To Love and Protect (Must Love Diamonds 4)

“Are these all threats against Mark specifically?” he asked.

“A few reference his family,” Gus said, “so I was going to focus on them first. Top fifteen or so are actual physical threats that have been investigated and dealt with by the Capitol police in D.C. After that, they’re a little less severe. Angry bordering on threatening. I figured it couldn’t hurt to have a second look at all of them.”

“Any chance I can get copies and read through them, too?”

“Be my guest. Copier is around the corner.”

When Dev had a folder of his own filled with copies still warm from the machine, he returned the blue file to Gus.

“Let me know if anything stands out to you,” the PI said.

“Definitely. And I’d appreciate any updates as they come available on your end.”

“You got it. Anything that keeps Shelby safe.”

Back in his truck, he set the folder on the passenger seat, then thought better of it and tucked it behind his seat before heading to his one-o’clock appointment with his therapist. When he admitted he’d taken the bodyguard job over the weekend, Bryan looked up from the tablet perched on his thigh.

“What prompted that change?”

“The guy guarding her was doing a shit job.”

“And you figured you could do better?” Bryan asked.

“Shelby deserves better.”

“That doesn’t answer my question. Three weeks ago you didn’t trust your physical capabilities enough to take the job. What’s changed, other than the fact you don’t have your cane with you?”

“I don’t need the cane anymore,” he said, as much for himself as for Bryan. “If I didn’t step up to protect her and something happened, I’d never forgive myself.”

Shrewd blue eyes narrowed. “You care for her?”

“Of course. Our families are close.” Dev shrugged, but couldn’t quite bring himself to look the guy in the eye. The last time they’d talked about this, it had been about the job, and his self-doubts, not about Shelby and what feelings he might have for her. “Even though she’s five years younger than me, we still grew up together.”

Bryan adjusted the tablet on his leg, typed a few notes, then sat back and lifted his gaze. “What if something happens and you’re not able to protect her?”

“I will.”

“It’s not guaranteed.”

He’d make sure it was. His therapist shifted his gaze down, and Dev realized he was absently rubbing his injured thigh. He stopped the movement and consciously fought to keep from fisting his fingers.

“Where is she now?” Bryan asked.

“At work.”

“And you’re here.”

He sat forward with a frown, bracing his elbows on his knees. “I didn’t leave her there alone. My brother is with her until I get back.”

“You trust your brother? Reyes, right?”

“Yeah—and obviously I trust him, or I wouldn’t have left her.” Dev shifted to the edge of his seat, fighting the urge to get up and leave. “What the fuck, man? Why are you trying to make me doubt myself?”

“I can’t make you do anything, so if you have doubt...”

He shook his head, his humorless laugh loaded with irritation. “I thought you’d be happy I made forward progress with this. Hell, you agreed with my brother that I should’ve taken the job right from the start.”

“Yes. But you need to acknowledge that there is a possibility something may happen that you can’t control.”