Page 62 of Duty Unbound

“Um, yeah. Late night,” I replied, grateful for the distraction.Last night’semergencyhad ended up being teenagers using a stolen employee ID to access Nova’s floor. They’d been reprimanded and sent on their way. Not a crisis, but it had kept me busy until dawn, running security checks and questioning hotel staff about their access protocols.

By the time I’d finished, I knew Mel would be preparing for this interview. I’d sent her a text:

Rain check. Soon.

Her reply had been simple:

I’m holding you to that.

“Those kids were determined,” Logan said, his voice pulling me back to the present. “Got to give them credit for creativity, using the service elevator like that.”

“Still a major security breach.”

“Already on it.” Logan scanned the surrounding area again. “New protocols being implemented at every hotel for the rest of the tour. I’m personally overseeing staff credentials and elevator access.”

I nodded, grateful for his efficiency. “Good. One less thing to worry about.”

With Logan handling the hotel security upgrades, I could focus on the bigger picture—and on Mel. The way her body had responded to my touch, the soft sounds she’d made when I?—

“Christ,” I muttered, shifting my stance to hide my body’s response to that particular memory trail. I needed to focus on something else. Anything else.

“How’s your sleep going?” I asked Logan, knowing his history with PTSD-induced nightmares.

He shrugged. “Four hours straight last night. Better than usual.”

“You taking anything for it?”

“Just managing it.” His tone made it clear the subject was closed. “Getting the job done, that’s what matters.”

I didn’t push. Logan was as reliable as they came, and if he said he had it handled, he did.

“Speaking of things that need handling,” he said, a ghost of a smile on his lips, “how’s it going with Mel?”

I shot him a look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Come on, boss. You think we haven’t noticed? The way you look at her when you think no one’s watching?”

I was saved from answering by Ty letting us know Nova was finished with her interview and on her way down. A couple minutes later, the doors to the television station swung open. Nova emerged first, her platinum hair catching the sunlight, a blazing smile on her face as fans erupted in cheers. Mel followed a few steps behind, tablet in hand, her professional mask firmly in place.

My chest tightened at the sight of her. She wore a simple navy dress that hugged her curves in ways that made my mouth go dry. Her hair was pulled back in that no-nonsense style she favored for business events, but I knew how it looked cascading around her shoulders, how it felt wrapped around my fingers.

“Showtime,” Logan muttered, all traces of teasing gone as we snapped into security mode.

Nova immediately gravitated toward the barricade, where fans were screaming her name, camera phones raised. Ty and Logan flanked her. Mel headed straight for the waiting limousine, her eyes catching mine briefly—a flash of green that sent heat coursing through me before she quickly looked away.

Professional. We both needed to be professional right now.

I remained slightly behind Nova, a careful distance—closeenough to intervene if needed, far enough not to cramp her celebrity style.

“Nova, I love you!” a young girl shrieked, waving a poster frantically.

Nova beamed, leaning over the barricade to sign autographs and pose for selfies. This part of her job genuinely seemed to energize her. Unlike the security protocols she chafed at, fan interaction was where Nova thrived.

“Thank you all for coming, New Orleans!” she called out, her voice carrying over the excited chatter. “Can’t wait to see you at the show tonight!”

Everything was going smoothly until it wasn’t.

A blur of movement caught my eye—a young man vaulting over the barricade, breaking through our security line. He reached for Nova, his hand outstretched.