Close Protection by Eden Victoria

Author:Eden Victoria
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Published: 2025-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

21 MILOSH

‘Hand off her thigh, Teddy,’ Henry instructs coolly as I walk into the snug. I look around the room and spot Teddy and Daphne on the couch, sitting way too close together for my liking.

She’s holding a washcloth in her hand and is almost face to face with him. Amelia and Henry are sat opposite on the other couch, with a scowl etched onto Henry’s face as he watches them.

Teddy’s hand is still lingering on Daphne’s leg so I clear my throat, letting my presence be known, and it’s almost comical how fast Mr Build-A-Bear shrinks back.

Almost being the operative word.

Everything about this guy irritates me.

From his curly blond hair to his polo shirt and sweater combo, he oozes charm. His glasses frame his face, despite the black eye, and really help him lean into the whole Prince Charming look that I’m sure works real well with Daphne’s princess girly vibe.

Physically, he looks a lot like Eddie, Daphne’s cousin’s boyfriend. But the big difference is, Eddie seemed like a decent guy.

Teddy is simply a dick.

After Teddy showed up, George took him to get changed into some dry clothes, while Amelia went to get Henry. Daphne got changed back into her regular clothes and I helped Hallie and Averie pack up and leave. I know before they left they agreed on a dress for Daphne, but I don’t know which one it was.

‘Stop moving,’ Daphne sighs, dabbing the washcloth to the side of Teddy’s mouth, her other hand gently holding his jaw in place.

‘Sorry, sorry,’ Teddy chirps, smiling at her, then wincing in pain.

Good.

‘So, Teddy,’ I say, and all at once four heads turn to me. I lean against the wall, slipping my hands into my pockets as I look at him. ‘How exactly do you know Daphne and her father?’

My eyes involuntarily wander to Daphne as she starts nervously biting her lip.

‘Well,’ Teddy starts, ‘I’ve known the Greens since I was a child. Spent way too many Christmases here. Our parents are close friends.’ He motions between him and Daphne, grinning. ‘And I actually started working with George this year as an apprentice, of sorts.’

As if on cue, George walks through the door holding a hot drink.

‘Here you go, Teddy.’ I don’t miss the subtle tremor in George’s hands as he places it onto the coffee table and takes a seat next to Henry. ‘All right, now we’re all here, Teddy, take us through what happened.’

‘Well, when I got back home after my workout everything was ruined. My apartment had been completely ransacked, with torn books, flipped tables, broken glass – you name it. I ran to my bedroom to check what else had been damaged but when I opened the door there were two huge men waiting for me. I tried to run but they were fast and caught up with me.’ Teddy takes a dramatic pause. I look over to Daphne to see her brows are knitted together in concern and empathy. Amelia and George have similar expressions.

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