“She told me to get out and never come back.”
“Sounds like she was angry.”
“I’ve never seen her like that. Figured she was serious.”
“And you’ve stayed away ever since?”
“Yup.”
“You can thank me later.” Daemon shot him a grin.
Blaine growled and stood, taking his tablet with him. Daemon watched Blaine’s back until it disappeared into one of the back rooms. His friend would hate him until the job was over. He wished he could give Blaine an extra week in the Alps—to smooth it all over—but there wasn’t time. This contract had to start.
A few hours later, and a lot of reports read, Daemon sighed and leaned back in his chair. A stewardess came by and took his plate with a half-eaten steak and untouched vegetables. She offered to refill his tumbler, but he passed. There were still a few more reports he wanted to read before going to bed. He let his gaze drift over to Zuri, who had fallen asleep some hours ago. She stirred in the two-seater, her parted full lips opening wide in a yawn, legs uncurling and slipping over the side. From across the aisle, she sent him a lazy smile.
“Sleep well?” he asked her.
“It’s a very comfortable chair.”
“There’s a bed in your room.”
“I remember.”
So did he. He had almost kissed her in front of the door leading to that room. He wouldn’t have another opportunity to skirt that line. His energy waned.I should get some sleep while I can.
Her gaze went to the window and the darkness that filtered through the bottom half of the glass, half-covered by the shade. “Am I making the right choice?” she asked softly.
Daemon moved from his seat to the one in front of her. “You’re having second thoughts?”
She shrugged. “I dreamed about skiing in the Alps.” Daemon chuckled. “You put that thought into my head.”
“Not a bad idea.”
“No, it isn’t. It was a good dream. But just a dream.” She frowned. As she straightened in the chair, the fleece blanket fell from her shoulders and draped around her waist. She rested her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands.
Daemon reached over and kneaded her shoulders. “Whatever you want to do, I’ll make it happen.”
“Why?” she asked when she raised her head. “I fired you.”
“I’m used to it.”
“You’ll stay on as my bodyguard?” her voice held hope.
He shook his head, his heart dropping. “I’ll assign another agent to you. You like Archer, right? He might want to leave HQ for a while.”
Her shoulders sagged beneath his hands as her gaze fell away. “You have to start work with your father. I almost forgot.”
“You’ll have my number if you need to reach me. But Archer is an expert at what he does.”
“I trust him.”
“Then…you want to go to the Alps?”
She was quiet for a long moment. Then her eyes filled with moisture. “My father was the real leader. He knew what to say to people and how to make quick decisions.”
“Based on the activity on your social media, people are eager to follow you. The shares, the retweets. They’re loyal to you and the memory of your father. And you’ve always been quick to fire me. I’d say you’re a confident decision maker.”
She briefly smiled. “I’m grateful for the support. I’m going to need it.”
