The Bodyguard: A BWWM Bad Body Romance(15)
“Not...exactly.” Bosh finally revealed, with no small amount of hesitation. It was pretty apparent that if she was going to get anything out of these boys, they were going to need a bit of coaxing. After years of being objectified for her looks, Juliet was pretty against using them when it came to petty desires, but this was important. She was going to be living with Hank for God knew who long, and she needed a leg-up on him.
The thought made her stomach clench at the surprising bolt of lust that seared through it. Any woman with eyes probably wanted two legs up on Compton. Asshole or no, the man was built like a tank, and Juliet would be lying if she didn’t admit to being impressed by the way he effortlessly hauled her up a staircase that took her twenty minutes to tackle on her own. She had no doubt that, physically, Hank was a force to be reckoned with.
But it wasn’t his physicality that worried her.
“Look, guys,” With no small amount of guilt, Juliet cast each of them an indulgent look from beneath long lashes, “I know there’s got to be lots of classified information here, but you don’t have to be in a house with the man. I just want to avoid getting my head bitten off.” Reaching out, she squeezed Bosh’s shoulder lightly. “Can’t you help a girl out?”
Juliet knew she had him the moment his eyes went soft. It occurred to her that that the difference between these men and Hank was their eyes. Most people emoted through their eyes - it was impossible not to. The eyes were supposed to be the windows to the soul. But when Juliet caught Hank’s gaze, there was nothing. No way to tell what he was thinking or feeling - just a chill that made her wonder who the hell had put it there.
“Look, Miss Brown-”
“Call me Juliet.” She had already put on the sweet girl act. Far be it from her to stop now. She smiled at each of them in turn, which earned her a bit of bashful shifting.
“Juliet,” Bosh corrected, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously. “You didn’t hear it from us, but Hank’s got a thing when it comes to your boyfriend’s family.”
“Ex-boyfriend,” Juliet was quick to correct them. It took everything she had to keep her smile in place. Just talking about Solomon was enough to turn her stomach.
“Whatever your relation is, Hank sees you as a part of their circle.” Crowley picked up for his partner with a sigh, his dark eyes wary. “He’s always been a distrustful bastard, and when it comes to the Aguilers, the man’s got a mean streak a mile long. Last year, we got a hold of Antonio Aguiler - Solomon’s Uncle. We wanted him to give up his brother and nephew but he wouldn’t talk, no matter what we did. Then, we brought Hank in to interrogate him.”
Somehow, Juliet didn’t like the sound of this. She remembered when Antonio had gone missing the previous year. Solomon and Caesar had been livid - convinced that he’d turned traitor. Then his dead body turned up at the morgue and was all over the papers. “Dunno what happened, “Bosh murmured lowly, “But Hank got enough info from him to take down a few smaller rings in the greater tri-state area, and Antonio ended up in the hospital. Then a body bag.”
For a moment, Juliet forgot how to breathe. Were they saying that the department brought Hank in to interrogate the man so badly he died from the abuse? What the hell kind of monster was she dealing with? She thought she’d gotten away from Solomon and his unpredictability, but Hank Compton didn’t sound much better. “So,” she swallowed thickly, forcing herself to remain calm. “You’re telling me he’s dangerous.”
“We’re telling you that when it comes to taking down the Aguilers, Compton’s ruthless.” Crowley answered her carefully. “So it’s best to cooperate with him. The sooner your business is done with him the better.”
No fucking kidding.
As if they sensed just how badly the subject matter was affecting her, Bosh and Crowley seemed to decide simultaneously to change the subject. “We’ll make the call to Simmons, Juliet. Just get us a list of things you need and we’ll make sure it’s taken care of.”
“Yeah.” Bosh chuckled. “No worries. A little internet and entertainment and you’ll find the days here pass quickly.”
Somehow, Juliet doubted that. Learning that she had somehow come to share a roof with a murderer once again had her wondering if she would ever truly be safe. As long as someone wanted to use her as a pawn, she’d be surrounded by volatile men - and that couldn’t bode well for her health.
True to their word, Bosh and Crowley took her list to Simmons, and within twenty four hours, a small truck arrived laden down with the things she’d asked for. When the agents that had come began to tote clothing, food, her new laptop and a bevy of other things into the cabin, Hank emerged from his room for the first time since they’d arrived to rant and rave.
“What the hell is all this stuff? I haven’t made any calls yet!”
Surprisingly, Juliet found her sharp retort stuck in her throat. She was caught completely off guard when the gigantic man emerged from his room in just a pair of sweatpants and a wife-beater. Any and all suspicious she’d had about Hank’s body were confirmed in that instant - his arms were burly from heavy lifting - what was more, they were covered from shoulder to wrist in a number of intricate tattoos that took her breath away. The more she saw of the man the more he convinced her that he must have lied his way into the FBI. FBI Agents didn’t look like Hank Compton.