Guarding His Fortune

“Okay, so there was a fire and Ben was injured,” she said. “I’ll concede that much. But—”

“And there was cyber hacking at Robinson Tech, along with the sabotage on the Fortunado Real Estate business,” Nolan interrupted. “That should remind you that an evil mind is out to destroy the Fortune family. And with Charlotte reportedly digging into our family in New Orleans that could only mean one thing. We’re next on her radar.”

As Savannah’s gaze vacillated between the two grim-faced men, she realized there was no way she could win this argument. At least, not on this first day in the city. But that didn’t mean she was going to cave-in completely. After she was here a few days, safely going about her business, she could surely make her father and Chaz see that having a bodyguard was overkill.

Releasing a long, weary breath, she returned to the couch and sank down next to her brother. “Okay. I’m not happy about this situation,” she said grudgingly. “But to keep Dad happy I suppose I can go along with it—for a while.”

Her concession put a look of immense relief on her brother’s face. “I assured Dad that you were far too intelligent to put up much of a fuss. Thanks for proving me right.”

Intelligent? Not hardly. At this very moment, she could hardly dare herself to glance in Chaz’s direction. She didn’t like the way the sight of him caused her breath to catch in her throat. But hopefully she’d get used to him and his big masculine presence and he’d be no more of a distraction than a sleeping cat.

Sure, she thought wryly. Like she’d pay no attention at all to a sleeping tiger.

Nolan pushed back the cuff of his white shirt to glance at his watch. “Now that we have that settled I can spare a few more minutes. Why don’t we all have a cup of coffee or something?”

“Sorry. I’d be glad to offer you and Mr. Mendoza something to drink, but I’m afraid I’ve not had time to stock the apartment with food. Or anything else for that matter.”

Nolan’s expression was incredulous. “Savannah! I realize you’ve never lived away from home before—other than extended vacations. And we both know that you’ve never dealt with household or kitchen duties. But you should’ve already hired someone to furnish the apartment with everything. Groceries, linens—all the necessities. Are you expecting maid service to come in and do everything for you?”

Damn it! He was making her sound like some sort of pampered princess who didn’t have enough sense to get out of the rain, Savannah thought. Wondering what Chaz could possibly be thinking about her, she glanced at him.

As her gaze clashed with his, he didn’t hold back in expressing his thoughts on the subject.

He said, “If you’re planning on hiring help, then I’ll have to do a thorough background check before the person arrives. And the maid service will need to supply several legitimate references. I can’t take a chance that someone with ill intent might try to gain access to your apartment by posing as a maid or house servant.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sakes, you two are making this whole thing sound like a scene from a spy movie!” she exclaimed. “And anyway, you’re both wasting your breath. I’m not hiring maid service. I’ll be doing everything for myself. And that includes going shopping for everything I need.”

Nolan let out a scoffing laugh. “My little sister in a grocery store? That’ll be a first!”

Savannah glared at him. “What would you know about it? You’ve not lived at home in ages. You have no idea if I go into food markets or discount stores.”

He smothered a laugh behind his hand. “Sure, Savannah. That skirt and blouse look like you grabbed them straight off a discount rack. And those heels—I’ll bet you found those in a clearance bin.”

She wasn’t sure if it was anger at her brother or being embarrassed in front of Chaz that was causing a wave of heat to sweep across her face. One way or the other, she didn’t have to look in a mirror to know her cheeks were pink. And why? Being wealthy or privileged wasn’t a crime, or anything to feel ashamed about.

“You’re being obnoxious. You know for a fact that I’ve never wanted or expected to be pampered. I’ve worked hard to—”

Holding up both hands to halt her tirade, Nolan said, “Hold on, sis. I was only teasing you. Geez, you need to lighten up a bit.”

A long sigh slipped out of her. “Sorry, Nolan, but this has not been an easy day.”

He must have recognized just how stressed she’d been because he wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders. “No, I’m the one who should be sorry, Savannah. This was supposed to be a happy, special day for you. Instead, you’re faced with learning you now have to share your life with a bodyguard. I understand it’s not easy. But I’m sure Chaz is going to be as discreet as possible.”

No matter if the man never said a word to her. No matter if he always did his best to keep a measurable distance between them. She would feel his presence. She would know he was nearby watching her with those dark brown eyes. The very thought made her inwardly shiver.

