Page 32 of You Found Me
“Forget it. I better go deal with this.” She swam to the side of the pool and dipped her head under one last time to clear the hair off her face, then stepped out.
Ward focused on her, but she had a feeling he was aware of everyone and everything in the backyard. He gave off the impression that he was standing right next to her even though he was ten feet away. She had no idea how he did that, but she didn’t like it at all.
She picked up a towel and started drying her hair to keep herself from sputtering out some kind of excuse or apology.
She didn’t owe him a damn thing.
He stared at her with those steel-blue eyes like she was the worst woman he’d ever met.
She glared back like he was the most annoying man on the planet.
The space between them steamed.
Seconds tick-tick-ticked.
She wrapped the towel around her waist and raised her chin in defiance.
His nostrils flared. She thought he might shout, or throw something, or maybe quit.
Instead, he tore his gaze away to shoot Greg a look that promised retribution. “Get these people out of here.”
Guilt poked its way into the mix of anger and resentment bubbling inside her. Greg had done what she’d asked him to do. He didn’t deserve to take the heat of Ward’s foul mood.
Greg hesitated for a fraction of a second like he wanted to argue, but then he nodded. He made a wrap-it-up gesture with one hand and shouted, “Party’s over.”
Della wanted to protest. This was her house, sort of, and her life and her party.
But she could see it was too late for that. People were drying off and heading toward the door.
Several cast furtive glances at her as they left.
Heat crawled into Della’s cheeks and down the back of her neck. The gossip this little episode would generate would probably fuel social media for a week, especially if even one person leaked any news of this to the paparazzi.
If that happened, her sisters would kill her. Especially Piper.
Ward dropped the cord and flicked his hand at the DJ as he stalked back into the house. “Pack it up.”
“You sure you’re okay?” Scott put a hand on Della’s shoulder. “Want me to stick around?”
“No.” She forced a smile onto her face and gave Scott a grateful peck on the cheek. “I want to yell at him in private. It was really nice meeting you, Scott.”
Scott gave her a doubtful look as he tugged on his shirt.
Nothing said a party was over like a hot guy putting his shirt on.
“Let me give you my number just in case,” Scott said. “If he tries anything, call 911 and then call me.”
“You’re a good man, and very sweet. Don’t worry about me. He might look mean, but he won’t hurt me. And Greg’s here to keep me safe.” She was pretty sure it would go against every bodyguard’s code to actually murder their client. That said, she wasn’t about to let grumpy pants ruin the start of a good thing. She liked Scott. She wouldn’t mind having a do-over with him. “Give me your phone.”
She programmed in her number and handed it back with a light brush of her fingers against his. “I had fun today. Text me and I’ll give you a call when I’m out of jail.”
“Hope it’s soon.” Scott cast one more frown at the door where Ward had disappeared, then left.
Della watched him go, and the rest of her party with him. She’d been having such a good time.
Warden Ward really was a buzz kill.
Chapter Six