Page 2 of The Bodyguard and the Bombshell

His sister had started dancing at the age of five. Most kids outgrew it, but not Elodie. She was attending a prestigious university and expected to join a company when she graduated.

He’d had his shot at the career he’d thought he’d been destined for, and it hadn’t worked out. “I’m very proud of them both.”

“But you wish you had that spark,” his father prompted.

Nate shook his head. “No, I wish I knew where I belong. Don’t think I’m not grateful, Dad. I love my family, but I don’t belong here anymore. At least when I was working with the team I felt some sense of purpose.”

He’d been called in to help with an op Tag’s daughters and their team had been running in Sydney. Naturally it had all gone to hell, but it had been the one thing in months that made him feel like he mattered.

“You won’t be working with the Agency,” his father pointed out. “You’re going into the bodyguard unit. It’s not the same. Do you want to be an investigator? Because Damon probably has more room for you to move around.”

“I’ve lived in London. I want something new. I want to try this. Like I said, I don’t mean to hurt you or Mum.”

“We’ll be fine. I simply want to make sure you’re not running away for the wrong reasons.”

“I don’t think I’m running away at all. I’ve been drifting. I don’t want to work the station the rest of my life,” Nate admitted.

His father’s arms crossed over his chest as he looked out across the lawn. “I don’t have a problem with you wanting out. Your sister wants another life, too. We came back to help your grandmother. She’s gone now, and we’ll probably sell the place. Your mum has a hankering to travel again.”

His mother’s version of travel would be to go to the world’s forgotten places and try to make them better. His father would be right beside her. “She wants to open another clinic?”

He’d been born in a clinic his mother had run outside of Sierra Leone.

“Her kids are grown and I think she wants to do more good in the world. And I’ll be honest, I’m looking forward to having time with her, but I worry what happens if we’re out wandering the world and you need us. Am I wrong to not keep a place for you to come home to?”

Damn, but he loved this man. “You and Mum and Elodie are my home. Not some space. I know if I ever need you, you’ll be there. I’m trying to be brave, Dad. It would be easy to stay here and work this station and marry someone from town, but it’s not what’s in my heart.”

“Then you have to go into the world and figure it out,” his father said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Find your passion and don’t let it go. But I want you to consider what I’m about to say to you. Sometimes the passion we need isn’t a career. It’s a person. It’s a family. I’m not ever going to be as smart as your mum, but I learned my place long ago. It’s to love her and build this family with her. To support her and you and your sister. I wouldn’t take it back for anything in the world. Certainly not for some high-powered career. It’s the best job for me. Be open to what the universe offers you. And know no matter where we are, we’re here for you.”

The door opened and his mother stepped out. “We should get on the road if we’re going to make it to the airport in time.” She strode down the steps and joined them. “Oh, I’m going to miss you. All my babies are flying out of the nest. You should know I’ve already called Avery, and she’s going to make sure you have everything you need. Are you sure you don’t want to wait until you find an apartment?”

He was staying with friends. Well, with people he knew back when he was a kid. He’d known Aidan O’Donnell since they were babies. Their parents were friends who would get together every couple of years.

“I want to get a feel for the city,” he explained. He would be living with Aidan and two of his friends. Their extra room would work until he decided where he wanted to live.

The fact the room was also close to a BDSM club Aidan and his friends ran was a plus. He’d been raised around lifestylers, but the clubs were few and far between here in the outback, and he hadn’t had occasion to play during his time in the military. Unless he went to Sydney, he didn’t play, and Sydney was so far away.

But that wouldn’t be a problem in Dallas. There were several clubs he would have easy access to. He would go and figure his life out. And maybe spend some time with a pretty sub or two.

“Let’s get going then,” his father said.

He took his mum’s hand and moved to the truck so he could start his future.

* * * *

Dallas, TX

One week later

Daisy O’Donnell was ready.

Real estate hadn’t worked out for her, but she was all right. She wasn’t meant for the restaurant world either. The fifth time she’d dropped a platter of five-star food had proven she was not a perfect server. She’d never actually seen her Uncle Sean cry before. The man was serious about food.

She’d moved through a series of jobs, but nothing had stuck yet.

Until today.

“So you think you know how to use the phone system?” Her brand spanking new boss was named Harlow Dawson, and she was twelve kinds of awesome. She ran the Dawson-Lockwood Agency along with her business partner, Ruby Lockwood.

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