Page 12 of Flawless

My heart stammers inside of my chest even as I try to pull my sunglasses closer to my face although that’s physically impossible. The wide-brimmed hat that I’m wearing isn’t large enough to block out the glimpses of the reporters that I gain or completely hide me from their view.

“This way, ma’am,” Dexter, my bodyguard, says, shielding me from the cameras on one side.

Jordan, the other bodyguard that Jade hired for today, blocks her and me both on the other side as he manages to open her car door for us.

The cameras are flashing in the dark night. I’m used to cameras flashing all around me. In fact, I welcome and adore them.

This, though? This is a different monster.

“Nica, why are you wearing sunglasses at night?" a final reporter shouts just as Dexter moves in their path.

Leaning inside, Dexter asks, “Are you sure that you don’t want me to go with you?”

“Dex, she’ll be just fine,” Jade says.

Dexter doesn’t move but continues to stare at me, waiting for an answer.

“We’ll be fine, Dex. If you can keep these vultures from following us, that would be great. I’ll call you and update you as soon as I arrive home,” I tell him.

Nodding, he says, “Yes, ma’am.”

Dexter closes the door on me and joins Jordan in keeping the reporters away just as Jade pulls off.

“Sorry about that,” Jade apologizes.

“Why should you be?”

“I thought getting you out of there at night would be our best route. I have no idea who tipped them off that you were being released tonight,” Jade says, glancing into the rearview mirror to make sure that we aren’t being followed.

“Probably one of those nurses,” I mutter, leaning against the window.

“How are you feeling, love?” Jade asks, reaching across the console and grabbing my hand.

She gives it a little squeeze.

“Just ready to go home and rest. I want to be in my own bed surrounded by my pillows and nothing else.”

Jade inhales and exhales slowly. I know that she wants to say something, but she won’t.

“Being in a hospital for two days for fainting is crazy.”

“They just wanted to make sure that you’re okay. Not to mention, they’re going to be extra cautious with someone of your status than they will be with someone like Joe Blow across the street.”

“Well, they shouldn’t. If they were that concerned, they should have let me go home when I asked.”

“Asked? Asked, Dani? Girl, you weren’t asking. You gave those doctors and nurses hell.”

Laughing, I say, “Not the cute one with the dark, curly hair and green eyes.”

“Honey, he was already taken,” Jade says, looking at me and rolling her eyes.

“How do you know?”

“When I left after my visit last night, he was getting off shift. I saw him head out to his car and a pretty, little brown-haired woman was leaning against the hood of a Maserati waiting for him. They kissed, and then they hopped into the car and drove off.”

“It’s always the good ones that are taken.”

“As if you’re looking for a relationship anyway.”

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