The Bodyguard's Fake Marriage (Sweet Fake Marriage Romance Book 3)

by Bree Livingston

  “Yes, he is,” the woman said as she stared at Lexi over her cup. “Could you tell me about what’s going on?”

  Lexi nodded and picked up the tea cup meant for her. In between sips, she told Pamela everything that happened, starting from the very beginning when her papa called, telling her she was marrying Faustus.

  Pamela set her cup down. “I’ll get Ryder working on it. Do you know if Faustus already has someone in the Land Registry office who will accept an altered deed to your family’s land?”

  “I have no idea. I don’t even know if my papa’s still alive.”

  “I’ll get some information on that too.” Pamela crossed her legs and leaned back in the chair. “I have to tell you, I’m a little concerned with the amount of firepower he brought to Ellington. Are you sure he’s not trying to kill you?”

  Lexi shrugged. “I don’t think so. I mean, in Greece, it can be hard to show ownership, but our land has been in our family for centuries. Everyone knows it. My papa has influence with some of the highest men in politics. Marrying me will give Faustus credibility. He’ll look better with me on his arm and my papa backing him up, especially since there are rumors that Faustus killed his father.”

  Pamela nodded. “Okay.”

  For the third time, a knock came from the door, and Noah peeked in. A week and a half ago, he would have been just her type, but now? He was just a cute guy, and Jake was the only man occupying her thoughts.

  “Uh, Jake’s asking for her,” he said.

  Lexi’s pulse jumped. Jake was awake, and he was asking for her. That had to be a good thing, right? She chewed her lip and looked to Pamela.

  Pamela rolled her eyes. “That man.” She stood and waved to Lexi to follow her. “This way.”

  Noah stepped aside as they walked out and hung back with Lexi. “He wasn’t really asking for you, but I know you’re wanting to see him.” He winked.

  Tears pooled in her eyes, and before she could wipe them away, they trickled down her cheeks. “Thank you. He saved my life. I just want to see him.”

  “When I spoke to him before you two had to run, he said something about getting married.”

  A laughed popped out. “Yeah, my papa was going to force me to marry someone, and he’d never been like that before. We’ll have it annulled when this is all over.”

  Noah clasped his hands behind his back as he walked. “I don’t know what Jake’s told you about himself, but he’s not the kind of guy to marry someone without feeling something for them.”

  Lexi swallowed hard. Feelings for her? She knew he liked kissing her, and the feeling was mutual. But feelings? Like, real feelings? “Uh.” Real clever, Lex, keep the one-lines coming.

  “I could be wrong. I mean, Jake takes his work serious, but…”

  “But what?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

  Noah smiled. She had to admit the guy had a fantastic smile. Not as great as Jake’s, though. “He talked to me about your case before he took it. Actually, he wasn’t going to take it until he found out you were training to be a doctor. That’s when he agreed to be your bodyguard.”

  “Oh.” She smiled. “He’s the only one of the four bodyguards that congratulated me on finishing my clinicals.” And finding out that he’d only agreed after he found out she was studying to be a doctor made it worth so much more.

  They took a set of stairs down and stopped in front of the second door on the left. Pamela turned to her. “Take your time.”

  Noah waited until Pamela was out of earshot and then stuffed his hands in his pockets as he leaned his back against the wall. “I think he’ll do better if you’re with him.”

  “Pamela said he’s been in worse shape, but I’m having a hard time picturing that. He looked…” A tear streamed down her face, and she wiped it off.

  “He has, but I won’t lie. He’s hurt. Broken ribs, black eyes, two gunshot wounds, and more bruises than I’ve seen on him in a while, but he’s going to be okay.”

  Her lips parted, and she captured her bottom lip with her teeth. “He passed out two days ago, and he still didn’t feel good when we left the motel yesterday.”

  Noah nodded. “Yeah, he was running a fever when he got here. That’s part of what took so long. Getting that under control while they got him patched up.”

  “But you’re sure he’s going to be okay?”

