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Two kisses and I was a goner. After her scare, I’d nearly broken my neck to reach her, and ever since, my damn heart hadn’t calmed. I didn’t understand the overwhelming need I had for the lass, but I was certain I couldn’t protect her if I didn’t have my head on straight.
“By the way,” Gabe continued. “I saw Daisy at the hangar earlier, and she asked when you’d be back. Not sure why.”
I wiped the sweat from my brow. “Not sure myself. I’ll give her a call.”
If anything, I wanted to stay longer. The novelty of being in the city for a few days was fine, but I was over the traffic and the pollution. Over the multiple sources of danger for the woman I needed to protect. In a few days, that matter would be taken care of for me; her missing team member would reappear, and I would no longer be needed. I had half a mind to convince Riss to keep me on.
My phone beeped, and I pulled it from my ear to see the team leader calling.
“I’ve got another call coming in. Catch ye later,” I told my brother and switched to answer her.
Riss’s clipped tones had me sitting up taller.
“I read through your message about the incident at the palace last night. I’ve also spoken to the head of security and had a full debrief. But there’s one question I have still unanswered.”
I’d tried to speak to her this morning, but she’d been on another job. “Shoot.”
“Why were you there?”
“I wasn’t. I was talking to Alex when she heard something that made her think someone was near.”
A pause followed, and she made a sound of disbelief. “Alex? You mean Princess Alexandra. Why didn’t you contact me?”
“We’re friends. I was already?—”
“Friends? Since when? You’re required to disclose that.”
I heaved a breath. “We knew each other a long time ago. It wasn’t worth disclosing when I started as we weren’t speaking. We really only have been for a few days.”
“Right. In a matter of days you’ve moved on to late-night phone calls.”
Her disbelief played out loud and clear.
I scowled. “It’s the truth. Alex can tell ye the same.”
“Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra,” she put emphasis on the title, “requires her team to be above reproach. I can’t have someone working for me who’s keeping secrets.”
“It isn’t a secret. I told ye I was there. Ye know everything that happened,” I argued, standing from the bench and the shelter of the riverside trees.
“I can’t trust that that’s true. I head up the team and am responsible for what goes on within it. Do you understand where that leaves me? I have no choice but to keep you on for this evening, but after that, you can consider your temporary position with us over.”
I swore under my breath. How the fuck could I argue the point when she was entirely correct? I’d kissed Alex, and that breached any protocol for a bodyguard. At the same point, Icouldn’t regret it. Not when the memory was tattooed to the beat of my heart.
But fuck it. If I wasn’t guarding Alex anymore, that’s all our time together could be. A memory.
“I understand. But for the love of God?—”
The line went dead. She’d disconnected.
My stomach dropped. I’d meant to say to look for the mole in the team, but I’d already told her this. Tonight, I’d reiterate it, then I’d leave.
This time, it seemed, for good.
Alex: Tell me again why you’re worried that someone on my team is leaking my information.
She was one car ahead and dressed in an outfit that had me wanting to fall to my knees. I’d taken one look at her in her sleek dark-green dress and had to divert my gaze. Straight into finding Riss staring at me.
I’d never had a poker face.