Page 6 of Last Minute

Walking into the airport without a clue of who I’m looking for is not how I usually go about my job.

But I wait. And I wait as a fresh batch of arrivals filters out of the doors to the secure area. Hardly anyone glances my way, and I instinctively know they’re not who I’m looking for. Seeing as how this assignment was sprung on me with hardly any warning, I’m assuming it was the same for Miss Haynes. So I just need to watch for someone who looks as clueless as I feel underneath my calm, cool, and collected exterior.

The stream of people slows to a trickle, and I still haven’t spotted anyone who could be Miss Haynes. I check my watch, knowing full well that plenty of time has passed and she should be somewhere in the terminal. None of the flights on the arrivals board have been delayed, miraculously. So where is my mysterious client?

“Hi!” A female voice chirps from my left. I turn to see a red-headed woman in an oversized forest green hoodie and black leggings, wheeling a purple suitcase. Her smile is stunning, and while I admit she’s beautiful, I don’t flirt with random women while on assignment.

I give a polite smile and a nod before turning back to the arrivals exit.

The woman doesn’t get the hint and wheels that light purple suitcase right up to me. “Hi,” she repeats herself, that dazzling smile unwavering.

I try to ignore her, but she tilts her body into my line of sight. “Hello?”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, I’m waiting for someone.” I try to keep my voice professional, but a smidge of annoyance leaks out.

If you can believe it, the woman’s smile widens. She sticks out her hand. “I’m Ellie.”

I do a double take, taking her in from her slightly messy red hair to her white sneakers, before extending my own hand and shaking hers. “Erik Donovan.”

This woman does not look like someone who needs an EPA. People who need EPAs wear suits, walk around like they own the place, or both. They don’t look like college girls on a gap year.

“Ellie Haynes,” she introduces herself properly. “But you can just call me Ellie.” That megawatt smile is still on her face, and for the briefest of moments, my cheek starts to twitch.

I clear my throat and release her hand. “I was told your other EPA had a medical emergency?” I move to take her suitcase, but she deftly wheels it away from me, a very clear I’ve got this movement. Instead, I gesture toward the rest of the terminal, and follow as she confidently—and very enthusiastically—strides toward the exit.

“Yes. If I knew Beckett had appendicitis this morning, I would have brought someone else with me.” So far, the bits of information she’s given me match up with what Gideon told me this morning, but I’m still having trouble wrapping my mind around the fact that this woman is the one who needed a last minute protection agent.

I lead her through the airport, keeping my eyes out for any sort of threat. It’s my job to anticipate and prevent anything from happening, and up until a few minutes ago, I thought it would be like any other high profile assignment—dealing with the same old situations. But seeing Ellie, I know that’s not the case, but I’m wholly unprepared for what I should be looking out for, and that’s unsettling.

We make our way down to the parking garage. Once I get her in the car, I’ll ask for more clarifications, like “where are we going?” and “what are we doing?” and “are you sure you actually need an EPA?” She’s certainly not a business woman, but maybe she’s the daughter of one? While most socialites don’t go out looking like they’re ready to binge an entire series on Netflix, I wouldn’t put it past one of them to do it to fly under the radar. But getting an EPA on daddy’s dime? That sounds exactly like something one of those types of women would do.

I unlock and open the back door of my nondescript sedan, but Ellie stops a few feet away.

“Aren’t you going to get in?” I ask, trying to read her body language. She rocks on her feet, fiddling with the button on the suitcase handle. She rolls her lips over her teeth, like she’s unsure of what to say, but I can see the moment she decides to go for it. She takes a deep breath and raises her chin, pulling her shoulders back slightly. The corner of her mouth tips up before that signature smile spreads to the rest of her face.

“Can I sit in the front seat?”

CHAPTER 6

Ellie

Life looks a little different from the front seat of a car. It’s been so long since I’ve been up here that it feels like a guilty pleasure.

Erik Donovan, my replacement EPA, puts my purple suitcase in the trunk before climbing in the driver’s seat. He’s definitely not what I expected. All of the EPAs in my parents’ employ back home are a little older—more wizened, more experienced—but Erik looks like he’s barely older than me.

Not to say that young people can’t be incredibly accomplished—I’m my own example here—but I wasn’t expecting someone so…attractive.

I’ve never been attracted to one of my EPAs before, but Erik’s breaking all the rules. He’s tall with dark hair and deep blue eyes, and he fills out his suit like nobody’s business. He could easily pass for a certain celebrity. But unlike that favorite celebrity of mine, I haven’t seen him smile once since I met him.

I’m not used to brooding and serious. Beckett is fun and playful when he’s not on the verge of an appendix rupture. He told me that his buddy Gideon was going to send the best man at his disposal, so I have to trust his word that Erik is the best. Because he’s certainly not the most chipper.

Erik puts the key in the ignition, but doesn’t turn it. Instead, he turns to me.

“Alright, Ellie.” His voice is low, and the way his brow furrows slightly makes me feel like getting into a car with a stranger maybe wasn’t the best idea I’ve had today. But can you blame me? I got on a plane at nine this morning, flew for eight and a half hours, and it’s not even noon yet. I’m blaming all of today’s poor decisions on jet lag.

“To adequately complete my job as your executive protection agent, I’m going to need some information.”

The tension Erik created in my body by starting off so ominously evaporates. I relax into the seat and turn toward him with a smile. “What do you need to know?”

---