“How did you know—” She cut her words off. “I should have known. Nobody holds out against the senator.”
Jake nodded. “Your father pulled some strings in the police department. Apparently he has someone feeding him information when it comes to anything about you. He knew about this morning’s package within an hour of you reporting it.”
Her sigh was part frustration, part resignation. “He loves me. But he can’t accept that I don’t need his protection. He wants me to move home.”
“It’s not a bad idea. He’s bound to have better security than that apartment building you live in.”
“I’m not running home to Daddy just because I have a problem.”
“Then you’ll stay with my sister and me. You need round-the-clock protection. Our security is so tight that a mouse couldn’t get in without us knowing about it.”
Dani lifted her chin and looked him directly in the eye. She didn’t flinch at the hard-eyed stare he gave in return but held his gaze with boldness and shining courage. “Let’s get one thing straight—I’ll put up with you following me around, but only for my father’s sake. He isn’t well, and I won’t cause him another moment of distress.” Her voice hitched a little. “He had a heart attack last year. He doesn’t need any more stress.”
Jake understood family obligation, but he heard genuine love for her father in her voice and felt an unexpected moment of accord with her. Although she was angry with her parent, she’d accepted Jake as a bodyguard to soothe her father.
That feeling of accord evaporated with her next words.
“Do you know what it was like while I was growing up? I didn’t go to school like the other kids. I was driven by a chauffeur. I had two bodyguards hulking in the shadows.” In a gesture similar to his own, she pushed a hand through her hair. “I was never invited to birthday parties. Or anywhere else. I never had a second date, because the boys who asked me out couldn’t face being followed everywhere we went.” She drew herself up. “I don’t like being followed. Or manipulated. Or being treated like some fragile little girl who can’t take care of herself.”
“Poor little rich girl.” He didn’t bother masking the contempt in his voice. He wondered what she’d think of the way he’d grown up, fighting his way out of the slums with nothing but his fists and a fierce determination to make a better life for himself and Shelley.
Her head jerked up. At the same time, her expression went smooth as glass. He could see her rebuild a mask of composure, layer by painstaking layer. “Think what you want.”
The words were said with a studied lack of concern, but he heard the pain behind them. He had no desire to hurt her, but he wasn’t willing to back down from doing his job.
“I have a job to do,” he said, as though to reinforce his thoughts...and his resolve. “It’ll be a lot easier if you cooperate. But I’m here to stay.” To prove his point, Jake cupped her elbow and steered her to his Jeep.
“Have it your way.”
“I usually do.”
Copyright © 2014 by Jane M. Choate
ISBN-13: 9781460341278
TUNDRA THREAT
Copyright © 2014 by Sarah Varland
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