Since I Fell For You(59)

He’d never wanted anything more. But just because he wanted it didn’t mean it was right. “You need someone who can be totally professional.”

“Someone who doesn’t care about me as anything but a job, you mean?”

Damn it, when she put it like that…

Still, he made himself say, in as gentle a voice as possible, “I’ll make some calls first thing tomorrow and find you—”

“No. It’s you or no one. And you know I’m not bluffing. I’ll chew up and spit out any other bodyguard you assign to me.”

“What’s going on?” None of them had noticed Drake walking up the dock. “I came to let you guys know Smith and Valentina are heading out soon, so you can say good-bye. You guys look like you’re about to throw punches at each other.”

“Roman and I kissed,” Suzanne informed her youngest brother. “And now he thinks he needs to resign, even though us kissing in no way diminishes how good he is at his job. Even if I’m still not sure I need a bodyguard, he’s the best. And if we want to kiss, we’re going to kiss, no matter what you or Harry or Alec think, or say, or do.”

Drake looked from Suzanne to Roman to his brothers, then back at his sister. “I’ll admit we were pretty heavy-handed about hiring Roman, but if you two have crossed a line—”

“Crossed a line?” She poked Drake’s chest. “I’ve supported you every step of the way with Rosa. I freaking love that woman, but even if I didn’t, I would have sucked it up and gotten behind you both. How dare you even think about questioning what I’m feeling for Roman?”

She felt something for him.

Roman’s heart swelled. It didn’t matter that he knew better, knew she was completely off-limits, knew he could never be with her in a million years. It still meant something hearing that his feelings weren’t one-way. Meant something big. Because a woman like Suzanne wouldn’t feel something for a guy who was completely worthless, would she?

No one had ever stepped up for him the way she was tonight. No one had faced down a firing squad for him. No one had put her relationship with her family on the line for him. Roman wished she could know how much it meant to him. But at the same time, he’d never forgive himself if he put a wedge between her and her family.

“I’m not worth it, Suzanne. Not worth fighting over.”

“Maybe you are, maybe you aren’t,” she retorted. “But I’m not letting you walk out of my life until I know for sure one way or the other. And,” she said as she glared at each of her brothers, “I’m not letting any of you force Roman out of my life either.”

“Suz,” Harry said, “this isn’t like you.”

Though tensions were about as high as they could get, Harry wasn’t yelling. Roman had noticed over the past couple of years that when the academic spoke, people always listened. Likely because he never raised his voice. And also because he was a good guy on every level. Someone who would never cross the kind of line Roman had tonight.

“There’s no question that Alec needs to cool down before he opens his mouth again, and Drake probably should too.” Harry shot serious looks at both his brothers to make sure they understood. “But in the morning, Suz, I’m sure you’ll understand why Roman needs to resign and find you a new bodyguard.”

“No, you need to understand something. All of you need to understand it. I’m done being the peacekeeper. I’m done being the one to make nice between everyone and keep my own thoughts and hopes and desires at bay to try to make sure everyone else gets what they want and stays happy. I’m finally going to be the one making some waves. And all of you are going to have to deal with it.” She glared at her brothers. “I forgave you for going behind my back and hiring Roman in the first place. But don’t test me on this one.” She ran her hands over her hair and then her dress. “And now that I’ve finally said what’s needed to be said for a very long time, I’m going back to the wedding so that I can say good-bye to Smith and Valentina. If Roman wants to follow me back, fine. But the rest of you had better keep your distance right now.” With that, she stalked back down the dock, only slowing to pick up her shoes.

Of course Roman was going to follow her. And not only because it was his job. Inside of a week, she’d become the most important person in the world to him. But first he needed to say a few things to her brothers.

“I owe all of you an apology for what I’ve done,” he said in a grave tone, “and I want you to know I won’t be taking any money from you. I never intended for this to happen.”