Guarding the Diplomat (Sapphic Security #8)

4. Hazel

Hazel

Iwas walking down the street in downtown Ottawa when I felt it – the unmistakable sensation of eyes on me. Eyes that were watching for a reason, and that reason wasn’t good.

I paused at a store window, pretending to look at the shoe display while I surreptitiously looked around for whoever was following me.

I didn’t see anyone, but I knew they were there.

A girl doesn’t grow up with Colm and Elizabeth O’Brian as parents and not learn to watch her six.

Colm and Elizabeth were always watching their six, because the thing about being crime lords was there was always some other criminal coming to take your place.

I’d evaded my parents for five years now, but I had the sinking feeling that they’d found me.

God only knew how. I’d changed my name, changed my hair, carefully avoided having a digital footprint.

Maybe I’d gotten cocky, accepting a job at Global Affairs Canada, knowing that I’d be photographed at diplomatic events.

Merde!

Blessed with a gift for languages, I could swear in at least ten of them, even though French was my favorite.

Picking up my pace, I kept to crowded areas as I made my way to GAC headquarters.

The building had some of the best security in the country.

I’d be safe once I got inside. I could have sworn that I heard someone call my name – my real name – as I entered the door and headed for the security line, but I didn’t break stride.

As I walked into the lobby I released a breath. I was safe. For now.

Still, I didn’t relax fully until I was safely ensconced in my office.

I needed to figure out a way to leave the office tonight that didn’t lead whoever was following me right to my apartment.

Unless they already knew where I lived… Damn it, I hated living like this.

Watching over my shoulder, afraid of my own shadow.

“Hazel, do you have a minute?”

I looked up as my boss Nicoletta rapped on my doorframe. Forcing a smile, I waved her in.

“Of course, come on in.”

“Henri is in the hospital,” she said without preamble. “He has a hot appendix.”

“Oh, that’s a shame. Are they going to operate?”

“Yes. He was supposed to attend the International Economic Conference in Seattle this week.”

I nodded. “Oh that’s right. Are you sending someone else?”

“We need to. As you know, the Americans are very touchy about things right now. We can’t risk irritating their State Department by not sending a delegate from each office.”

“Who’s going?” I asked.

“You.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Me? I’m just a junior diplomatic liaison.”

“Not anymore. The papers just came through for your promotion. You’re now a senior liaison, and your first assignment is to go schmooze with the other delegates in Seattle.”

Nicoletta gave me a wry smile. “I hear it rains all the time there. Be sure to bring a rain jacket and umbrella. The travel department is emailing you all the pertinent information as we speak. You leave tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes, is that okay?”

I nodded vigorously. Getting out of town was just the distraction I needed to figure out what to do about whoever was following me.

“It’s no problem.”

“Oh great. There’s just one other thing.”

“What?”

“We’ve hired you a bodyguard for the duration of your trip. They’ll pick you up from the airport and stay with you twenty-four seven until you’re safely back on Canadian soil.”

“Is that standard protocol?” I asked, surprised.

“It is now that we’ve had people having issues with American authorities.

We’ve had at least three staff members be…

,” she made air quotes, “accidentally detained while in the U.S. We’re hoping a U.S.

bodyguard will help keep you from getting swept up in anything and if you do, at least we’ll know what happened and be able to intervene quickly. ”

A bodyguard was perfect. I could mostly take care of myself, but I knew that my parents’ goons wouldn’t make a move on me when I was accompanied by some big burly man charged with my safety. At least I was pretty sure they wouldn’t…

“A bodyguard is fine.”