“My darling girl was being her sweet self and trying to lookout for her old man, but I think Nathan has a few things to answer for,” her daproclaimed.“He seems to have a mistaken impression of how we handle clients atthis company.He’s a McKay-Taggart bodyguard, and the minute he agreed to takeher to work, she became his client.I’m going to talk to Tessa about hertraining protocols.”
“Oh, I think he’s treating her exactly like a client,” UncleIan said under his breath.
“Hypocrite.”Aunt Erin managed to say the word on a cough.
Daisy wasn’t sure what was going on, but she needed to getthe older generation off this particular topic as quickly as possible.“I amnot Nate’s client.We’re coworkers.”
“That’s right,” her da said with a firm nod.“There’s no wayI’m letting that youngster anywhere close to my Daisy.He doesn’t have theright experience, and it’s obvious to me he’s got some hormones to deal with.We’ve got a proper guard for you.A married, stable man.”
“Mae, I got your email.Brighton’s on his way in,” Uncle Iansaid, stopping in front of Mae’s desk.“Alex is downstairs dealing with theuniforms.Call down and give them a plate.I’m sure the feds will be here soon.It’s going to be a fun day.”
“Devi, love, would you run downstairs and ask Brian to joinus in the conference room?”her da asked.“And bring Tessa up, too.We need atwenty-four-seven watch on Daisy.We might need to bring in some more people.Ian, I’m going to move her to a safe house.”
That sounded terrible.“I don’t need a safe house.I want tostay at my place.”
Her father’s head shook.“Not happening.I’ll be honest, I’mthinking about shipping you straight to Damon.They can watch you at TheGarden.”
“Hey, Ian,” a masculine voice called out.“I was hoping totalk to you this morning.”
Liam sighed in obvious relief as Brian Langton walked in,saving Devi the trip downstairs.“Thank the heavens.Brian, let’s go to myoffice and we’ll talk about what we need to keep my Daisy safe.”
Langton was in his mid-forties, and he was about as basic asa guy his age got.He had a seemingly never-ending supply of khakis and poloshirts, all in neutral colors.He turned to her father, his face falling asthough this was exactly the situation he’d been trying to avoid.“I was… I was…Damn it.Liam, I’m not taking the assignment.”He looked Daisy’s way, anapologetic expression on his face.“It’s nothing against you, Daisy.You’re avery nice young lady, but I have three kids.My wife is a stay-at-home mom andhonestly, the insurance we have isn’t enough if… Well, if the inevitablehappens.”
What was he trying to say?“What does insurance have to dowith it?And what’s inevitable?”
Devi leaned in, whispering.“I think he thinks he’s going todie.”
Brian frowned and turned to Ian.“Look, boss, I like my job,but I like my life more.Daisy O’Donnell is trouble.Send me to protect like amobster or something.Anyone but her.”
Rude.No one had ever died around her.Well, there had beenone time, but it hadn’t been her fault.
Her father stepped up to her side, his eyes narrow.“It’sgood to know that now, ain’t it?I’ll protect her myself.I’ll have us on aplane to London in no time.We’ll hole up at The Garden, you and me and yourmum.”
“For how long?”Aunt Erin asked.“Because I don’t know ifyou’re aware, but the wheels of the American justice system can grind slowly,my friend.Should I pack up your house?Let Serena know she’s losing herassistant?”
Her mother loved her job.She ran the business portion ofSerena Dean-Miles’s publishing company.It only published Serena’s books, butthere was a lot of work to do.And the conference season was about to start.
“Of course we’re not going to England.”She wasn’t gettinghauled out of the country.This whole thing was spiraling out of control.“Da,we need to be reasonable about this.”
Her father’s jaw went stubborn, his emerald eyes as hard asstone.“You just got shot at, girl.Don’t you think for a second I’m going tobe reasonable about that.And if our bodyguards ain’t up to the task, then I’llfind me own.I’m sure Damon’s got some good people.”
“Li, come on,” Ian said with a long sigh.“I know you’reworried, but we need to stay calm.”
“Stay calm?What would you do if your girls were being shotat?”her da asked.
Ian shrugged.“Think it was Tuesday and tell them to duck.”
“My sweet Daisy don’t play dangerous games.”Sometimes herda made her sound boring.
“She doesn’t have to.She’s dangerous simply walking downthe street,” Brian said.
“Is there a reason you’re still here, Brian?”Uncle Ianasked in a tone that had the man slipping away.
It was for the best, but now she needed to figure out how toconvince her father not to haul them all off the continent.“I understand thisis scary for you, Da, but we need to be reasonable.Uncle Ian is right, and youknow what?I had a brilliant idea.Maybe I should help the twins for a while.”It could be her new career.“I’m sure the team needs someone to like take notesand get lattes and stuff.No one would be worried if I was hanging out withthat crowd.”
She didn’t say CIA team because they weren’t supposed to usethose words.But the idea played around in her head now.Maybe the reason shehadn’t found anything she was good at yet was because she hadn’t consideredespionage.
Uncle Ian had gone a bit pale.“Uh, I don’t think we haveany openings for interns, Daisy.”