The thought immediately has my cheeks heating once more, and I glance away, letting my gaze dart around the room. But like a moth to the light, it simply lands back on the most interesting thing in the vicinity. Samuel.

His hair is short and a bit messy, as if he’s growing out a buzz cut and hasn’t decided what to do with it yet. His short beard, more like long stubble, is darker than the hair on his head, but I can tell the blond on his head is from time spent in the sun. I bet in winter, it’s the same dark blond as his beard.

Samuel’s skin is tan, and his eyes striking blue.

“When does this new regime begin?” I ask my father.

“Right now.” His answer has my stomach plummeting like a plane with both engines cut.

“So, we’re a go?” Samuel asks.

My father sighs. “I feel we have no choice, Carolina. You are not happy about this, I can tell, but your safety comes before your short-term happiness.”

He wouldn’t be saying that if he knew how fucking awful my week had been and how on edge I am.

“How does this work?” Daddy asks.

“Once you sign the contract, it’s in effect immediately. I don’t leave Carolina’s sight until the threat is over or neutralized.”

Great. No time to mentally prepare myself for this. My security detail will begin immediately. This huge man is going to be in my space twenty-four-seven. The dark energy he carries with him will fill my home, my safe place.

Panic rises in me, and I try my best to tamp it down. This won’t be for long, I tell myself. It’s to keep me safe, and that’s the most important thing.

My gaze alights on Samuel’s face, and his focus is right back on me, not missing a thing.

“Don’t worry, Carolina,” he says, using my name for the first time. “I won’t intrude. I will keep out of your way, and you won’t know I’m there.”

Hearing my name from his lips is disconcerting. He says it with a familiarity he hasn’t earned, but also with respect.

“I’ll fetch my things, shall I then, sir?” Samuel looks to my father.

Damn it, I’m almost thirty, and I’m being ignored by the men in the room as if I have no say in the matter.

“Yes, please do. We will wait here.” My father smiles at Samuel, and he nods then heads out of the room.

The moment he’s gone, I turn to my father, but he holds his hands up.

“My darling, do this for me. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you because of my mistake. I’m begging you.”