Hostage (Bodyguard #1)(60)

Kyle raised an enquiring eyebrow in Connor’s direction and saw a matching ink stain on his jacket. Connor gave a strained smile.

‘So what about the gunshots?’ Alicia asked, her cheeks flushing at the disclosure of her date.

‘His accomplice burst some balloons,’ the agent replied, pointing to the remains of one on the floor.

Letting the matter of their supposed date pass, Kyle showed Connor the ‘gun’. In the full glare of the gym lights, it was obvious that the weapon was a plastic toy.

‘Sorry, I thought it was real,’ said Connor, feeling an utter idiot. At the same time, he was glad it hadn’t been. Judging by the stain on Alicia’s dress, he’d have reacted too late to save her from a real bullet.

‘Easy mistake to make in the heat of the moment,’ replied Kyle. ‘Many of our agents have been fooled one time or another. You did the right thing by calling it in.’

‘I’m so angry with Ethan –’ began Alicia, glaring in his direction. Then she frowned. ‘What did you just say? Connor called it in?’

‘Erm … it’s just an expression we agents use,’ Kyle replied, quickly trying to backtrack.

Alicia glanced between the two of them, sensing there was something more to it than that. Then she noticed a tiny piece of skin-toned plastic protruding from Connor’s left ear. Her eyes widened in recognition. ‘Is that what I think it is?’

Connor discovered his covert earpiece had become dislodged during their escape. He pushed it back in and offered a sheepish grin.

‘What are you? My bodyguard?’ said Alicia, half-joking.

Connor said nothing. But she saw the truth in his eyes and her jaw dropped in disbelief.

‘You ARE!’ she exclaimed. ‘The son of a soldier … martial arts expert … your reactions to the gun … all this is starting to make sense …’

‘I can explain,’ said Connor. ‘It’s not what you think –’

Alicia held up her hand, stopping him.

‘I don’t want to hear. If this is true, then everything you’ve said to me is a lie.’ Tears of fury welled in her eyes as her anger at Ethan was now redirected towards Connor. ‘You’ve deceived me. Betrayed our friendship. Can’t I trust  anyone in my life?’

Her lower lip quivered and she began to cry. Connor reached out to her, wanting to explain that out of anyone he could be trusted. With her life.

‘Don’t touch me!’ she said, pushing him away. She turned to Kyle. ‘Take me home, right now.’

And, with not so much as a glance back in Connor’s direction, Alicia stormed out of the gym hall.





‘A buddy guard? Don’t make me laugh!’ said Alicia, curled up on the sofa in the Oval Office, surrounded by discarded tissues. ‘The Secret Service have gone too far this time.’

‘It was actually my idea,’ admitted President Mendez, sitting beside his daughter trying to comfort her.

‘WHAT?’ exclaimed Alicia, her hands balling into fists as she glared at her father. ‘You hired Connor?’

‘Please, honey, there’s no need to shout.’ He glanced towards his secretary’s door, hoping she couldn’t hear.

‘No need! I thought you of all people would understand. That’s what you’ve been saying anyway. Now I find out  you’re the one behind it.’

‘A buddyguard is for your personal safety,’ President Mendez explained, recognizing his wife’s fiery nature in their daughter. ‘In light of your recent escapades, the nightmare scenario is you getting kidnapped or shot at by some terrorist, criminal or crazed individual. So it was either that or upping the Secret Service protection. And I knew you wouldn’t want that.’

‘I didn’t ask for any of this,’ Alicia said, waving her hand dismissively around the Oval Office. ‘This is your dream.’

‘And you are an important part of that dream – my inspiration to make this a better world,’ insisted the President, taking her hand in his. ‘We’ve always said family comes first. And that’s true. But we’re the First Family too. And with that comes the necessity for Secret Service. I admit, it’s a real pain at times. But no price is too high to protect my family – especially you, my only child.’

Alicia pulled her hand away. ‘So you send someone to spy on me instead!’

President Mendez sighed. ‘Connor isn’t spying. He’s protecting you. As he’s proven tonight and last week when you ran into those low-life gangsters.’

Alicia bit her lip as she sought a suitable reply.

‘Don’t you realize he’s risked his life for you – twice?’

‘Yes,’ admitted Alicia, unable to meet her father’s eye. ‘But that’s not the point. I’m entitled to live a normal life.’

President Mendez nodded sincerely. ‘And I want you to have your freedom and your youth. I want you to have everyday experiences with friends your own age. But as my daughter that is a privilege, not a given.’

Alicia turned to him. ‘You may rule this country, but what right do you have to rule my life?’

‘It’s true I am the President of the United States, but first and foremost I’m your father.’