Forcing herself to look at him, she said, “I’m sorry, Chaz. I don’t have anything against you personally. How could I? I don’t even know you. I’m just more than a little aggravated at my father for springing this on me. It was an underhanded thing to do to me and to you.”

“Me?” he asked, a puzzled frown marring his forehead.

“Yes. For putting you in such an awkward situation.”

One of his big shoulders shrugged in a nonchalant way. “Don’t worry about me, Miss Fortune. In my line of work, I can’t worry about my feelings being hurt. And I don’t need my ego stroked. The fact that you don’t want a bodyguard is insignificant to me. Miles Fortune is the person who hired me. I’m working to please him. Not you.”

Well, he’d made that plain enough. And though his feelings toward her shouldn’t matter, she felt downright deflated.

Nolan awkwardly cleared his throat. “Okay, I can see my presence is no longer needed so I think it’s time I head on back to work.”

Her brother’s announcement sent a rush of panic through Savannah. She quickly jumped to her feet and snatched a hold on his arm.

“I’ll show you to the door,” she said.

Without glancing in Chaz’s direction, she practically jerked Nolan out of the living room and down the foyer to the front door.

“Savannah, you hardly need to play the hostess with me,” Nolan said as she continued to cling to his arm.

“I’m not being a hostess. I’m being a sister,” she said in a hushed tone, then motioned her head toward the living room. “I want you to tell me how I’m supposed to deal with this? With him?”

To her disbelief, Nolan grinned at her. “Savannah, you’re an attractive young woman. Surely you know how to deal with a man.”

Deal with a man like Chaz? The men she’d spent any kind of company with had all possessed mushroom complexions from spending all their time indoors. Their muscles were softer than hers, and the gleam in their eye was usually caused by a glare of light on their glasses.

“I can see you’re not going to be any help at all.”

Chuckling, he gently patted her cheek. “You’re worrying way too much, Savannah. Just relax and enjoy having a strong man around to take care of you. You might actually like it. In the meantime, call me or Lizzie if you need us.”

Nolan was making light of the whole situation and Savannah supposed she should, too. Otherwise, she was going to wind up looking like a frantic little mouse who should’ve never left home.

Doing her best to smile, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “You’re right. I don’t have a thing to worry about. Except making a good impression at the university.”

“And I have no doubt you’ll do just that,” he said as he opened the door and stepped onto the porch. “See you later, sis.”

With a little wave, he strode off down the driveway. Savannah watched him slide behind the wheel of his car and drive away before she finally shut the door and engaged the dead bolt. The last thing she needed right now was to get a lecture from Chaz about leaving the apartment unlocked, she thought.

When she returned to the living room, Chaz was gone, so she walked straight to the kitchen. To her delight, the room was equipped with beautiful oak cabinets with glass doors. A work island with an inlaid cutting board, along with a large indoor grill, was located in the middle of the room. The appliances were stainless steel and very up to date. Above the deep double-sink, a wide window overlooked a small backyard with a brick patio, where a group of red motel furniture was shaded by a massive live oak.

At least if she started feeling too suffocated by Chaz’s presence, she could escape to the patio.

“Your brother is gone?”

The sound of Chaz’s voice had her turning away from the window. “Yes. I think he’d had all of me he could take for one day.”

He moved into the room and Savannah noticed he moved quietly, with the grace of an athlete. “It’s obvious he’s very fond of you. Have you two always been close?”

Telling herself to relax, she walked over to the island and ran her hand lightly over the cutting board. “I’m close to all my siblings. I’m not sure what my father has told you about our family, but there are seven of us children. I have four brothers and two sisters.”

“And they all live in New Orleans, except for you and Nolan?”

She nodded. “That’s right. He and his wife, Lizzie, married last March. They have a baby girl, Stella. Lizzie is from Austin and since Nolan is a jazz musician, he loves it here. And me—well, you already know why I’m here.”

“Yes. To study.”

He made it sound as though she were causing a great deal of problems over something she could be doing safely back in New Orleans. Or was she being overly defensive? Since she’d only met Chaz a little more than an hour ago, she couldn’t assume what was going on in his head. He might not be thinking anything of the sort. After all, during their ride from the airport, he’d called her studies admirable. She’d felt certain his compliment was sincere. Now she wasn’t sure about that or anything else.

