The Bodyguard (Red's Tavern 7)

And now, as I waited patiently along with the valet drivers out in front of McKennaugh’s mansion, my own anxiety was building. Theo was safe inside, to be sure. But that didn’t mean I felt good about him spending time around a man who’d been so shitty toward him in the past.

After Brad Pitt left, a few other celebrities I probably should have recognized began to file out. I kept waiting for Theo to come out, but each time I looked over, it was someone else leaving.

Half an hour passed before I heard his voice floating through the air faintly.

“It’s really okay, I promise you.”

“Theo,” another voice said. I turned, squinting past the gates, but I could barely see anything. The front of Garett McKennaugh’s house was covered in trees and plants, and the pathway from the gates to the front door meandered. But I could make out some things that were being said.

“I don’t care,” Theo was saying. “I get it. I think Henry will be better for the role.”

“You really mean that?” the other voice said. It had to be Garett. He sounded more than a little drunk. “I mean, you’re hot, Theo. You’ve always had that going for you. Honestly, I’ve thought you were the most beautiful young actor for years, now. Well, I guess you’re really not that young, anymore. People want the younger generation, now. That’s part of the reason Henry’s perfect. He’s eighteen, you know.”

My stomach turned. I didn’t know exactly what they were talking about, but it seemed like Garett was being a prick.

“Sure thing,” Theo said. He sounded defeated.

I turned to one of the valet guys. “Are you sure we can’t open these gates? I mean, we’re being paid to work here, for Christ’s sake.”

One of them shook his head. “We can open them, technically, but we’re not permitted to walk up to the property.”

I swore under my breath.

Theo needed me. Right now. And I couldn’t get over to him.

“Anyway,” Garett was saying, “I’m writing another movie right now, too. I think you might be able to play the cousin. He’s a sad kind of character who dies in the first half-hour, but he’s supposed to have a pretty face. And you’ve still got those pretty little lips.”

I felt like I might puke.

Sure, Garett was right. Theo did have pretty lips. Fucking gorgeous ones, actually. But I didn’t like the way he was saying it.

I could see their shadows in the low light, just past a cluster of palm trees beyond the gates.

“Jason’s staying over with me tonight, but do you want to come by tomorrow night?” Garett asked. “I can think of a few things I want to do with those lips.”

“I don’t know,” Theo responded. “I need to get out of here, Garett. Thanks for inviting me. Happy Birthday.”

Garett’s chuckle filled the air. “Good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

By the time Theo made his way to the gates and pushed through them, I’d been about ready to pounce through.

He looked beautiful. And he looked so, so fucking sad. My heart felt like it was being crushed.

“There you are,” I said, immediately putting my arm around his back. I walked him quickly down the path to the driveway. I had to get him far away from this place.

“Oh, who’s that?” I heard Garett saying from behind us.

“Ignore him,” I said, my voice low and close to Theo’s ear.

The valet guys were on top of everything, and in less than a minute, Theo’s Lamborghini was there waiting.

“Are you okay to drive?” I asked.

“I didn’t even have any alcohol,” Theo said. “I’m good.”

We settled into the car and I belted up, ready for another crazy-fast ride. But I was shocked when Theo drove the Lamborghini slow and steady. As if it were a regular minivan, carefully making its way down the sloping hill.

Jesus.

Theo must really have been feeling badly if he wasn’t even driving like a crazy person.

The windows were rolled down and the night air blew in gently. As we got to the base of the hills and approached the main road, suddenly I saw a camera flash from the street corner.

And then another. And then about ten fucking million more.

“Theo! Theo Castille!”

There were at least a dozen paparazzi there, clearly waiting as celebrity after celebrity made their way down after the party.

Theo snapped into public-mode, smiling for the cameras even as he quickly reached to roll the car windows up. As soon as we were able to turn onto the main street and get away from them, the smile dropped from his face.

“Theo, I’m going to be real with you,” I told him. “I could overhear most of what Garett was saying to you in the front yard.”

“Shit, I forgot to introduce you to him,” Theo said. “I’m sorry.”

“What?”

“You seemed like you were such a big fan of his work,” Theo said. “I meant to introduce you to him before we left. I’m sorry.”