose my security team this time.

“Wouldn’t it be better to find out now that I can lose them? Get it out of the way?” I asked.

Martin snorted. “You can’t.” I cut a sharp look at him, fuming. He didn’t flinch. “Well, you can’t.”

My glare turned to Daddy. “Shall I tell Ms. Rizzo that her services are no longer required?”

“Yes, tell her that she’s free to stay as long as she likes, though. I’m sure she’s in no hurry to get back home.” Daddy and I both frowned. Ms. Rizzo’s son had moved back in, a wife and two kids in tow, so the poor woman hadn’t had a moment’s rest in nearly a year.

“And I’d like you to have Mr. Sanders personally cut her a magnificent bouquet before she leaves.”

With a sigh, Daddy asked, “What did you and Dirk fight about now?”

“Nothing.” I kissed Daddy on the cheek and turned to leave. Then I turned back quickly, catching Martin’s gaze linger on my ass. Satisfied, I pointed to him. “You, Martin, should get ready. I have many errands to run after being cooped up in this place for a week.”

“I’m always ready, Ms. Genovese.” He held eye contact with me, neither of us daring to break first.

It was Daddy who forced a tie. “Very well, then. If you’re going by the restaurant, I’ll have Ophelia gather your things.”

“No, you will not!” I walked back to the door. “She’s not to touch any of my things. I will take care of it.” I saw the hurt on Daddy’s face. I softened my tone. “She doesn’t know where everything is, Daddy. I’ll do it myself.”

Daddy turned to Martin and handed him a set of keys. “One master key for every room that isn’t pass-coded, and this one here for the Jag.” He grinned up at the Mountain. “In case she tries to give you the shake.”

“Thank you, Mr. Genovese, but I don’t think that will be necessary. Your little princess and I will come to an understanding, I’m sure.” Martin flashed a smile at me that bore an uncanny resemblance to the Cheshire Cat. My breath caught in my chest. I’m in trouble.