“Da spirits are getting restless, Brandon. Lance and Chuck need to ask Danielle a question. To da kitchen. Now.”
“I’ve never been much of a believer in this kind of thing,” Lance told the dear lady. “But you’re sh
owing me I might need to reconsider.”
“That’s da spirit.”
Carlotta and Brandon went into the kitchen, allowing Lance and Chuck some privacy with the woman he couldn’t get enough of.
“Thank you for the flowers, guys. You went a little overboard.”
“First things first.” Lance wanted to hear the entire story of why she needed bodyguards. “Tell us about the cartel thing.”
“It’s not as big a deal as everyone is making it.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Chuck stated flatly. “We want to hear everything.”
What she told them filled Lance with rage, but he quickly shoved it down. Drug lords weren’t to be taken lightly, especially when they thought you had their money. She needed his protection, his and Chuck’s, and that was exactly what he was going to give her.
“I want to talk to your sheriff.” Lance needed all the details on the cartel. “We have some powerful friends that might be able to help.”
“Now, you guys are blowing this up too much. No. I don’t want you talking with the sheriff. Please.”
“For now, it can wait.” He knew Chuck would never wave a white flag of surrender. “But only for now.”
“We are taking over being your bodyguards, though.” Lance locked his eyes on her. “That’s final. No arguments.”
“My friend Shelby will appreciate getting her husbands back at home.” Danielle smiled. “Okay. It’s a deal. For now.”
“We’re sorry for the trouble we caused yesterday.” He grabbed her hand, knowing they’d come on with their old lines. Danielle was more than a conquest to him now. She needed him. He hadn’t felt this way about any woman before. Could she be the one for him? For him and Chuck?
Chuck took her other hand. “We got off on the wrong foot. I hope you will forgive us.”
“It’s fine. You were great. I shouldn’t have spilled the tea on you.”
“It’s settled. We will be your bodyguards going forward.” He gazed into her gorgeous eyes. “But will you go out with us?”
* * * *
Danielle knew she shouldn’t get involved with anyone because she’d always had to look over her shoulder. What harm would a single date be? They were both so handsome, fun, and very nice. “I guess we could go to dinner, if that’s all right with you.”
“You just made my day.” Chuck’s sexy, steamy charisma was intoxicating. “Are you working today?”
“Yes. This afternoon is when I start. I won’t be getting off until after midnight. I just rushed over here to try to clear things up with Carlotta. Apparently, the spirits beat me to it.”
They laughed. She liked the sound of their laughter. It was deep and contagious.
Carlotta walked back into the dining room. “Danielle, I just received a message from the spirits.”
That sent her and the two guys into a fit of hysterics.
Her boss smiled. Danielle cared deeply for the woman. “Calm down, children, and listen. Dis is very important.”
“Sorry, ma’am.” Lance wiped his eyes.
Danielle couldn’t get over how easy it was to laugh with him and Chuck. They put her at ease the second she was near them.
“Nothing to be sorry about, young man.” Carlotta turned to her. “As I was saying, da spirits came to me and told me to give you da night off. Dey told me it is very important I do dis. And you know vhat else dey told me? I must pay you anyvay.”