Page 24 of The Bodyguard

I grab my bag and jacket, check with my assistant that there’s nothing urgently needing my attention, and then me and Bodie head downstairs, and out onto the Quayside.

“You know, sometimes you sound like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.” Bodie looks at me as we head towards another of my usual haunts, a small café/bar overlooking the river.

“I guess I’m still just getting used to all of this. What I’m being asked to do. It’s a distraction I could do without.”

He doesn’t respond to that, which is fine by me. Heisa distraction, but one I’m slowly learning to deal with, despite my outward protestations.

As we arrive at the bar I’m glad to see there are free tables out on the terrace, one of which we commandeer, and I sink into my chair and take a deep breath, turning my attention to the waiter who’s suddenly materialised by our table.

“Beer?” I ask Bodie. “The non-alcoholic type, obviously.”

He smiles and nods. And I order myself a large glass of white wine, no food, my appetite’s showing no signs of returning any time soon.

Our drinks arrive within minutes, and I’m glad we’re doing this. I needed a bit of time out, a chance to catch my breath before an afternoon of meetings and phone calls and last-minute emails.

“I shouldn’t really be day-drinking.” I pick up my glass of wine and take a sip, grateful for the instant hit it gives me. I can feel myself starting to relax, and I’m not sure whether that’s a good idea or not. I’ve still got a lot of work to do this afternoon.

“One or two won’t hurt, surely?”

Maybe not. But I just feel like I should be keeping a clear head.

“Anything you want to talk about?”

I look at Bodie, and frown. “I’m sorry?”

“You look like you have a lot on your mind.”

“You think?”

He laughs and drops his head briefly before looking back up, his eyes meeting mine. “I just, you know…” He shrugs. “If you want to talk, about anything…”

“I wasn’t aware you’ve also been hired to give me counselling.”

“Who said anything about counselling? I’m just a very good listener, if that’s what you need.”

“It’s fine.I’mfine.”

He sits back in his chair as the sun finally decides to make an appearance, upping the temperature a little. “You know where I am, if you change your mind.”

“Oh, I always know where you are.”

His eyes lock on mine again, but this time there’s a sparkle in there I don’t think I’ve seen before. The corner of his mouth curls upwards, and he laughs quietly, he knows where he stands with me now. “You’re still not in love with this whole situation, huh?”

“Areyou? I mean, you were initially hired as my bodyguard, and without any warning you’re now having to not only carry out the job you’re actually here to do, but you’ve also been told that you have to pretend to be my boyfriend? That we have to recreate some kind of whirlwind romance scenario, and you’re still okay with all of that?”

“Again, I don’t have a lot of say in what I do. This is a job, I do as I’m told. And I think I also remember telling you that I see this as a challenge now. I’ve never had an assignment quite like this one, which makes it all the more interesting.”

“Okay. That’s weird.”

He laughs again, but his eyes are still carrying that sparkle, he seems almost human now. Ordinary. Normal. “There’s nothing weird about throwing yourself into something.”

“This isn’t a game, Bodie.”

The smile disappears, and his eyes cloud over slightly, and that actually unsettles me a little. “Oh, I know that, Lena. I know that only too well.” He leans forward, his eyes burning deep into mine, so deep I feel my breath catch. “And nobody’s treating it like one, least of all me.”

I drop my gaze, my fingers tightening around the stem of my wine glass. “I’m scared.”

Jesus! Did I just say that out loud? Really? Thing is, though, it’s true. Iamscared. And I think, deep down, I’ve always been scared, since I was old enough to know what my family was involved in. It’s only now I’m willing to admit it. But not to them. Never to them. That would be seen as a weakness. But admitting it to a stranger? That’s okay. I think…

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