Silver Fire (Guardians) by Victoria Paige Page B

fine. I’ve hired security.”
    “Security? Are you in danger, Sophie?” Christopher’s voice was laced with concern.
    “The fire was—”
    “What the fuck?” A voice thundered off to her side and a furious Braden Connelly yanked the phone out of her hands and smashed it under his boot. “What part of do not use a cell phone do you not understand?” Braden stalked off to the kitchen and reprimanded Thalia for not keeping an eye on Sophie.
    Sophie looked at Derek who had the same expression as Braden.
    “Seriously. Did you have to smash it, Braden?” Stephen grumbled.
    “Yes, he did,” Derek replied evenly, looking at Sophie. “That was a dumb move, Angel. Didn’t Connelly explain to you to use only the secure SAT phone when in the house?”
    Nobody calls her dumb, but yes that was a stupid lapse of judgment on her part. Braden walked back, a dark scowl still on his face. “Who was that on the phone?”
    “Christopher Blackstone.”
    The curses of both men blistered her ears.  
    “Do you know he is under surveillance right now?” Braden demanded.
    “Yes. But he is an old family friend, I can hardly ignore him.”
    “What did he want?” Derek asked.
    “He was offering me a place to stay.”
    Derek and Braden exchanged glances.
    “Look, speculate all you want. It’s no secret he wants my father’s research. He’ll have no access to it if I’m dead. So strike him of your list of suspects. You’re wasting your time,” Sophie said and added sarcastically, “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.”
    She stormed away and headed to her assigned room. Stephen followed her and grabbed her arm. “That was harsh.” His voice brimmed with mirth and pride.
    “If they think they can order me around, they have another think coming,” Sophie said. “They may have all the brawn, but I hired AGS; I can also fire them.”
    Thalia knocked on the door.  
    “Sorry for getting you yelled at,” Sophie told the female Guardian.
    “Don’t worry. It was my fault really,” Thalia smiled, handed her the SAT phone and left the room.
      Sophie sat on the bed and took off her shoes. Her feet were killing her from all that shopping. She called Christopher back.
    “Sophie! What the hell was that all about?” Christopher demanded over the phone.
    “An over-vigilant security team,” Sophie explained.
    “Do you want me to come get you,” he offered. “Sweetheart, I have an army to keep you safe. Just say the word.”
    Alarm bells sounded in her head, but she shook it off.  
    “Why don’t I take you out to dinner, sweetheart? You can bring Stephen and Beth if you like.”
    “That sounds wonderful, Christopher,” Sophie replied. “I’ll have to clear it with my security team. Why don’t you call me tomorrow at the office?”
    They spoke for a few more minutes before she hung up.
    When she turned around, Derek was leaning against the doorjamb, observing her with a predatory gaze. Stephen had deserted her, that traitor.
    “Alone at last,” Derek murmured.
    “I don’t have time for your sexual innuendos, Lockwood.”
    “I told you to call me, Derek.” He walked into the room, took the phone from her and pulled her up from the bed, holding her about six inches from his body, which was radiating serious heat. She could feel herself getting uncomfortably flushed—sexually aroused. “You know, Angel, that bed is so tempting right now, but I want to take it slow with you.”
    “There’s no taking anything with me. Why can’t you accept that?” Sophie said angrily.  
    “I’ve told you I’ve had a taste of you, I want more,” Derek muttered, his eyes dropping to her mouth. Her lips involuntarily parted. “So here’s how it’s going to go. I know you’re clean. You haven’t had sex in thirteen years, am I right?”
    “Of course I’m clean!” Sophie retorted indignantly.
    Derek grinned. “You’re going on birth control.”
    “Excuse me? I’ve already been since I was