Page 42 of The Bodyguard

“What happened?” Briar asks as Luis and Gina lurk a foot away.

I shrug and stand guard outside, grinding my teeth together. I want to know if she is all right, too, but it’s none of my fucking business.

“No idea. Head out.” I simply say.

“Let’s go,” Briar says, nudging Luis and Gina with her. “Tell Savannah I’ll call her later.”

I nod as they walk off.

Then I wait.

I wait and wait, but the longer I stand there, the more agitated I get.

Fuck this. Fuck feeling like this and not knowing what’s damn well wrong with her. I face the door, ready to open it, then turn back.

I can’t intrude on her privacy.

The clock ticks some more.

Nope, fuck this. I rip open the door and freeze. Savannah is standing in the middle of the room holding another white note, staring at it.

Naked.

I curse and close the door quickly.

“What’s wrong?” I demand, going to her.

Green eyes lift up, and I can see she’s terrified.

I take the card from her and read it.

NOW I HAVE YOUR DNA BITCH

“My panties are missing.”

Motherfucker.

“Jesus.” I curse and pull her naked body into my arms and hold her until I feel her trembling body calm somewhat.

“You really need to stop being so naked around me,” I rasp into her hair.

She lifts her face from my chest, and I brush her hair off her forehead. My brain reels as I realize someone was in here, took her underwear, and left the note.

There were a lot of people—at least twenty people—inside her dressing room at one point. All coming and going, but all of them people with access and security clearance.

Savannah begins to shiver, and I relax my hold on her. “Put your dress on and cancel the rest of your appointments.”

“I can’t.” She shakes her head. “Unless I’m in the hospital in a coma. Trust me. I can’t.”

Goddamn it.

“Fuck. Okay.” I don’t bother arguing. I’m no expert, but I figure she is locked up tight in contractual agreements and obligations. She’s already implied that once or twice in conversations.

I glance around and realize I still have her in my arms. I take her chin.

“Tonight, we’ll discuss this in more detail. For now, I don’t want you worrying. No one is getting near you. Or past me,” I say. “But you aren’t walking around Los Angeles with no panties on, so we need to stop and get you some.”

She frowns. “My dress is longer than my knees. It’s fine.”