AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She stands abruptly, nearly knocking the chair over as she rises. She walks over to the door but doesn’t open it. I stand but don’t approach her. She’s processing a lot, and the last thing I want to do is crowd her. I wait silently.
When she speaks next, her voice is lower. “I didn’t know I needed to be looking over my shoulder. I didn’t know I needed to worry. I never thought this would happen to me. I guess no one does.”
She turns back to face me, and I wait another moment before I respond.
“You shouldn’t have to. And no, I don’t think anyone ever thinks it’ll happen to them. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, Nora. But I’m here to help.”
I want to comfort her because of the desperate look on her face. The warmth in my chest flaring with the need to make it better.
“I know you are. I want this fucker caught, and I want my life back. I won’t let this ruin my career!” Her voice is fierce, but I know her anger isn’t directed towards me.
“I won’t let that happen.” We don’t know each other, and she probably doesn’t trust me yet, but I hope that changes in time.
Her fierce eyes meet mine. “What’s the plan? I need to know how much your presence will change my day-to-day routine.”
“Your routine won’t change. I will integrate myself into your schedule. You want to go out with a friend? Great. Let me know so I can make arrangements beforehand, but I won’t stop you from living your life.”
Her shoulders immediately relax at my words. Having a bodyguard isn’t a normal, everyday occurrence for most people. They don’t know what to expect, how to navigate having me around.
“You’re in charge here. Not me. You may not have hired me, but you might as well have. You’re the boss. All I ask from you is a full update on your schedule and proper notice if anything changes so I can adapt. I also need you to listen to me when I make a suggestion.”
“That’s it?”
“It’s that simple. I go where you go. I scope the places out. I examine who I can vet before you get there, and in the background, I feed intel to our PI so he can track this guy down from his end. My number one priority is to keep you safe. Point blank.”
Her incredulous expression brings a gentle smile to my lips. “I’m on your team, Nora.”
“You’re on my team?” she asks quietly.
I nod. “I’m on your team.” My promise seems to finally sink in as she lets out a heavy sigh.
“Let’s catch this bastard.”
I smirk. “I plan on it.”
Chapter 6
SJ
“Hi, I need the closest room to 602 that you have,” I say to the hotel front desk clerk. I like to have all this sorted before I arrive. However, because this assignment was so last minute, it was left until I could get here.
If the clerk thinks my request is a little odd, he doesn’t comment on it. “We have a room three doors down.”
I’m already shaking my head. Three doors is much too far. “No, no. I need something closer. Preferably next door, but I’ll take right across the hall.”
He taps away on the keyboard for a moment. “I’m sorry, sir, we just don’t have anything that close.”
“Then we need to move Ms. Reyes to a room that has an empty room next to it, preferably with an adjoining door.” I didn’t want to have to move her, but we’re here for the next week or so. That’s too long of a stretch to have her where I can’t hear and see everything.
My request finally gets the clerk’s attention. His eyes snap up to mine, narrowing. “I’m sorry, sir, but we can’t change another guest’s reservations without their consent.”
I nod, expecting this. “I understand. You’re more than welcome to confirm with her independently. Ms. Reyes has extra security, which is me, for a private matter. Once you get the rooms situated, I’ll need to speak to the head of security for the hotel.”
I plaster on the friendliest smile I have in my arsenal and wait impatiently. I don’t need the added grief of the hotel fighting me, but it happens and is something we deal with.
He mumbles something about security under his breath as he picks up the phone. I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Nora’s number. I gave her my number right before leaving her room five minutes ago with strict instructions to not leave the room until I got back.
Me: Incoming. Hotel needs to confirm you’re cool with changing rooms…
