Executive Protection(71)

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Wiping the tear that tickled down her cheek, Lucy saw Kate peeking out her bedroom door. She waved Lucy to come inside. Wondering what she was up to, Lucy went into Kate’s spacious master suite.

“You poor thing.” Kate shut the door.

“I’m moving home in the morning.”

“No. I was about to tell you something when we ran into Thad.” She took Lucy’s hand and led her to the sitting area before the windows, a lamp on the table between softly lighting the room.

Lucy sat down, tired and sad.

“I know he loves you, Lucy.”

Love? “Oh, I don’t—”

“I know my son. He’s in love with you. Why do you think he’s been avoiding you?”

“He’s afraid I’ll drag him to the altar.”

“He’s afraid that’s exactly what he wants. He’ll come to his senses eventually. But I have an idea that might speed up his decision process.”

Lucy lifted her brow. Politicians could be wily, but what did Kate have in mind?





Chapter 18


Thad came down to grab some dinner before he met Darcy to work the investigation. That had kept him away the past few nights. He hadn’t had many encounters with Lucy, and those he had were benign. In fact, she didn’t seem to mind the distance between them, which had made him relax. He no longer felt cornered. His mother told him she’d gone to see her parents one night, and then met some friends another. He may have been apart from her, but he was still concerned for her whereabouts.

Lucy sat on the bench in the big window across the kitchen, cell phone in hand, a partial smile sneaking up her mouth. She was texting someone. And not one of her friends...

Thad kept his eye on her as he took out everything he needed to make a sandwich. Servants were busy cooking for the rest of the household, and he declined assistance in getting something to eat sooner.

Lucy stood from the bench and put her phone down on the kitchen island close to where he stood putting ham and cheese on some wheat bread. The screen was still illuminated, and he saw the texts.

See you at seven was the last one.

“Going somewhere tonight?” Was she back on her online dating site?

“Dinner.”

When she turned her back to pour iced tea into a glass, he picked up her phone and opened her browser.

“With a girlfriend?” He froze as he looked down at the dating site, which was open to the last screen she’d used, one where she’d responded to a man who was interested. She’d given [email protected] her cell number. That was who she’d just been texting.

Lucy snatched her phone from him.

“TakeYouToTheMoon?” What man would call himself that on an online dating site?

“His name is Matt.”

Thad clamped down his rising ire. He had no right to be angry. He’d turned away from her. But how could she start dating again so soon?

“Didn’t you learn from your last experience that online dating is dangerous?” he asked instead.

“That was one instance.” Carrying her phone and the glass of tea, she left the kitchen and Thad standing there with everything male in him against her going out on a date. A date, for God’s sake!

Yanking his phone out of its holder, he called Darcy.

“You’re on your own tonight,” he said.

“What? Why?”

“Lucy’s going out on a date.” He disconnected before Darcy could comment and then went to wait for Lucy. She’d ensconced herself in her room with the door locked.

An hour and a half later, Thad paced outside Lucy’s room. She sure was taking her time getting ready. He heard her on the other side. Finally, she opened the door.

“What are you—” He stopped short when he saw her. She wore a dark red dress that dipped low in front and exposed her knees. He’d never seen her in anything that sexy.

“I thought you were going on another stakeout with Darcy tonight,” she said.

Was she hoping he wouldn’t find out her plans for the evening? “You’re not going anywhere in that.” The thought of another man enjoying her dressed that way made him crazy.

“What gives you the right to tell me what I can and can’t do?”

He didn’t understand why her going out on a date bothered him so much. He couldn’t give her what she was after, so why stop her?

She didn’t wait for him to respond. Walking down the hall, she headed for the stairs. The dress hugged her curves, hips rocking, legs going on for a mile and arms swinging with a tiny purse in one hand.

He followed her. “Lucy, don’t go.”

“Don’t go? Why not?” She stepped down the stairs, and he kept up with her.

What claim did he have on her? He’d turned away. He knew that. He felt foolish for trying to stop her, but something compelled him, something strong.

She left out the side entrance, where he saw his mother’s driver waiting. At least Lucy wasn’t going without protection. His mother’s driver was a Secret Service agent.

Operating on an emotion he refused to name, Thad went to his Charger and began to follow the car. All the way to the restaurant where she must have agreed to meet her date, Thad questioned why he was doing this. He had no answer. He only knew nothing would stop him.