  “Yeah, he will be.” Noah pulled out one of his hands and touched hers. “Listen, what you’ve been through takes time to process. Spending days on the run with someone can heighten emotions.”

  “What are you saying?”

  He smiled. “I’m saying, don’t break my friend’s heart. Jake isn’t the type to date a lot. Unless you know how you feel and you’re sure about it, don’t say anything. Because with Jake, once he’s in, he’s in, and that’s it.”

  She touched Noah’s arm. “I do care about him.”

  “I know. I could tell when you screamed, ‘I’ll claw your eyes out if you hurt him!’”

  Her cheeks heated. She didn’t even remember saying that. “I’m sorry.”

  “Actually, I hope I find someone like you one day. There’s nothing sexier than a woman willing to pound someone for you.”

  She popped him on the arm. “You’re a charmer. I sincerely doubt it’ll take long to find a woman willing to crawl over bodies for you.”

  “Go see my friend,” he said with a grin and tipped his head toward the door.

  Lexi nodded, took a deep breath, and stepped inside the room. It smelled sterile and felt exactly like a hospital room, which made her wonder how many times it had been used.

  As her gaze fell on Jake, her hands came to her mouth as she gasped, and her heart hit the floor. She’d seen people hooked to tubes, broken and bruised, but Jake…Her eyes watered, and she tried to blink back tears.

  She slowly crossed the room and took his hand before sitting next to him. “Oh, how did you even make it to the helicopter?” Noah hadn’t adequately described Jake’s condition. At least not in Lexi’s eyes.

  He’d taken so much abuse. And he’d taken it for her, trying to keep her out of Faustus’s hands. She bent down and smoothed his hair back before pressing a kiss to his forehead. Then she touched her cheek to his.

  How did she feel about him? Was what she was feeling real or was it a false flag? There was no doubt she was attracted to him. She could get lost in those twinkling dark-blue eyes. And that smile? Oh, and his kisses were heavenly. She could live on those.

  There was such peace in being near him. Like she’d found something she didn’t know was missing. Why did she feel so much better from just being able to touch him? True, she’d known him a little more than six months, but she’d only gotten to know him in the last couple of weeks. Except, what she’d learned was that the man who’d stood watch over her was more than a tall hulking man. She loved him. Love?

  She shook her head. No, Noah was right. It wasn’t time to think about that. When he was feeling better, she’d revisit those feelings. Until then, she’d sit by him, hold his hand, and be here when he woke up. Maybe by then she’d know whether what she felt was true or not.

  Chapter 20

  Jake pushed away the cup of water. “Really, I’m fine.”

  “You need to drink more,” Lexi said as she tried to put the straw to his lips again.

  The room he was in was sterile, cream-colored, and big enough to hold a bedside table, his bed, all the machines that were beeping, and a few chairs. He’d stayed at the house before, but he’d never needed this room before.

  He was still fuzzy on the details, but he knew he was unconscious for about two days. When he’d woken up late the night before, Lexi was lying next to him with her hand stretched across his chest. He’d seen tears in her eyes when she realized he was awake. That had bugged him. He didn’t like the idea that he was the source of her crying. Although, he had to admit, it felt good to know she cared enough to cry.

  “I’m hydrated enough. I�
��m broken. Stop making me fight you.”

  She rolled her eyes and smiled as she shook her head. “Milk it all you can, tough guy.”

  He chuckled and winced. “Stop making me laugh.”

  “Why? It’s the best medicine.”

  “Not right now, it’s not.”

  She set the cup on the bedside table and bent forward, smoothing his hair back. “I’m so glad you’re okay. You have no idea how happy I am to see you smile.”

  “I’m just glad you’re safe.” They’d kept details from him so far in an effort to help him rest. Only it wasn’t helping him rest. It was frustrating the crud out of him. “Just tell me what Pamela said.”

  Lexi shook her head. “Not until you’re healed a little more. They’re working out a plan, and that’s all you need to know.”

  “I need to be a part of that plan.”

  “You have two bullet wounds and broken ribs. You’re about as good as a wet noodle in a drawing contest.”

