Darcy tightened her grip on her umbrella handle, ready to turn and walk away. But before she could move, a strong arm materialized from the shadows, wrapping possessively around her waist. Startled, she followed the line of the muscular arm upward. It was Jethro. She stared, dumbfounded. "You... didn't you leave?" She'd seen his car drive away moments ago. Why was he back? The arm around her waist tightened. Jethro's face, which had been stormy, softened into a gentle smile. "I was worried about you." Zane was stunned to see Jethro. But when his eyes registered the intimate, protective hand resting on Darcy's waist, his mind went blank. A crimson haze of denial flooded his vision.No. No way! Darcy couldn't be with someone else. Not so soon. It hadn't even been a year. She couldn't have moved on that fast! Besides, a family like the Blackwoods would never accept a woman of Darcy's ordinary background. She was always so rational. She would know that. She wouldn't make the same mistake again. The rain blurred his sight. Shivering from cold and shock, his lips trembling, Zane stammered, "Mr. Blackwood, wh-what are you doing here?" Jethro chuckled softly, as if the question were absurd. His lips curved. "Escorting my girlfriend home, of course. Also, Mr. Vance, just a reminder—harassing someone's fiancée is against the law." It was as if Zane's spine had been ripped out. His single kneeling posture collapsed; he fell forward, both knees hitting the wet ground. His face drained of all color. "Impossible..." he whispered, the word a broken mantra. "That's impossible... She can't be your fiancée. Darcy is mine... she's mine..." Mumbling incoherently, he staggered to his feet. Jethro's expression turned sharp in an instant. He pushed Darcy firmly behind him, shielding her with his body. But Zane didn't attack. Instead, he turned and stumbled blindly into the curtain of rain, lurching toward a car parked in the distance. Exchanging a look with Jethro, Darcy let out a shaky breath, a hand pressed to her chest. "He scared me. I thought he was going to get violent." Jethro watched Zane's retreating figure, recalling the man's unhinged expression. A deep frown creased his brow. "Don't be alone with him again. Don't see him." He paused, then added, "In fact, I'm assigning you a security detail for your commute, effective tomorrow." Darcy couldn't help laughing. "That's a bit much." "Aren't you upset with me?" Jethro suddenly asked, his gaze searching hers. Darcy was taken aback. "Upset? About what?" Jethro rubbed the back of his neck. "About revealing our real relationship." A warm smile spread across Darcy's face. He still remembers that. "Of course not. But—" She bit her lip, feigning annoyance. "We're only dating. 'Fiancée' is jumping the gun. Don't say that again." Jethro pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Mm," he murmured softly. Then he explained, "It's not that I don't trust you, or that I think you still have feelings for him. And I wasn't trying to show off. I just..." He sighed. "He ticked me off so bad I lost my cool. It just slipped out. I won't do it next time. I'll keep myself in check."Darcy wrapped her arms around his waist, her hands soothing circles on his back. "It's okay. If you lose your cool, you lose your cool." Jethro's eyes lit up. Was she saying...? "Darcy," he ventured, his tone suddenly shifting to something hopeful, almost pleading. "Can I get early tenure as your official boyfriend?" Darcy couldn't help but laugh, giving his arm a playful pinch. "Look at you, pushing your luck the moment I give you an inch." His hopeful expression didn't waver. "So... can I?" Darcy looked at him, a mix of affection and exasperation on her face. She scratched her head lightly. "Let me think about it." Nothing else was a big deal. The real snag was her mother at home, who kept objecting. When Darcy pushed open her apartment door, Ione was on the couch watching TV. A simple dinner of four dishes was laid out on the table."Oh, honey, you're so late today! I called and called, but you didn't pick up!" Darcy fished out her phone. Sure enough, several missed calls from her mother. She went over and hugged Ione's shoulders. "Sorry, Mom. I had a meeting and forgot to turn my ringer back on. Didn't mean to worry you." "Silly girl, you don't have to apologize to your mom." They sat down to eat, chatting easily. Ione placed some food on Darcy's plate, then asked carefully, "Did you run into anyone on your way back?" Darcy's hand stilled. She blinked. "Anyone?" Her heart began to race. Did Mom see me hugging Jethro? She set her fork down, taking a deep breath. Maybe this was the moment to come clean. Her mother would understand."Mom, actually—" "Oh! You didn't see Zane?" Their voices overlapped, speaking in unison.