“I don’t have a problem. As Gavin is your head of security, he has a final say in such things…unless you prefer something else.” I give Gavin a cheeky grin.

She shakes her head nervously. “No, Mr. King…is fine.”

“Okay. There’s one more thing I want to show you before we leave.” I walk to the bathroom and open the door. “You share a bathroom with Gavin. This was something Andy insisted upon,” I add, because sharing a bathroom is personal, and I don’t know how Minnie will feel about it.

She nods and then wrings her hands. “I…I’m getting threatening calls and texts.” Her voice quivers and echoes in the bathroom. “Mostly at night.”

“You have nothing to worry about anymore, Mouse,” Gavin bellows and I shiver.

If I was the one sending those calls or texts, I’d stop immediately at the knowledge she has him in her corner.

“I’m so sorry, Minnie. When Andy and Maya visited us, they told me about it. But I know Gavin will keep you safe.”

She nods. “I feel that too.”

We walk to the main room. Unlike me, ready to leave and give our guest privacy to unpack and settle down, Gavin flops onto a wingback chair close to the bed.

“I’ll send some snacks for you,” I tell Minnie, who seems equally surprised by Gavin. “Should I send a plate for you too? Here?” I ask, more to remind him that this isn’t his room.

But he nods before his face hardens. “I have to talk to Minnie more about these calls and texts.” I’m about to turn away when he adds, “She’s a vegetarian.”

“Um, what?” I look over my shoulder while holding the door.

He jerks his head toward our guest. “Minnie doesn’t eat meat.”

“Um, oh yeah, I forgot to mention that.” Minnie smiles while fixing her glasses again. “I’m only a vegetarian, though—not vegan. I love regular lattes and cheese. I just don’t eat meat.”

“No problem. We always have vegetarian dishes on the menu.” I shut the door, waiting outside for a second.

Is this room going to be witness to a budding love story? The Mouse and the King.

My lips curl into a smile. I think it would be cute and lyrical, filled with some grumpy but funny moments.

38. Lukas

38

LUKAS

“How is she?” I ask into the phone.

“What makes everyone think I’m a cupid or a pigeon?” Gavin grunts from the other end.

I’ve no idea who else is making that mistake because Gavin is anti-cupid, with a capital A.

“She looks fine to me,” he drawls. “I mean, sometimes she has this funny look on her face where her cute nose crinkles, and she looks adorable. She also smells really nice. And the way she dresses—”