Page 51 of Close Protection

I should be focusing on what George is saying but all I can think about is how I lied to her. I could’ve told her countless times why I was really here. The truth wasn’t that far from what she believed, but still. How’s she supposed to trust me, or trust anyone for that matter, if people are always lying to her – me included?

‘The Major in charge of the task force has been kept up to date on the situation through Milosh,’ George continues. ‘Working with Interpol, the FBI and the NCA they’ve beenbuilding a case against Daveeno and are waiting for the final missing pieces before they can make a move on them. With my help, and all the information I possess, they think they can shut it down. We just have to be patient.’

The room goes silent when George finishes speaking. Daphne and Teddy were the only ones in the dark about all of this.

‘Okay,’ she replies plainly before turning to face Teddy. ‘Teddy, you should stay here for now. You’ll be much safer.’

‘She’s right, Teddy. Please do stay,’ George seconds.

‘Okay, thank you, I really appreciate it.’ He smiles sincerely.

‘I’m going to let the staff know we’ve got another person staying with us,’ Amelia chimes in, standing up.

‘All right,’ George responds, walking to the door before looking over to Daphne. ‘Daph, are you all right showing Teddy to one of the guest rooms?’

‘Sure,’ she responds, glancing over at Teddy. ‘Where are your things?’

‘Just outside.’

‘Okay, let’s go.’

He opens the door for Daphne and she slips out first, but as he passes me I grip his bicep, holding him in place.

‘Careful, Ted. No touching,’ I warn, my voice low and measured.

He swallows once, readjusting his glasses before nodding and walking out.

The door closes softly and I turn back to a smiling Henry. ‘Glad to see there’s another Teddy hater in the house. Welcome to the club, Petrov.’

‘You don’t like him?’ I direct to Henry, a warm wave of satisfaction passing through me.

He shakes his head, leaning back into the couch. ‘Nah, not since I saw him trying to take pictures of Amelia every time she bent down to grab something. I took his phone to delete the photos and he had hundreds of them, with a few of Daphne as well. In the pool. So I broke his phone then I broke his hand.’

‘Good,’ I bite out.

‘Yeah.’ He nods pensively. ‘There’s something off about that boy, I just don’t know what.’

22Daphne

‘So… Milosh,’ Teddy says, as we make our way up the stairs.

‘Yeah, what about him?’

‘He’s a little intense, don’t you think? Not to mention he’s absolutely terrifying with his whole military task force thing.’

‘He’s notthatbad.’ I try to laugh when Teddy rolls his eyes dramatically, but all I’m thinking about is what I’ve just learned.

I feel like I should be sadder than I am right now.

Milosh isn’t a bodyguard. Okay, that’s understandable. I’m not over the moon that I didn’t know this but it doesn’t really make much difference to how things are going or have gone. And he was the person in the snug to start to tell me the truth. He’s been the one keeping me safe and I’m almost certain Daddy asked him not to say anything.

Daddy lied to me. Again.

Honestly, that’s kind of to be expected. I’m slowly growing numb to him and his lies, and at least now I know the truth.

My mother worked for MI6 and so did my father.

My parents are basically Peggy Carter and Howard Stark.