Oh, that man was on the edge. Remy kept his voice as calm and even as possible. He didn’t need to inject more emotion into the situation, but he did want to point out some logic. “Not at all. I’m not trying to be arrogant. You came here to ask me to do a job. Well, I’m giving you sound advice from someone who knows how to protect other people. There’s a time you have to step up and be the head of your family, and that means making the hard choices.”

Sometimes those hard choices put family members on opposite sides, but they had to be made. Remy was sure the hardest one Will Daley had ever made was to choose which expensive college he would go to. Oh, in the back of his head, he remembered some conversation he’d once had with Laurel about a trailer they’d lived in when they were kids, but it was clear that family’s fortunes had turned and probably quickly since they all had impeccable manners and dressed like they only shopped at designer stores.

Bridget Daley’s eyes narrowed. “Really? You think my husband has never had to make hard choices? You know what, Guidry? Fuck you. I love my sister-in-law so much I was willing to offer your ass a hundred grand to protect her while giving her the freedom she needs. Somehow I think I can find someone better than you.” She turned to Taggart. “I want someone else. Someone who’s not an asshole.”

He’d forgotten that sweet-looking woman had some serious claws on her.

She also had serious cash. The Daleys all did.

A hundred thousand. One hundred fucking thousand dollars.

And that money was about to walk out the door.

Not to mention the fact that he didn’t like the idea of some other man watching over Lisa Daley.

Taggart grimaced. “Assholes are all I have. It’s kind of how they end up falling into the job.”

“Then get me another asshole,” Bridget insisted. “A smarter asshole.”

“Look, Mrs. Daley, I’m sorry I offended.” He had to fix this and fast. He’d been rude. He was almost never rude, but the idea of Daley letting his sister run around on her own because he was afraid she’d be mad at him got his back up. Someone needed to take that woman in hand.

She was already standing, but Laurel stood up beside her.

“Bridget, we talked about this. I want Remy to protect Lisa. He’s good. I should know,” Laurel said. “He watched over me. He’s excellent at his job. I wouldn’t have known he was watching me at all if Mitch hadn’t been an overly possessive asshole.”