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The next day, the two of them went out to a local diner—the least romantic place either of them could think of. It still felt like a blatant luxury, being out in public for something that wasn’t strictly work related.
They ordered and quickly got into a discussion about James’ physical therapy. There were several differing opinions from doctors that needed to be sorted through, and James was still on heavy painkillers and not in the best decision-making frame of mind.
The meal went too quickly for Elizabeth’s liking. After James, they moved on to an analysis of Elizabeth’s current campaign. Though Alex wasn’t officially part of the team, the fact that she was with Elizabeth twenty-four-seven made her as well informed as any of Elizabeth’s staff.
Things were going well on that front. She had gained a lot of sympathy after James’ shooting, and Elizabeth wasn’t above using that to her advantage.
They were just exiting the diner when a loud bang had Elizabeth spinning around, in time to see a rifle pointed at her from across the street.
She only saw it for a split second. It was almost immediately eclipsed by Alex’s hair as Alex tackled her to the ground.
Alex landed on top of her but didn’t stay there for long. She was up and running almost immediately, leaving Elizabeth shocked and bewildered on the sidewalk as her brain struggled to catch up with reality.
She saw Alex vanishing around a corner, in hot pursuit of her attacker. Elizabeth forced herself to move. There could be more of them. She had to get inside. Her hands were shaking almost too badly to dial 911.
What if Alex caught the shooter and he hurt her? She reminded herself that this was Alex’s job, but that didn’t stop her from worrying. If something happened to Alex because of her, she didn’t know how she could bear it.
James had only just gotten out of hospital and was still in a lot of pain. Elizabeth couldn’t stand to see someone else she cared for take a bullet for her, but it didn’t look like she was going to be given much of a choice in the matter.
“Hello? Hello, is anyone there?”
Elizabeth realized that she’d dialed 911 only to let her phone hang limply in her hand by her side. She quickly put it to her ear. “Yes, I’m here. I’d like to report a crime…”
Elizabeth stayed in the diner until the police arrived, as the 911 operator instructed. “Where’s Alex?” she demanded the moment officers walked through the door.
“Who’s that?”
“My bodyguard,” Elizabeth said through gritted teeth.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her.”
“Well then maybe you should be out looking for—"
“Lizzy!”
“Alex!” Elizabeth flew into Alex’s arms, clutching her tightly in a bone-crushing hug. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, I’m not hurt. I lost him, though. I’m so sorry, Lizzy. I managed to chase him for two blocks, but he lost me in an open-air market.”
“Those markets are the perfect places to vanish,” Elizabeth consoled.
“Still, I could have had him. This could all have been over.”
“It’ll never be over,” Elizabeth said carefully, fully aware of the dozens of people watching them. “Not really. As long as I keep fighting for the most vulnerable people in our community—which I will do until my dying breath—there will always be those who want to remove me. I’ll likely always need a bodyguard. Recent experiences have shown that much.”
“Of course.” Alex’s eyes flicked to their spectators and back. “You know I’ll always be here for you, Lizzy, watching your back.”
“Thank you, Alex.”
I love you.
She couldn’t say that, though, not here, not now. Elizabeth had been thinking it for a while, but she didn’t just want to say it. She wanted it to be perfect. She was fairly certain that Alex would say it back, but she couldn’t be entirely sure. When she did say it, she wanted it to be a grand gesture, or at least, as grand as was possible given their situation.
“Now, let’s give our statements and go home.”
Alex nodded her agreement.
Giving their statements took longer than Elizabeth had hoped, but eventually they were released. Alex was on high alert as they drove back, turning to check on every shadow. When they got home, she double and triple checked every room before allowing Elizabeth inside.
