Guarded (Lloyd Hansen AU) 18+

2

"As if someone like Elvie Gold would let your brother anywhere near her". Cressida snorts later that evening as we sit in the yacht while the rest of the celebrities that turned out for the Monaco Grand Prix, party the night away. "Like she needs anymore exposure". 

"Yeah, especially to Curtis". I laugh off the rumours like I always do. I have to deal with the shit and so does he. "Speaking of which...what's all this about you hooking up with Johnny Storm?" I now sip my margarita and eye her over the rim of the glass. I know it's just as much bullshit as Curtis's press, but I can't help but dig. She always does with me anyway. 

Johnny Storm recently joined the New York Avengers as their new quarterback, taking over from Steve Rogers. I swear everyone's still in mourning at his retirement, especially Curtis who's a big football fan. I've met Steve once at a race, his wife is a fan of my music so I guess I'm happy that at least he knows who I am. Johnny however? I know barely anything about him, other than they call him 'torch' as a nickname because he's like fire on the field. 

Cressida almost chokes on her drink. "Like fuck I have, I literally went out with some girlfriends for a night out and he was in the same club as we were. We didn't even leave together". She looks into her drink. "Besides...I have a type, and he's not it". 

I lean forward a little more with interest. "Are you seeing someone?" 

Cressida's face kind of changes expression, but in some ways doesn't. "Kinda...but - I dunno, it's complicated". 

"Why?" I frown. 

"He's older than me, and my dad knows him so I don't think he'd like it if he found out. Plus I'm in the public eye and the guy in question isn't one for having every aspect of his life playing out in front of the cameras". She sighs, "Part of me wants to continue doing the show, but the other part of me doesn't wanna ruin something that could be good for the sake of everyone else's entertainment". Cressida looks away and I smile weakly. 

"I get it". 

She nods at this. "Least you can escape somewhat. Paps always find me". 

"You wanna hear about the douchebag that I ran into today?" 

"Go on". 

This will cheer her up. "So I forgot my pass when I went to see Curtis, then this guy with a stache refuses to let me into the paddock, and he didn't even know me - luckily Curtis came out and sorted it but urgh! Like, does this guy not even live in this world? How the fuck can you not recognise my face". I point to myself aggressively, once again the pent up anger has unleashed and does every time I think about it. 

"I dunno, but it must have been refreshing". Cressida shrugs and then sees my face. "Oh c'mon! Don't tell me that you didn't appreciate someone not recognising you for one second? When's the last time you were able to walk down the street without anyone hassling you?" 

I honestly don't know. 

"I don't know". I now admit quietly. 

"Well, maybe he's got a shitty music taste - but forget him, it's not like you're gonna see him again, so let's get another drink and get wasted enough to not remember what we even talked about tonight". 

Now that sounds like my kinda night. 

**

My head hurts. 

Everything hurts. 

Monaco is basking in sunshine though and as I try to make myself not look like a total dumpster fire, I head up to the deck to nurse my hangover - although the bile rises up when I see my father sitting there at the table with none other than Lloyd fucking Hansen. 

"And there she is". Dad says as he notes my current state. "Cressida still asleep?" 

She took one of the guest cabins. 

"Yep". I manage to get out without throwing up. The gentle bobbing of the yacht on the water isn't helping matters either. "Stache". I nod my acknowledgement to him. 

"Heavy night, cupcake?" Lloyd muses. 

I glare and sit down, putting my sunglasses on. "What's he doing here anyway?" 

"I was actually drawing up a contract with Lloyd to enlist his services when it comes to your security". Dad starts and I immediately get up and hurl over the side of the boat. Great. This is the last thing I need. 

"And yes, that was personal". I say as I sit back down, willing my stomach to settle. 

Lloyd pushes his glass of whisky towards me and I immediately push it back. "I forgot you're an espresso girl". He smirks and downs the contents of the glass. 

"Is that supposed to be funny?" I raise an eyebrow from behind my sunglasses. This guy clearly has had to google me after yesterday and found my latest song. 

"Anyway". Dad now diverts us back to the matter at hand. "I've just signed an agreement with Lloyd that from now, he and his team will be your personal security. He's got a big enough company to continue covering the F1 races". 

Time to announce my early retirement from the music industry. 

Meanwhile, Lloyd is clearly enjoying every moment of this and sits back to relax on his chair. 

"Looks like we're gonna be seeing a lot more of one another cupcake". 

"It's Bronte". I huff but decide that I can't be bothered to argue about this with the state I'm in. My hungover self is confident that I can handle a guy like Lloyd Hansen, I'm just not sure whether my sober self will be able to tolerate him. 

Lloyd nods at this. "Very well, Bronnie", knowing this nickname will piss me off. 

Nope. Sober self will be burying him very soon.