Read Under the Tycoon's Protection for Free Online

“I’ll go with you.”
    â€œYou’re having lunch with Quent, remember? Besides, it’s broad daylight with plenty of traffic.”
    â€œQuentin and I can have lunch another time,” Connor shot back. “Besides, we’ve said all we needed to say. My guys are starting on the security system for the house this afternoon and I need to get back.” He nodded at Quentin. “You don’t mind if I take a rain check, do you?”
    Quentin looked quizzically from one to the other of them before, she could swear, a smile played at the corners of his lips. “Not a problem. Not a problem at all.”
    Her brother’s expression made her wary, but she didn’t dwell on it as Connor came toward her, obviously intent on following her out the door. “Suit yourselves.”
    â€œI’ll pick you up at work when you’re done,” Connor said in a tone that declared he would brook no argument. “Give me a ring on my cell.”
    â€œNaturally,” she responded sarcastically, though silently she admitted that she’d unintentionally summarized part of the problem: she was afraid that having Connor around might seem all too natural all too quickly.
    Â 
    On Sunday, Allison drove to Carlyle to have brunch with her family. Her brothers and her sister-in-law had all converged at her parents’ impressive brick colonial.
    Connor came with her, as she knew he would have even if he hadn’t gotten a separate invitation from her parents.
    He was still camped out at her townhouse, but she hadn’t given up hope of dislodging him. Even if Quentin technically still owned the townhouse and Connor could claim to be acting at his request, that didn’t mean she was without options. She wasn’t prepared yet to take the drastic step of moving out herself, but she could refuse to cooperate with Connor and ignore him as much as possible.
    The main topic of conversation during brunch was, of course, her nameless antagonist. In comparison, the fact that she was living with Connor seemingly went over without anyone so much as batting an eye.
    Her mother seemed to summarize the general feeling by commenting, “We’re so grateful to you, Connor, for providing your security services. It does give me some peace of mind.”
    Her brother Matt added, “Lots of luck, Connor. And, if I know Allison, you’re going to need it.”
    Connor merely cocked an eyebrow but Quentin and Noah grinned knowingly.
    Allison tossed a quelling look at her brothers—a glance that indicated their hilarity was definitely not appreciated.
    By the time brunch was over and she joined her sister-in-law Elizabeth in the family room, she was gritting her teeth. If there was anyone who could sympathize with her plight, however, it would be her best friend.
    She flopped into a wicker chair facing Liz. “Can you believe it? Grateful? Peace of mind?” She opened her eyes wide in mock disbelief.
    Liz, who’d just taken the rocking chair to breast-feed Nicholas, looked up. “I know, I know. But, Ally, really, aren’t you the least bit scared by all this?”
    â€œYou mean the threats?” Allison shrugged. “Yes, of course. But I can’t let fear paralyze me. Otherwise I might as well resign my job tomorrow.”
    Liz nodded understandingly.
    â€œBut don’t tell my brothers that.” She blew a breath. “If they knew I was the least bit bothered by this, they’d probably hide me in a hut somewhere with bodyguards posted at all sides.”
    Liz chuckled. “Oh, Allison, they mean well. Quentin, for one, is genuinely concerned about your safety.”
    â€œI know. I just wish they’d give me a little more credit. Besides, there are practically four of them.Connor could give the other three a run for the money in the overprotectiveness category.”
    Liz gave her a sympathetic look.
    Allison sighed in exasperation.