Filthy: A thrilling bodyguard romance. by Tia Louise

Author:Tia Louise [Louise, Tia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TLM Productions LLC
Published: 2022-06-08T16:00:00+00:00

19

Hana

I’m hanging out in the store with Carmen when Dirk walks through the door. We both straighten, and I hop over to give him a hug.

“Hey, bro! Are you behaving today?”

His brow is furrowed, and he seems distracted. “There’s a fellow outside I’d like you to meet.”

Twisting my lips, I’m not sure what to make of that response. “Is he a cop?”

“What?” Dirk blinks at me, and I shrug.

“I asked if you were behaving, and you want me to meet some man?”

The bell rings on the cash register, signaling the end of Carmen’s transaction. A small group of tourists ambles out the door, and she walks over to where we’re standing.

“Hey, Dirk, what’s up?”

The store is empty, and he glances over his shoulder before leaning closer. “I’ve got this guy with me, Teal Masters. He says he’s Pepper’s dad.”

“Pepper’s dad!” Carmen’s eyebrows shoot up, and Dirk lifts his hand.

“Keep it down. We don’t want the whole town talking.”

“It’s only us here, Sherlock.” She cuts her eyes at him, and I think she’s right. Carmen and Dirk are too snarky for their own good.

“I love his name.” I try to diffuse the tension. “Teal Masters–it’s like a painting or an actor.”

“He’s a minor-league baseball player.”

“That explains a lot,” Carmen quips.

“Would you talk to him, Hana? You know Pepper as well as anyone. Feel him out, get an idea what he’s up to. I told him about you.”

My eyebrows shoot up, and I look from Carmen back to Dirk. “Sure. I mean, I’m glad to help, but I don’t know what I could possibly do–”

“Come on.” Dirk takes my hand, and I wave to Carmen as he drags me out of the store.

Waiting outside on the sidewalk is a very handsome man. He’s wearing a suit, and he’s about the same height as Dirk, maybe a little shorter.

He has a quick smile with a charming, deep dimple right in his cheek. He has a square jaw, and his sandy brown hair is a little shaggy and floppy. But what seals the deal are his big brown eyes–just like Pepper’s.

“Oh, yeah.” I nod, speaking softly. “He’s her dad.”

“Teal, this is my future sister-in-law, Hana van Hamilton. She and Pepper are close, so I thought you might want to talk to her.” Dirk steps back. “I’ll wait here with Carmen if you want to take a walk.”

Teal seems stunned, and I confess, I have no idea what Dirk is expecting to happen. Still, I cross my arms and start walking slowly. Teal joins me, and we stroll down the few blocks comprising downtown Hamiltown.

“Van Hamilton,” he notes. “So you’re one of the founding families?”

“I guess so,” I shrug with a little laugh. “I was born in Manhattan and stayed there until I was twenty. We’ve only recently moved here, and before that, I’d only visited a few times. My uncle Hugh is the real deal.”

He frowns up at me. “Dirk said you’re close with Pepper?”

“Yeah, we kind of hit it off from the start. We have a lot in common.

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