Shouts sounded behind them.
He patted her strawberry-scented hair as her smell helped block out the stench of gunpowder.
From both sides of the church foyer, Secret Service came out of the funeral with guns drawn. Alice shook. He held her tight as he called, "Bullet came from outside."
At least he hadn't given back his gun or badge yet, as his training was why he was wore his weapon.
One of the agents had his finger to his ear as he answered, "We have two Presidents to protect. Our men are en route."
Alice trembled in his arms and he rocked her to keep her calm. This was his fault. No one would get to her. In the security mirror, near the entrance, he saw she was pale. "Can I take her to sit down?"
One of the men in sunglasses said, "I need to see identification."
Her lips shook. "My license is in my purse, John."
No one should scare her like this. He'd have to find out who did this. John nodded, but held her waist to keep her close as he opened his jacket to reveal his FBI badge. "She's with me. She was almost shot."
The men with the guns pointed at them held their weapons higher and let them pass. He took her toward one of the rooms to the back and away from the funeral. Alice stayed in his arms as she followed. She stayed close until he closed a side door. Then she blinked, tried to stand taller, and swallowed. "Who shot at me?"
His heart constricted in his chest. He had no idea how much to reveal. He couldn't tell her that this was a threat against him. "Could be anyone."
She took his bicep in both of her hands. "Did you see a laser on my face? I thought I saw a red light."
"Yeah. It's why I dragged you in my arms."
Her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity and fear. Her cheeks grew red. "Your skills as an agent were spot-on perfect."
"No, that wasn't what happened. I was lucky."
She shook her head, placed her palm to forehead like she recalled the feel of the red laser, and then closed her eyes. "Wow. I'll be fine. It was probably someone trying to shoot the President."
She walked away from him, and he reached out to keep her close. Again the smell of strawberries played in his throat. "They almost shot you."
Her face went pale as she stiffened. "That doesn't make any sense. I'm not the President. I'm no one important."
His hands froze on her back as he realized he had to tell her. He gazed into her eyes, wishing he didn't have to reveal his true feelings. "Someone threatened to kill anyone I loved."
Her lips parted. "What? I still don't qualify. You don't love me."
John let her back away as his spine stiffened while he waited to be knocked out from a punch he had no power to stop. What he said sounded extreme, but his heart knew the truth. He promised himself that no one was going to hurt her because of him. "Just now. On national television? We appeared close."
She frowned. "So someone thinks you love me?"
It shouldn't be that hard for her to believe that he had feelings. He took a deep breath and steered the conversation back to the point. "We need to focus on your safety."
Her arms stayed at her sides as her eyes grew wider. "What about my family?"
Alice should think more about herself. He nodded. "I'll keep a patrol at your parents' farm."
She shook her head like it wasn't enough. "They have to be safe."
As she wasn't a fan of his family, he wouldn't mention the Morgans had their own security that rivaled any government run organization. By staying out of sight, no one should go after her parents. John crossed his arms so he'd not attach himself to her. "You're the primary target. They'll go to them if they can't get to you, but you have to be kept out of sight."
"That wasn't very reassuring."
"I don't know how to soften my words or lie to you."
"My mother pretty much hates your family."
