Master Unchained (Stealth Guardians Book 2) by Tina Folsom Page B

a bunch of strangers about what happened at the center last night.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bitch, but I just wanted a quiet evening.”
    “You’re not bitching. And I’m gonna make sure nobody bothers you with stupid questions.”
    A hopeful ray lit up her eyes. “How are you gonna do that?”
    “Well, I could just kill anybody who tries to bother you.” When her mouth dropped open, he winked. “And I know how to make a body disappear. Comes with the job.”
    Tessa started to chuckle, and he smiled back at her.
    “Thank you, Hamish. I needed that.”
    Smirking he said, “I meant it!” Then he released her hand and switched off the engine, blocking in the two cars in the driveway. “Now let’s go in there and get this over with. We don’t have to stay long. I can come up with an excuse so we can leave early. How does that sound?”
    She gifted him with a genuine smile, one that made his heart beat excitedly. “That sounds wonderful. You’re the best.”
    “I should hope so,” he joked. “After all you should be getting your money’s worth.”
    “Can I even afford you?”
    “No, but I’ll give you a discount.”
    He couldn’t believe he was actually bantering with Tessa, and she was playing along. And he liked it. In fact, he liked it very much, because she was finally smiling and laughing genuinely, and it made her look even more beautiful. Gods, he was so screwed. Keeping his hands off Tessa would be a struggle for as long as he was assigned to her.
    As they walked past the two parked cars in the driveway, the front door was already opening.
    “Guess somebody saw us coming,” Hamish murmured to Tessa, who was walking next to him.
    She waved at the man now emerging from the doorway. “Dad!”
    They met halfway and embraced.
    “Hey, honey, you made it!” the older man said.
    “You didn’t tell me this was going to be a big party.”
    Tessa’s father shrugged. “Would you have come if I’d told you?”
    When Tessa grimaced, he added, “See, that’s exactly why I didn’t. Besides, you seem to have forgotten what today’s date is. I’m surprised you didn’t guess that there would be a big to-do.”
    Something flickered in Tessa’s eyes, as if her father’s words had triggered a memory. “Oh.”
    Her father shifted his gaze and extended his hand toward Hamish. “I’m Philip Wallace.”
    Hamish shook his hand. “Hamish MacGregor. Pleasure to meet you, sir.”
    Wallace had a surprisingly firm grip. His body looked trim and toned, indicating that he took care of himself and probably worked out regularly. His dark blond hair was graying at the temples, but showed no bald spots. His eyes were of a vibrant blue, lending him authority. He was a handsome man for his age, but Tessa had not inherited any of his features.
    “I wish I could say my daughter told me much about you, but I’m afraid she’s been a little tight-lipped.”
    “Well, we haven’t been dating for very long,” Hamish said quickly and reached for Tessa’s hand to demonstrate that they were indeed together.
    “Hmm. I only found out about you when I heard you saved her life last night.”
    Hamish smiled. “I was at the right place at the right time.”
    “I’d say! Quite some speed you’ve got, young man! Can’t say I’ve ever seen anybody react that fast.”
    Hamish shrugged. So Wallace had checked out the video clips online, no surprise. But there wasn’t enough footage to really piece together how quickly Hamish had actually been moving, so he wasn’t worried.
    Instead he grinned and brought Tessa’s hand to his lips, planting a chaste kiss on her knuckles. “Couldn’t let anything happen to your beautiful daughter. She’s too precious.”
    “That’s what I like to hear. Thank you, Hamish. I may call you Hamish, may I not?”
    Wallace graced him with a benevolent nod and smile. Just the reaction he’d expect from a concerned father. It had taken all of two minutes to