Oh, God, she had to get a grip, she thought. Her mind was jumping in all sorts of directions and the last thing she wanted was for this man to think she was scatterbrained and unable to take care of herself.

“Well,” she said with the most positive tone she could muster. “I’m going to deal with my bags and have a look at the rest of the apartment.”

“Um, I think you should know that I’ve already put my things in the smaller bedroom. But if you prefer it over the larger one, I can easily move everything.”

He’d already moved in? Before she’d even had a chance to see her own apartment? Oh, her father was definitely going to hear about this, she promised herself. But to keep the peace for now, she was going to do her best to get along with Chaz Mendoza.

“I appreciate your offer, but I’m sure the room will suit me.”

One of his black brows arched as though he were surprised she was being agreeable, for once.

“Fine. I’ll help you carry your bags,” he said.

“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”

They started out of the kitchen and Chaz said, “The apartment is actually large for one person. Are you planning on entertaining friends while you’re here?”

Did he mean friends in general, or men? Did she look like a party girl to him? She supposed it didn’t matter, but the question left her a bit uncomfortable.

“Don’t worry,” she replied. “I have no plans to do any entertaining. Other than Nolan and his family, I don’t know anyone here in Austin. If I invite anyone over, it will be them.”

They entered the living room and Savannah paused to take a closer survey of the space. Besides the leather sofa and matching armchair, there was a platform rocker and footstool done in a knobby burgundy fabric. At the far end of the room, a large flat-screen TV sat atop an oak entertainment center. A remote for it was lying on the end of a long glass-topped coffee table.

She rarely watched television and had no plans to change her habits, but perhaps Chaz might enjoy the diversion, she thought.

He walked over to the window and peered out at the small front lawn. Savannah got the feeling he was studying more than the perfectly manicured St. Augustine grass and blooming oleanders. Did he really believe that Charlotte Robinson or her paid cronies would actually try to cause her harm? The idea seemed fantastic.

He said, “I’m sure you’ll be making new friends at the university. If you do decide to have company, or a dinner party, be sure and tell me about it beforehand. I’ll have to—”

“Do background checks on my guests?” she interrupted.

He walked over to where she was standing. “Maybe. Maybe not. I just need to be prepared. It’s a part of my job—to keep you safe.”

“Yes. By all means, I’ll tell you every move I intend to make.”

His gaze slipped over her face and for a moment Savannah was totally disarmed by his chocolate-brown eyes. As a bodyguard, she would’ve expected his gaze to be razor sharp. Instead, his eyes were soft and alluring. And it suddenly dawned on Savannah that if she weren’t careful, she might easily get lost in those deep, dark pools.

“I’m sorry you’re so displeased about this,” he said. “But one day you might be very thankful your father was so concerned about you.”

She couldn’t imagine herself being thankful for having her stay in Austin invaded by this man. But she didn’t want to appear like an ungrateful brat, too spoiled to deal with reality.

“I understand my father has worries about my safety. It’s just that—well, I’ve not had time to get used to all of this. Especially when I thought—”

“You thought what?”

She shrugged, while telling herself to step aside until there was three or four feet of distance separating them. That might be enough space to get her breathing back to an even keel. But looking into those dreamy eyes had done something to her feet. Both of them seemed stuck to the floor.

A nervous flutter suddenly attacked the back of her throat, forcing her to swallow before she could answer. “I thought—well, you see, like Nolan pointed out, this is my first real venture at living away from home. I was looking forward to it. Being just me—taking care of myself, doing things for myself. Now, all my plans have been turned upside down.”

Before she could guess his intentions, he stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. It felt big and warm, and the mere fact that he was touching her sent electrical currents shooting through her entire body.

“I promise, Savannah, this isn’t going to be as bad as you’re thinking. I will stay out of your way as much as possible. Okay?”

His voice was low, and husky, and just as seductive as the touch of his hand. “Okay,” she murmured. “And I’ll do my best not to cause you any major headaches.”

One corner of his lips cocked upward. “Let’s not worry about future problems. Certainly not for the rest of today.”

His hand eased off her shoulder and Savannah decided it was high time to step away from him.