  He held her gaze but couldn’t stop the smile from spreading on his lips. “That’s cold, Ms. Maheras.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “You call me Ms. Maheras again, and I’ll show you cold.”

  “That is your name, you know.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “The only two names you are allowed to call me are Lex and Lexi, and you know which one I prefer.”

  Oh, this woman. As roughed up as he was, he was aching to kiss her. Had been desperate for the feel of her lips since his vision cleared and her perfect face came into view.

  “Okay, Lex.”

  “Good boy. Now, was that so hard?” She grinned, and those incredible lips only became that much more kissable.

  He cast his gaze to the bed, and it felt as though he’d been kicked all of a sudden. His time with her was almost over, and he hated it. She deserved so much better than him, but he loved her more than anything, and he’d give anything to be with her. But it wasn’t the right time, and he wasn’t sure there’d ever be a right time. Not when their lives could take them in opposite directions.

  Lexi tipped his chin up and leaned in. “What’s got you so deep in thought?”

  “Nothing.”

  The heart monitor climbed, and Lexi laughed. “That’s what you get for being hooked up to a lie detector.”

  He pulled the clip off his finger and yanked the cord, unplugging it from the wall. “My heart is beating just fine.”

  Lexi laughed. “I’d say so.”

  “Get out of here.” He chuckled.

  She leaned in. “Now, I’ve been around you long enough to know that you weren’t thinking about nothing.” Her gaze dipped to his lips and back up. “I think if I wagered a bet, I could guess what you were thinking about, and I’d probably win.”

  He chuckled and smiled. “I doubt it.” He wrapped his fingers in the ends of her hair. “It does make me wonder what you were thinking about.”

  As she leaned further in, the air shifted as her lips hovered just a breath away from his. “Oh really?” she asked, her voice low and in that sultry tone that made his body go haywire.

  His mouth went dry, and he was glad he’d given that heart monitor the heave-ho; otherwise, it would be screaming like a banshee. “In my weakened state, I may be thinking that I’d like to kiss you, but I know I made—”

  She cut him off by touching her lips to his, and a groan ripped from his throat as he pulled her closer. It seemed like forever since he’d kissed her, and it was an unquenchable need.

  Just as he deepened the kiss, the muscles surrounding his ribs clenched, and he whimpered. “I’m sorry.”

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “No, I’m sore all over.” He covered his midsection with his arm. “I’m sorry,” he said as he laid his head back.

  She lay down next to him and propped herself up on her elbow. Her fingers wound their way through his hair, and it was like a balm. “No need to be sorry. You just owe me a kiss when you’re feeling better.”

  Jake opened his eyes, and her smile greeted him. “I do, huh?”

  “Oh yeah, and I plan to collect.”

  A tapping came from the door, and Noah peeked his head in. “Hey, Lexi, Pamela has some things she needs to speak to you about.”

  “Me?” Lexi pointed to herself.

  “Yeah, it’s about your dad.”

  She pressed a kiss to Jake’s forehead and stood. “I’ll be back in a minute.” As she passed Noah, she said, “Eye clawing is still on the table. Got it?”

  Noah threw his head back and laughed. “He’ll be in at least as good of shape when you return.”

  “I’m holding you to that.”

  She waved bye to Jake and walked out the door, closing it behind her.

  “Eye clawing?” Jake asked.

  “She cares.”

  Jake laughed. “Oh.”

  Noah pulled the chair around and straddled it. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I was shot, punched, and sick.”

  “So, a normal day at the office?” Noah grinned.

  Jake nodded. “Pretty much.”

  “I see you finally cut that disgustingly long hair.”

  “Shut up and get out of here.”

  Noah laughed and threw a thumb at the door. “Your girl is a rather feisty thing; you know that?”

  Jake snorted. “She’s not my girl.”

  “She hasn’t left your side since Pamela let her see you once we got you stable,” Noah said as he draped his arms over the back of the chair.

  “She’s been through a lot. It’s not every day you see someone shot right before your eyes. We’ve been on the run. There’s too much that’s happened to really gauge anything.”

