Bodyguard: A Bad Boy Stepbrother Romance (Snake Eyes Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

believe this…” he says through his teeth, studying the bandage closely. “They couldn’t have just killed the old bastard and left?”
    “Dad…” I whisper, glancing into the living room for Cora. She’s been crying since yesterday, completely wrecked by the loss of her friend. “It’s fine. The doctor said it’s a clean cut, easy to fix. I got lucky.”
    “Well, we’re going to find out who did this and sue the hell out of them. We’re lucky you already finished re-shoots on Night Trials 3 . Does it hurt?”
    “A little.”
    “They give you pain meds?”
    “No.”
    He furrows his brow. “What the hell kind of doctors are these people?”
    “They didn’t give me meds because I didn’t need them. Like I said, it hurts a little . Mostly just itches.” I step out of the foyer to join Cora in the living room. She’s curled up on the couch with a self-help book and a glass of wine; not an unfamiliar pose for her over the last few years. “Hey, Cora.”
    “Hey, sweetie,” she says, her eyes glazed and blissful. “How are you?”
    “I’m fine.” I pause near the windows and poke a single finger through the blinds.
    “Make sure you check out my bookshelf,” she says, pointing at me. “I have some great books for dealing with stress.”
    “I will.” The paparazzi disperse as a small, black car parks in front of the gate and Smith steps closer to investigate.
    My father wanders in from his study with a script in his hands. “While you’re here, I want you to read this again. Make any notes you want and we’ll take it back to Bruckberg.”
    “No.” I watch the driveway and the black car slowly rolls towards the house.
    “No?” he parrots back. “What do you mean no ?”
    “Dad, I really don’t feel like working right now.”
    “Life doesn’t stop just because something bad happens to you, honey.”
    I scoff. That’s the great Bennett Roberts for you. All work and no play. “I know. I just need a few days off.”
    “Bruckberg doesn’t have a few days.”
    “Then they’ll find someone else.”
    “Bennett…” Cora’s sweet, sing-song voice echoes from the couch. “She’s not asking for much. Just a little time to heal.”
    “Thank you,” I tell her.
    “No — not thank you . This is the opportunity of a lifetime, Roxie. A lifetime .”
    “I don’t know what to tell you, Dad…” I drop the curtain and step away from the window.
    “You can start by telling me what the hell is wrong with you!” he barks. “Where are you going?”
    “To answer the door.” I walk out of the living room and into the foyer as their voices continue behind me.
    “Bennett, please. You’re shouting.”
    “Of course, I am! My daughter is throwing her career away!”
    “Bennett…”
    I pull the door open just as Smith reaches for the handle from the outside. “Hey, Smith.”
    He sighs and steps inside. “What did I tell you about answering doors?”
    “Honestly, can’t remember,” I joke.
    “Don’t,” he says. “ Don’t answer doors is what I told you.”
    “I looked out the window and saw you walking up the drive.”
    “And what did I tell you about lingering in front of windows?”
    “Don’t?” I smile.
    “You know, kid, I’ve guarded dictators that were easier to deal with than you.”
    “Not nearly as pretty, though, right?”
    He sneers in my direction and walks into the living room. “Ma’am,” he says, addressing Cora. “You have a visitor out front. He refuses to leave.”
    My father turns up his hands. “So make him leave . What else do I pay you for?”
    “Who is it?” Cora asks.
    Smith places his hands on his hips. “He says he’s your son.”
    Cora pauses and slowly sets her wine glass on the coffee table in front of her. “My son?” she repeats.
    “Said his name is Fox.”
    I turn to the door. My fingertips graze my lips, feeling the long-forgotten phantom tug of him drawing my bottom lip between his teeth. “Fox?” I breathe his name, excitement