Claimed By my Bodyguard (Wilder Brothers #4)

Chapter One

Ellie

I’m not a princess. I’m not a pop star. I’m not the daughter of some high-profile crime boss who desperately needs protection.

Nope, I’m a normal girl from a small, mind-numbing town in the middle of nowhere Colorado. I don’t wear fancy clothes, I don’t buy expensive things, and I don’t have an extravagant job.

In fact, I have the most boring job of all time.

“He’s a threat to you,” my mother continues as she washes out the pot from dinner.

It’s Sunday night, which means spaghetti at Mom and Dad’s.

They don’t care if you’re sick with the plague after hiking forty miles in high-heeled shoes while a camel was chasing you with a carving knife…

you are to be at their house on Sunday at five p.m. sharp for garlic bread… or else!

“Mom, Adam is not a threat. He’s a jerk. A lot of people’s exes are jerks. There’re about sixty thousand romantic comedies about it.”

“And there are even more Dateline episodes about it,” she says as snarky as she can, handing me the pot to dry. “I’ve already hired the man. It’s done.”

“Mom, you hired Adam’s dad. You don’t think that’s weird?”

She shakes her head and tosses a red checkered towel over her shoulder. “No, I think it makes perfect sense.”

“How? How does any of this make perfect sense to you? You don’t think his father would collude with him? That he’d look over his own son before some random ex?”

“The Wilders are good friends with your dad. Plus, Adam and Silas had a falling out around the same time you two broke up. That, and he owns part of that distillery that’s right next door to the shop you’re doing the accounting for.

It’s perfect. He can keep an eye on you while you’re doing what you already do. ”

“Oh, my God! That’s what I’m trying to tell you!” I’m admittedly loud, which my father picks up on right away.

“What’s going on? Why are you yelling at your mother?” He plunks down in the dining room chair and leans back, his big belly brushing against the table as he stares toward me. “You know how much she worries about you. The bodyguard thing is only temporary.”

“I’m twenty-five years old. I don’t need a bodyguard.

I need room to make mistakes. I need free money to get my life started.

I need a bottomless gift card to the coffee shop down the road from my office.

” I roll my eyes, ready to spar with my father.

“What I don’t need is my parents hiring my ex-boyfriend’s father to watch over me.

” I choke out a laugh. “You realize this is psychotic, right? You can’t do this. It’s probably illegal.”

“It’s not illegal to protect your child, Ellie.” My mother sighs as she pulls the cake out of the fridge. “Silas is a very nice man. Don’t you remember him?”

My stomach tightens as I think back on all the inappropriate thoughts I used to have about Adam’s father. Heck, I was having full-on pornographic fantasies about the man at one point. It was weird and messed up. He was my boyfriend’s dad.

I should not have been fantasizing about the safety of his big, rough hands or what the weight of his massive frame would feel like on top of me. Then again, he shouldn’t have said all those filthy things to me the night Adam and I broke up.

My panties dampen inappropriately at the mere memory of the way his deep voice warmed the lobe of my ear.

God, what the hell is wrong with me? I’ve worked so hard this last year not to think about that man.

He’s just a guy. A guy that’s way too old for me and far too off-limits.

I mean, I dated his son. His psychotic son.

I’m still young and I don’t know much about the world, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and assume a relationship like that doesn’t survive the test of time.

“Earth to Ellie,” my mother presses. “Do you remember Silas? You should. You spent a lot of time over at his place with Adam.”

I glare at my mother as my sister returns from the bathroom. “Of course I remember him. He’s weird.”

“Silas Wilder?” My sister shakes her head before plopping down at the dining room table with my dad.

Her hair is tied up in a messy bun, and still, she looks incredible.

The genes were not spread evenly in this house, which I think is incredibly unfair.

“Silas Wilder is not weird. He’s hot as hell. ”

“What is hot as hell about him?” My voice is high-pitched with a hint of big fat liar. “He’s massive, aggressive, and last I checked, grumpy as hell. I don’t want him following me around!”

“The grumpy, aggressive thing is what makes him hot,” my sister laughs. “Plus, the man is a freaking giant!”

“This isn’t about how attractive he is, Violet.” My mother sighs. “He’s too old, anyway. The man was hired to do a job. He knows Adam better than anyone. He’ll be one step ahead of him.”

Violet makes eyes with me, then raises her eyebrows playfully.

“Oh my God,” I roll my eyes to the side and go back to the dishes, “I’m living with insane people. You’re all nuts. You’re all nuts and you’re trying to take me there with you, but you can’t do it. I won’t participate.”

