Chapter Two #2
“Oh Luke, I’m teasing you. You’ll have to get used to that, too. If we’re stuck with each other’s company, I’d much rather you make me laugh than spend the whole day with a stick up your ass.” She looks over at me then. “Oops. Are they listening right now?”
My lips curve up. “No, ma’am. I have to press this button when I want to talk to the team.”
“Oh. Well, that’s something. I don’t want them listening to me every time I insult you.”
“Should I expect lots of insults, then?”
“I would think so, wouldn’t you?”
I give a short laugh, keeping my eyes on the road.
She’s quiet for a bit, as I drive through the busy city center. Then, eventually, she says, “You’re Australian, aren’t you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“What were you doing in the New Zealand Defence Force? Couldn’t we find any actual New Zealanders to serve?”
“Apparently not.”
“How embarrassing.”
“I actually have joint citizenship,” I admit. “My father is Australian, but my mum is a Kiwi. They divorced when I was fourteen, and I moved back to New Zealand with her.”
“So she was the civilizing influence?”
“Some would say barely.”
She chuckles. “Why’d you leave the army?”
Irritated at being grilled, I don’t answer, concentrating on navigating a busy intersection.
Eventually, she says, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t intrude.”
Surprised that she apologized, I clear my throat. “It’s okay, I’d rather not talk about it, that’s all.”
In my ear, someone says, “Luke?”
I press the button. “Receiving.”
“What?” Aurelia says.
“Just wanted to say something,” Stacy says, and then half a dozen voices start singing Happy Birthday.
I laugh. “Thanks, guys.”
“Thanks for what?” Aurelia asks.
“They’re singing me happy birthday.”
She stares at me. “It’s your birthday? Today?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh…” Her expression softens. “In that case, would you like a coffee on me?”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I know. I’d like to.”
I glance at her. She has the most beautiful eyes. “Uh, yeah, okay, thank you.”
“What kind?”
“Latte, please.”
“I’ll order them.” She taps on her phone, then puts it down again. “So what exciting things do you have planned for your big day?”
“You mean apart from being insulted by my principal?”
“I’m your principal?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Earlier you said ‘Eagle’s on the move.’ Is that my codename?”
“No, ma’am. It was a joke.”
“It’s hard to tell when you’re joking.”
“I understand. I’m very dry.”
She huffs through her nose. “Do I have a secret codename, though?” I hesitate, and she obviously spots it. “What is it?”
“If I tell you, it won’t be a secret.”
“Luke! You have to tell me.”
It doesn’t matter if she knows, and I want to see her response. “It’s Princess.”
Her eyes widen. “Princess?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She surveys me, and when I glance at her, I can see the indignation in her eyes. “Because you think I’m a spoiled brat, right?”
It was exactly the description in my mind when I’d come up with the codename, and so I don’t answer.
“Charming,” she says. “You were insulting me before you even knew me.”
I slow the car, then pull into a space not far from the Bean Café. “It wasn’t meant as an insult. It was in reference to Princess Merida from Brave.” I gesture at my hair and mime lots of curls before I put the handbrake on.
“How do you know who Princess Merida is?”
“I have two nieces.”
She gives me a wry look, opens the door and gets out, then bends to look back in, but I’ve already unclipped my button and got out too. “You don’t have to come with me,” she states as I walk around the car.
Ignoring her, I say, “Please stay here a moment, ma’am.
” Leaving her standing there in astonishment, I walk down to the café, open the door, and go inside.
I scan the premises, automatically looking for other exits before I check out the customers.
It’s busy, with most of the tables filled, and a queue of people standing, waiting to be served.
“I’ve already ordered.” Aurelia appears beside me.
I glare at her, but she’s already moving to the place on the counter where coffees are collected. Spotting a guy on his own in the queue who watches her pass, I go with her and stand between her and him to block his view.
I look down at her as she picks up the coffees.
She’s so tiny and slender. It’s no wonder she draws the eye of every guy she passes.
I watch her tease the two young men serving behind the counter, both of whom flush and laugh in response.
She doesn’t seem to realize how beautiful she is and what kind of effect she has on men. Or what animals so many of them are.
As she turns with the cardboard carry tray, I steer her to my other side as we walk out.
“For God’s sake,” she says irritably, marching back to the car. “This is ridiculous. It’s Auckland, not Washington D.C., and I’m hardly famous or anything. You have to lighten up.”
I unlock the car and open the door for her, and she slides into her seat. I close the door and walk around the car, checking to make sure nobody’s following, then get in and close the door.
“Okay,” I say, turning in my seat. “Let’s get a few things straight.
First, your safety is my top priority. I appreciate that it might be frustrating for you, but I’ve been hired to protect you, so that’s what I’m going to do.
This means that I go into any room or building before you, and you don’t come in until I signal it’s all clear. Understand?”
She just stares at me.
“I’ll remain as distant from you as possible,” I state, “but there will be times when I want you on the other side from me, away from the road or from anyone suspicious I’ve spotted. So you can get used to me manhandling you from time to time.”
Her jaw drops.
“The more you do as I say,” I conclude firmly, “the easier it will be for both of us.”
She lifts an eyebrow. “Then it’s not going to be easy at all.” She clips in her seat belt. “Please start the car. I don’t want to be late.”
I set my jaw, glaring at her profile. She ignores me and studies her phone.
Gritting my teeth, I buckle up, start the car, clip the button onto my belt, and press it.
“Princess is on the move,” I say, smirking as she makes an exasperated noise in the back of her throat, and I steer the car into the traffic.
I knew she’d led other agents a merry dance, but I hadn’t expected her to be quite as much trouble as this. I’m going to have my work cut out.
It’s the first time I’ve been a close protection officer.
I’m not sure I would have taken on the role, but Marcus was desperate, worried, and convincing, and in the end I agreed mainly as a favor to him.
Part of me regrets it. But I’m not a quitter, and it’s clear to me that this girl needs me, even though she’s convinced she doesn’t.
She might be determined to rebel, but I’m just as determined to keep her safe.
It’s my job. It has nothing to do with the growing sense of responsibility I feel toward her.
Or the fact that I’m beginning to suspect she’s not at all who I thought she was.