  “Yeah, but you love her.”

  Jake looked away and scoffed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He’d only admitted that to himself, and just barely. If he said it aloud, it would make it real, and what if she didn’t want him?

  “You absolutely know what I’m talking about. I spent five minutes with her and was smitten.”

  Jake jerked his attention to Noah. “You keep your smitten to yourself.”

  “Awfully possessive for someone you don’t have feelings for.”

  “It wouldn’t work anyway. My job is dangerous, and I never know where it’s going to take me. She’s got her residency to complete. It’s foolish to even go there.”

  Noah nodded, but Jake could see the wheels turning. “Before you took her case, you were on the verge of being done with this line of work. You were sick of the travel and the danger, and you wanted out. So, leave it and have a life with her.”

  It wasn’t like Jake hadn’t considered it. “It’s not that simple, and you know it. She deserves better, Noah. She is intelligent, witty, sweet, and protective. I’m…”

  “Still shouldering the blame for something that isn’t yours to shoulder.”

  Jake’s temper flared. “Stop.”

  “No, not this time. You didn’t know Sabeen was in trouble. She had you fooled. All of you. Nothing indicated that she’d started working with Al-Qaeda. Jake, it could have been any of us that it happened to. Let it go, man.”

  Jake growled as he pushed himself into a sitting position. “You weren’t there. There were signs. I was trained to look for lies, and I failed them. I trusted her. I believed her about the cell. I got them killed.”

  Noah stood and walked to Jake. “No, you didn’t get them killed, and deep down, you know it. You walked into a trap. The only thing that’s keeping you from letting it go is that you think carrying that guilt keeps them alive. It doesn’t. The only thing the guilt is doing is putting you in a grave faster.”

  Jake hung his head. It wasn’t as simple as saying he was done. He’d tried to let the guilt go. It was one of the reasons he’d gone to a therapist.

  “Brother, you know I’m right. Let that guilt go,” Noah said.

  Jake’s shoulders sagged. “I want to let it go. I don’t know how. I feel like I should’ve been able to
do something.”

  Noah sat on the edge of the bed. “But you couldn’t. You did the best you could at the time, and you’ve carried this long enough. You are one of the best men I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I’ve never met anyone with better character than you.”

  “I can try,” Jake whispered.

  “That’s all any of us can do.” Noah stood and walked to the door. “You should get some more rest. Maybe, just maybe, if you can hobble to the door tomorrow, Pamela might let you know what’s going on.” He laughed.

  Jake lifted his gaze to Noah. He grabbed the unopened cup of green gelatin and chucked it at him. It hit the door and splattered as the plastic cup crashed against it, spraying Noah’s hair and shirt. “Okay, Hulk, watcha got to say now?”

  Noah shook his head and held his shirt out. “What are you, nine?”

  “Ten, and you should clean that up.”

  “You just wait. When you’re feeling better, I’ll get you.”

  Jake laughed and grunted. He slid his arm tighter around his middle. “You should get that green dye out of your hair before it stains. Unless you want to look like a punk rocker.”

  Noah grumbled and stepped over the clumps of gelatin on the floor as he left the room. Jake heard him call for a cleanup, and he grunted a laugh.

  As he sat there, he realized that he’d moved too quickly. His head pounded, and his body throbbed. Easing himself back down, he replayed the conversation he’d just had. He had carried a lot of guilt from his last mission, because every time he went over the year prior to the attack, there were signs. But he wasn’t the only one who’d missed them, and even if he had been, was staying stagnant helping?

  Maybe he had held onto something that he needed to let go of, not because he wasn’t guilty, but because he couldn’t change it. Maybe in his quest to keep his men’s memory alive, he’d relegated them to a mistake. But they weren’t mistakes, and they didn’t need to be remembered with that cloud hanging over them. They needed to be remembered as comrades that he’d lost and celebrated as good people he cared about.

  It didn’t change his status with Lexi at the moment, but there was hope that it might. He loved her, and if she gave him the chance, he’d show her just how much he could love her.