“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’tseem 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.
