“This isn’t a garage?” she said.

“Quite the contrary. The carriage house was renovated along with the house before Sergei bought it. Evette and Emerson lived here briefly before Evette accepted Sergei’s marriage proposal.” He nodded to the guard stationed closest to them, opened the main door and motioned her inside. “As I said, you staying here will be no inconvenience for them at all, and they are happy to know you are protected.”

Inside, he guided her through the simple layout. The living and kitchen area downstairs with its open design, soaring ceilings and contemporary farmhouse décor, and the two luxurious bedrooms on the second story separated by a catwalk with wrought iron railings.

He waited by the door of the master suite and watched her slowly taking in the surroundings. While the red and turquoise pillows and gold silk comforter weren’t as bold as the colors that filled her own home, her gaze still lingered on them in open appreciation. “It was much less colorful before Evette lived here. More of a monochromatic scheme with little personality.”

“It’s lovely.” She peeked inside the spacious bath and shook her head. “Way more than anything I’m used to.”

She’d adjust. Not just to being here, but to not doing without ever again.

The door downstairs opened and the hushed voices of his men carrying in her things drifted from over the catwalk. A few moments later they filed in and carefully laid her bags at the foot of the bed.

Kir snatched the key to Cassie’s house from his pant pocket and handed it to Sam, one of the first and sharpest men he’d brought on his team since relocating to New Orleans. “You have her address, yes?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. I want a full sweep. Look for any signs of tampering with doors or windows.”

“Of course.” Sam jerked a quick nod and started to leave, the other two men tight on his heels.

Kir stopped them a few steps mid-departure. “One moment.” He wrapped an arm around Cassie’s waist and introduced them. “Cassie, these are the men who’ll be watching over you when you’re away from the estate. Sam, Patrick and Abel. Sam will lead the team and is who you’ll coordinate with when you need to go somewhere.”

Patrick and Abel kept their silence, but offered polite acknowledgment with a dip of their heads. Sam stepped forward and offered his hand. “It’s nice to have you with us, Miss McClintock. Don’t worry. We’ll take good care of you.”

Cassie aimed a wide-eyed look at Kir, then shook Sam’s hand and offered a tremulous smile. “I didn’t realize I was going to have guards.” She smiled at the other two men, then stepped back and clasped her hands in front of her. “Is it awful if I say I hope this turns out to be the most boring job ever?”

The quip drew a chuckle out of each of his men, but Kir had to fight the urge to preen like a proud peacock. By her own admission, her life had been thrown on its head in the most dramatic fashion, and yet she still handled each surprise with class and a personable touch. “I suspect keeping up with you will be anything but boring.” He hugged her tighter to his side and motioned the men to the doorway behind them with a lift of his chin. “I’ll check in with you in an hour. If you find something sooner, let me know.”