A Harmless Little Ruse (Harmless #2)(36)

“How well do you know Marshall?”

The question catches him off guard. “What?”

“How well do you know him?” I stare at the back of the door.

“Since college days. We were in the same fraternity.” His eyes narrow. “Why? Do you know something about him I need to know?”

This is why Harry has gotten as far as he has. A lesser man would become angry and defensive with my question. Not Harry.

He’s all matter-of-fact

“No, but this doesn’t make sense.”

“You’re clearly upset, and I understand -- ”

“No. Harry. This. Doesn’t. Make. Sense. My guys cleared the security angle. No one had a reason to take that picture in that exact moment.”

He rolls his eyes. “So you did plan this.”

“Yes.” Might as well admit it. What do I have to lose? “And that makes the picture in the newspaper more troubling. Marshall’s the one who came to you with it?”

“He’s my reputation management specialist. He’s the one who would.”

“Fine. But how close is he to Blaine’s camp? For God’s sake, Harry, you know that story about Blaine dating Lindsay is bullshit.”

“He took her to a dance when they were in high school, Drew. We have photos somewhere in an album at home. So does Blaine.”

I trawl my memory. I was a senior the year Lindsay was a freshman. We weren’t dating yet. “You’re basing my alleged stalker status on that pretense? That bullshit?”

“It doesn’t take much, Drew,” he says sadly, surprising me. The guy is cool as can be, always in a logical frame of mind, ever calculating. “It’s all about appearance.”

“You appear to be easy to manipulate, Harry. Marshall’s playing you.”

“You think he’s a plant?” I expect him to be angry, but he gets to the point.

“Don’t know. Getting rid of me makes sense on the surface,” I say, conceding the point. “Now that it’s all public and you’re worried about appearances. Your team can spin this.”

“Already has. It was an accident.”

“But if Blaine’s lying and claiming this is a grudge match over Lindsay, it just thrusts her into the limelight more.”

“Shit,” he grumbles.

“Right. Look. I’ll stay away – publicly.”

“Drew.” My name is a stretched-out growl.

“But there’s no f*cking way I’m leaving her alone.”

“You don’t trust Paulson and Gentian? Your own guys?” His eyebrow quirks, as if to say, And you let them protect my daughter?

“I’d trust them with the president.”

His eyebrows raise. “Good to know.”

“But I don’t trust anyone but me with Lindsay.”

Any other man would roll his eyes. Harry just blinks. “You sound like a lovesick puppy.”

I say nothing.

“You can’t tail her. You can’t be caught on camera.”

“Not a problem.”

“If Blaine’s somehow part of all this – and I still have my doubts – then whoever schemed to get that punch on camera is a step ahead of you.”

“Parallel to.”

“Excuse me?”

“Not a step ahead – they’re running parallel to me.”

“You’re splitting hairs.”

“I’m being precise.”

“I don’t authorize any of this.”

“You don’t have to.”

“And what about Lindsay?” he asks.

“What about me?”

We both pivot to find her in the doorway, dressed for a run, hair pulled back in a ponytail, face freshly scrubbed.

She’s glaring at Marshall, who looks at her like she’s an annoying little girl interrupting Daddy’s work as they both walk into the room, Lindsay edging him aside.

Before anyone can answer, she looks at the newspaper. Her eyes go wide and she whispers a curse word.

“What is going on, Daddy?”

Interesting who she chooses to ask.

“Your security detail was caught on camera punching a state rep,” Marshall answers.

“Are you my daddy?” she asks, her voice full of sugar but her eyes bleeding poison all over him. “If so, my mom has a lot to answer for.”

“Lindsay,” Harry barks. I can tell he’s horrified – and trying not to laugh. So am I.

“I’d like an answer from the man in charge,” she says, pandering to Harry, who knows it.

And smiles.

“Drew was caught on camera punching Blaine Maisri. We’re taking him off your security detail.”

“No!” she gasps. I can’t tell if she’s more upset that I was caught on camera or that I’m being removed.

“Paulson and Gentian can do a capable job of managing you. Their techniques will be different,” he says, casting a pointed look my way.

Lindsay blushes.

Huh. Didn’t know she could be embarrassed like that.

It’s cute. And if I weren’t consumed by being fired from the most important security detail of my life, I’d find it a little hot, too.