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And with that comment, I know I’m dismissed.
Great.I head upstairs to change out of my suit. I’m in my closet pulling on a pair of sweatpants when I hear a knock at my door. Quickly, I grab a T-shirt and pull it on before I answer it.
Layla’s father is standing at my door. “Can we talk?” he asks.
I nod. “Here? Or somewhere else?”
“Here is fine.” He walks into my room and closes the door behind him.
I’m immediately on alert. If he’s here to criticize me for having dinner with Layla—
“Jason,” he begins.
He’s pacing, which isn’t a good sign.
What if he fires me?
My chest seizes up tight and my heart pounds. I can’t lose this assignment. I can’t contemplate someone else taking my place, someone else being responsible for Layla’s safety.
Immediately, I go on the defensive. “I did the right thing tonight, Martin. You didn’t see Layla’s face when he called her a space cadet. It damn near broke her heart. Yes, I ran him off, and I’d do it again. He treated her like shit, and I won’t stand for that. I know you made me promise—”
“Jason.”
I stop my tirade and suck in a breath. Whatever’s coming is coming. I might as well brace for it. “Yes, sir?”
“Slow down, son.” He crosses the room to stand in front of the hearth and gazes up at an oil painting hanging over the mantle. It’s a portrait of a young boy and a German Shepard dog. “This is me when I was four, and that’s Goliath. He was my best friend. I loved him dearly. He died the year I graduated from high school. Broke my heart.” Martin turns to face me. “In many ways, you remind me of Goliath.”
His dog?That doesn’t sound good.
Martin laughs. “I meant that as a compliment, believe me. Goliath was the truest friend I ever had, and he was a real protector. Like you are.” He meets my gaze. “Jason, when we first hired you, Ruth and I extracted a promise from you.”
“You did, sir, and I assure you I have never once behaved inappropriately with Layla. I—”
He lifts his hand to cut me off. “Relax, son. We know that.”
“Then what—”
“My wife and I have noticed a change in our daughter since you signed on to her protection detail. We’ve seen herhappy. We’ve seen her smile and laugh. I’m not exaggerating when I say we don’t see her do those things very often.”
I watch him warily, unsure where this is going. Is he about to sack me, or give me a medal?
“Ruth and I have been talking, and we’ve decided to rescind that promise you made us.”
My brains slams to a halt. “I don’t understand.”
His lips quirk up in a small smile. “I’ll just spell it out, shall I? Ruth and I have come to the realization that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to our daughter. You make her smile and laugh—and those are things we cherish. And unless we’re greatly mistaken, you seem to enjoy spending time with Layla. You’re a good man, Jason. And that’s why we’re releasing you from your vow.”
Stunned, I stand there and stare at him, which only makes his grin bigger. “I’m not sure I follow.”
“Let me be very clear,” he says. “So there’s no misunderstanding. If you were to decide that you wanted to date our daughter, you’d have our blessing. Is that clear enough?”
“Yes, sir. Perfectly clear.”
Martin nods, seemingly satisfied. “All right then. Enjoy your evening.” And he departs from my room, leaving me in a state of shock.
Surely, I didn’t hear that right. My heart starts thundering as his words sink in.
Date our daughter. You’d have our blessing.
