Guarding What’s Mine (Men of Maddox Security #3)

Chapter 3

Boone

I start the engine of my truck, the rumble of the motor filling the silence as I pull away from the parking lot of Aubree's pizza shop. Her shop. Her livelihood. The place she poured her heart into for years. I get it. I’ve seen too many people lose their businesses to crime and the stress of it all. But I’m not here to be a therapist. I’m here to keep her alive, to make sure nothing worse happens.

“You good there?” I ask, glancing the perimeter of the parking lot to make sure we’re not being followed.

She pulls her hoodie tighter around her, her fingers playing with the hem of it nervously. “Yeah,” she mutters, but I can tell she’s not.

I nod, focusing on the road ahead, trying to clear my mind of the things I’ll need to do once we’re out of town. Checking in with Dean, getting the security setup in place, ensuring that we’re ready for anything.

Once we get on the highway, I pull out my phone and dial Dean’s number. The call rings for a second before he picks up, his voice gravelly with that ever-present authority.

“Porter.”

“Hey, it’s me,” I say, keeping my voice low. “I’ve got her with me. We’re heading to the cabin now.”

“Good. Keep her safe. You know the drill.” Dean’s voice shifts, becoming more businesslike. “Check the perimeter of the cabin as soon as you arrive. Cameras, security system, the works. Don’t take any chances.”

“I won’t. Anything else?” I check the mirrors again, my hands tight on the steering wheel.

“We’re running background checks on everyone who works for her. Everyone and anyone. I’ll send over everything I find. Keep your eyes open. You’re there to protect her, and that’s it. Keep things professional.”

Aubree’s quiet beside me, her profile lit up by the glow of the dashboard. I wonder if she knows how much danger she’s actually in. Probably not. Hell, I wish I could tell her it’s all going to be okay, but I can’t lie to her. I just have to make sure she stays alive, and that’s all I can promise.

“Got it,” I say to Dean, but he’s already hung up. I drop my phone into the cupholder, my mind racing with possibilities, all of them bad.

Aubree looks at me, catching my gaze for a moment before looking away. She’s still upset. I can tell by the way her jaw’s clenched, by the way her shoulders are tense. I can’t blame her. This isn’t how anyone wants to spend their evening.

“So... this cabin,” she says, her voice soft, breaking through the silence between us. “What’s it like? Is it... comfortable?”

I glance over at her, trying to figure out how to put her at ease. “Yeah, it’s fine. Nothing fancy, but it’ll do. I’ve got everything set up for a couple of days. It’s a place to relax. At least, until we figure out who’s doing this to you.”

She nods slowly, but I can see the hesitation in her eyes. “And... you’re just taking me to your cabin? Like, no questions asked?”

Her voice is cautious now, like she’s testing the waters to see what I’ll say.

“Look, I’m not here to make things complicated,” I reply, my eyes back on the road. “I’m just doing my job. Protecting you. Nothing more. I don’t expect you to trust me right away, but you’ll be safe there. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Okay,” she says quietly, and I feel the weight of her gaze on me again. It’s almost like she’s trying to figure me out, and I can’t say I blame her.

The drive is long, and the silence between us stretches. The headlights cut through the night, illuminating the winding road ahead, the trees casting long shadows in the dark.

Aubree doesn’t speak again until we’re pulling into the gravel driveway of the cabin. It’s a little run-down but functional, tucked away from prying eyes, just like I need it to be. The isolation is key.

I park the truck, kill the engine. “Here we are,” I say, opening my door and stepping out, walking around to the passenger side to open the door for her. She hesitates for a moment, then gets out, her feet crunching on the gravel beneath her.

“I don’t need you to open the door for me,” she says, glancing up at the cabin. I’m not sure if she’s being sarcastic or not, but I don’t really care.

I give her a half-smile. “I didn’t do it because I’m a gentleman, sweetheart. I did it to keep you safe.”

She glances around quickly, her cheeks blushing pink. “Oh, right.”

I lead her up the porch steps, unlocking the front door and holding it open for her. Once we’re inside, I move immediately to check the security system, making sure everything’s armed and set up the way I want it.

Aubree watches me quietly from the doorway. “Do you mind if I take a minute?” she asks, her voice softer than it’s been all day.

I glance at her, meeting her gaze for just a second before nodding. “Yeah, take your time. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

She steps further into the cabin, and I hear her sigh as she walks around. I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I’m pretty sure she’s feeling the weight of everything that’s happened. I can’t blame her. I’m feeling it too.