“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 fucking 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.
“I never liked Drew being in charge anyhow, Daddy,” she announces, eyes suddenly hooded. Contempt shoots out of her eyeballs as she gives me a look her old friend Mandy could have easily extended. It’s condescending, haughty, and designed to convince Marshall that she doesn’t want me.
It’s a ruse.
“I told you that from day one.”
Day one. Lindsay’s been home for a handful of days. So much has happened.
Too much has happened.
And I know it’s only the beginning.
Chapter 13
“I’d like a word with you,” I say to Lindsay.
“No!” Harry and Marshall are in stereo.
“In private, away from the windows and anyone with a camera. That too stalkerish for you?” My words are addressed to Harry and Marshall, who look at each other as they decide. Not Lindsay.
She ignores them, grabs my arm, and yanks me angrily into the kitchen, where Connie is arranging fruit and cheese on a plate. Her head bobs up and she grabs the tray, busily walking down the hall to Harry’s office. People tend to skedaddle when tempers are close to blowing.
“I haven’t even had my first coffee of the day and you get yourself fired?” Lindsay hisses.
I pull my biceps out of reach and turn away, opening a cabinet.
“What are you doing?” she asks, furious.
“Looking for the coffee beans. I can’t have this conversation right now. Not when the taste of you is still on the tip of my tongue and your father just confronted me about sleeping with you.”
Not to mention the scarves set me the fuck up.
“Daddy what?”
I shrug.
“You have the most robotic range of emotions I’ve ever seen in a man, Drew.”
I find the coffee beans, pour some in the grinder, and before I press the grind button, I lean into her and whisper, “You didn’t think so when we were naked and in bed an hour ago.”
BZZZZZZZZ.
She can’t argue as a florid blush fills her gorgeous face. I know she wants caffeine as much as I need a distraction. Harry and Marshall aren’t going to give us much time together. Loose tongues can be found in any politician’s household, no matter how careful security is with background checks and ongoing evaluations.
Trust me.