“I’m all for that.” She walked over to the bags she’d dropped earlier and collected them from the floor. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take these to the bedroom.”

Inside the master bedroom, Savannah placed her luggage on the end of a queen-sized bed with an ornate head-and footboard made of brass. A green and navy comforter, along with pillows in matching shams, covered the mattress. However, a quick peek beneath the comforter revealed there were no sheets. She made a mental note to put them on her shopping list.

The sound of Chaz’s footsteps had her turning away from the bed to see him entering the room with her remaining bags.

“Where would you like these?” he asked.

“Anywhere will be fine. Thanks,” she told him.

He put the suitcases on the floor at the foot of the bed, then promptly returned to the open doorway.

Pausing there, he asked, “Are you okay with this room?”

“The room is fine. But I realize I’m going to need more things than I anticipated. Does your bed have linen?”

“No. But I don’t need a set of sheets to be able to sleep.”

Not knowing how to respond to that, she simply said, “Oh.”

Her one word reply put an amused look on his face. “I was in the army,” he explained. “Fluffy beds with nice linens aren’t always available to a soldier.”

Intrigued, Savannah took a few steps toward him. “You were in the military?”

“For eight years.”

She stared at him, while trying to picture him in a uniform, following the rigors of the army. “Eight years! Really?”

A faint smile touched his face. “I can see that surprises you.”

“Very much. I thought—” She broke off as she realized that up until now, she’d not been thinking about Chaz’s background. She’d been too preoccupied with the present and how to control her unsettling reaction to him.

“Thought what?” he prodded. “That I spent my younger years being a bouncer in some sleazy nightclub?”

Embarrassed heat swept over her face. “No! Not exactly. My father would never hire anyone without excellent credentials. I just assumed you had probably worked for a security firm or in law enforcement.”

He shook his head. “After having army buddies around me for so many years, I wondered what it might be like to go solo. Turns out I like it.”

He was talking about his work, but Savannah was thinking more along the lines of his love life. Did he also like living alone? That was definitely a question she was going to keep to herself. It was none of her business if Chaz shared an apartment with a woman, or dated a bevy of them.

“That’s good. I mean—that you like working solo.” Flustered by her straying thoughts and the way his lazy gaze continued to meander over her face, she purposely moved back to the bed and picked up one of the pillows. “There are so many things I need for the apartment. I’m going to put off unpacking and make a trip to the nearest shopping center.”

“I’ll have to go with you,” he said. “So we’ll take my car.”

Frowning, she turned to look at him. “Are you planning on driving me everywhere I need to go? Because I’ve already booked a rental car. In fact, I’m supposed to pick it up this afternoon.”

He stroked a thumb and forefinger over his black goatee as he contemplated her question. “We’ll pick up the car after you finish your shopping. There might be occasions while you’re at the university that I’ll have to be elsewhere. But that doesn’t mean I want you driving around town or to and from campus without me in the vehicle with you or following directly behind you.”

She struggled to keep from rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. This had to be the most ridiculous waste she’d ever heard of, but she knew from experience it would be fruitless to argue the point with her father.

“Fine. At least, I’ll have a car of my own,” she said, then walked over to the door. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to change clothes before we leave.”

His dark gaze swept over her and Savannah got the feeling he’d already undressed her. The notion shot a plume of heat from her toes to her head.

“I’ll be waiting in the living room.”

He turned away and Savannah couldn’t shut the door between them fast enough. After turning the lock, she slumped against the wooden panel and waited for her heart to quit pounding and her breaths to become more than shallow sups.

Dear Lord, what was the man doing to her? At this rate, she was going to end up fainting at his feet! A fate that would be worse than humiliating.

No, she thought, as she marched over to the bed and began to shed her blouse and skirt. Before she made a complete fool of herself, she was going to convince herself that she disliked everything about the sexy Latino. And that included his tall muscular body, those dark dreamy eyes and husky voice. She would trick her brain into believing she didn’t find anything attractive in the way his black hair waved gently away from his face or the way his trimmed mustache bracketed a pair of very kissable lips.

Kissable?

Damn! What did she know about kissing a man? Not just a young college boy, but a mature, masculine hunk of man like Chaz Mendoza? Very little. And while she was here in Austin, she didn’t plan on learning.

She was here to study diseases. Not to fall prey to a chronic heart condition.

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