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I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. I knew it was going to be serious, but having strangers in my home and around me at all times is going to take some getting used to.
"I understand," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "And I appreciate everything you and the Enclave are doing to protect me."
Reeves nods curtly, his face a mask of determination. "We take our job seriously, Senator Ashford. Your safety is our top priority."
We make our way down the hallway in silence, and my mind wanders to thoughts of my home--the place where I've always felt the safest, the most comfortable.
But now, with strangers in my home and the threat of danger looming over my every move, I can't help but wonder if I'll ever feel truly safe again.
This is Solstice Bay...the good and the bad. I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for this job, when I was elected to the Senate. I knew it wouldn't be easy playing this historic role.
But it's still a privilege.
"If you're going to be staying at my house, I'm going to have to insist we go by first names," I say, smiling sadly. "Mine's Sloane...but you already knew that."
He chuckles, and little dimples appear in his freckled cheeks. He'scute; it's not often I think ACB agents are cute.
"Nathaniel," he says, "but my friends call me Nate."
"Nate," I echo. "Is that what we are? Friends?"
His smile widens; the dimples get deeper. "I sure hope so...Sloane," he says.
And that's how it starts.
Me, the agent...and the two men waiting in my office.
Together until this mess is resolved.
Friends.
Chapter two
Nate
WhenIgottheassignment to protect a senator, I fully believed I'd be following around some stuffy older man or woman...not this.
Notthe most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
I open her office door for her, scoping the place out before I usher her inside. My team is waiting: Milo Thorne, a beta intelligence operative, and Arjun Singhe, a strong, smart operative I know I can trust. I've never met Milo, but I've worked with Arjun a couple times and he's tough.
And it's not like I have any claim to Sloane--fuck, she would probably be pissed at the veryideaof that--but I feel this strange sense of possessiveness toward her as I watch the other guys take in the sight of her.
Fucking gorgeous.
Curly, espresso-colored hair in waves around her shoulders...blue eyes, red lips. The form of a woman who doesn't necessarilywork out, but probably does yoga. She's got soft curves like she doesn't hold back when she wants to eat, and I want to fucking touch those curves.
Is she really in danger from the ACB, or from me?
Who the fuck knows?
"Senator Ashford," I start. "This is Agent Milo Thorne, the intelligence operative who's been handling your case--and Agent Arjun Singhe."
Sloane puts her hand out to shake each of theirs, and I can see the way that Arjun reacts to her. His pupils dilate, his tongue flicking out to lick his lips. He's a good-looking guy--they both are--and I feel another toxic flicker of jealousy at the idea that she would be interested in one of them and not me.
"Please, it's Sloane," she says with a smile. "Is it alright if I call you Arjun and Milo? I was just telling Nate out in the hall that I'd prefer a first-name basis if you're going to be staying in my home."
I watch as Sloane's eyes dart over Arjun's muscular form, lingering on his biceps, and I clench my jaw. This is not what I need right now. I need to focus on protecting her and making sure she's safe from any potential threats.