“If caring about your kids is nuts, then lock me up and take me to the nuthouse,” my mother huffs as she slides open the kitchen drawer, rummaging for a knife to cut the chocolate cake she’s made from scratch. Every week she tries a new recipe, and every cake is somehow better than the one before.

“Okay, you better go pack then,” I say, grabbing four plates from the cupboard.

“We’re going to need five.” My mother clears her throat as she sets the cake in the center of the dining room table. “Silas is meeting us for dessert.”

“What?” My chest tightens as my heart hammers with panic.

“I invited him here for dessert. I figured it would be a good time for him to get to know you better and work out a plan.”

“Mom!”

My sister’s eyes widen as she slices off a piece of cake prematurely, licking her fingers with a grin as though she’s ready for the drama.

“What, Ellie?” my mother presses. “Adam is bad news. I’m not going to let my daughter move out into the woods without protection. Not until I know he’s moved on.”

I pinch my lips together and suck in a deep breath. “And what’s the criteria for that, Mom?”

“He’s supposed to be shipping out with the Marines come fall. When he leaves, I’ll know you’re safe.”

“Right,” I groan as a heavy knock echoes in from the front room.

“I’m not doing this. You people are insane.

I’m a grown woman, and I’m going to go apologize to Mr. Wilder and ask him to leave.

” I don’t wait for anyone’s approval. I stalk toward the front door without regard for the hell I’m about to unleash.

I mean, why should I feel guilty for standing up for myself? I haven’t seen this man in nearly a year, and the last thing we said to each other was a definitive goodbye. We agreed it was best if we kept our distance. This is a breach of that agreement to the fullest extent.

With a burst of impatience, I throw open the door, a gust of cool air rushing in as I stare up at the big, hostile-looking man in front of me.

Why do I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut? Why do I want to jump up into his arms? Why do I want his hands all over me?

“I’m sorry you came all the way out here,” I swallow hard, “but there’s been a change in plans.”

His dark eyes are hard and irritable, his cap is set low, his shoulders are broad and firm, and his jaw is square like stone.

“Jesus Christ,” he exhales harshly as his gaze draws over me with a measured, assessing sweep, like he’s reacquainting himself with my body, “it’s been too long.”

How do I respond to this?

“A year,” I manage, swallowing hard, “and I appreciate your willingness to take this job my mother thinks is necessary, but I won’t be requiring your services.”

He drags his darkened gaze down over my frame and up again. “I remember our agreement, Ellie. I wouldn’t be here unless I felt it was necessary.”

He remembers our agreement? Does that mean he still thinks about the night he said all those filthy things to me? Is there a chance he fantasizes about me too?

God, I need to get a grip!

“What am I missing here?” I cross my arms over my chest and hitch my hip forward. “Adam is annoying, but he’s not a threat to my life. I don’t need a bodyguard. I mean, Adam is your son. You raised him. You must know he’s not going to hurt anyone.”

The giant tilts his head to the side and groans low before crossing his massive, inked arms over his chest. “Adam has lost his way. I could see him unraveling when you two were together. Losing you only made it worse.”

“Okay… but the worst he’s done is follow me around with some poems.” I shrug. “I can manage that without a bodyguard.”

Silas lowers his head as though he’s ashamed. “I found a notebook he was writing in. He’s been following you everywhere. He’s taking notes. He’s making plans. When I confronted him, he made all these comments about how you belonged to him. I think he’s going to try and kidnap you.”

My chest tightens as I stare up at Silas with a narrowed gaze.

“What? No, that’s not true. I’m sure he was just talking.

Adam has a very wild imagination. Remember those comic books he wrote with the people that survived the plane crash on that island?

It was so detailed. I’m sure he’s just fixating. ”

Silas tilts his head a fraction, then pauses before responding. “Angel, if I didn’t think this was a problem, I wouldn’t be here. This is as hard for me as it is for you.”

“Then why are you calling me angel?”

He looks away slowly before returning his gaze to mine. “I’ve always called you angel, but if you’d rather I don’t, I won’t.”

I’d rather he pick me up, carry me out of the house, and fuck me like an animal in the bed of his truck, but I’m losing focus here.

“I don’t know what I’m saying right now. I’m overwhelmed.” I suck in a breath and let it go quickly. “Won’t Adam only get angrier if you’re following me?”

“He doesn’t have to know.” His dark eyes stay steady with mine. “My goal is to keep you safe, not intrude on your life. I’ve made a promise to your parents, and I plan to respect that.”

He’s saying the word respect, but his eyes tell a different story, and I know from this moment forward, the plans I had for my big move to the mountains are about to get complicated.