Page 3 of Sexy Bodyguard

Jeremy is so small at this age. I remember the way I idolized my dad when I was seven. He was a giant amongst men, and now Jeremy looks at me with the same adoration in his eyes. I can’t stop myself from scooping him into my arms and carrying him to my car.

Normally, he fights me when I want a hug, but not right now. Fortunately for me, he still wants to feel safe with his dad, safe in my arms. I rub his back as we walk to the car, and Lana opens the door for us. She steps aside to let me put him into his booster seat, which he’ll be too big for in the coming months. Still, it’s a reminder that he can’t protect himself yet.

“Hey, bud.” I rub his light brown curls and look straight into blue eyes that mirror mine. “Are you hurt?”

“No, Dad.” He shakes his head, voice barely audible.

“I’m going to take you home, and we’re going to change a few things. Okay? I’m going to do a much better job at keeping you safe.”

“I’m okay, Dad. I promise I’m all right.” He flashes me the fakest smile I’ve ever seen, but I’m happy to see he’s trying to put me at ease.

I nod with appreciation, taking a step back and turning to Lana. “Can you spare the rest of your day today?”

“Of course,” she says. “I’m sure the police are going to have a lot of questions.”

“Yes, they will. Please wait here with Jeremy,” I tell her. She nods and takes a stance like she’s waiting to coordinate with a team. Lana’s background in security is obvious. Curiosity has a million questions bouncing around my head as I walk back to the principal, who’s in the same spot I left him.

Good boy.

“Mr. Archer, I swear—” Mr. Drummond’s lip quivers as he pleads for me not to be the man he understands I am outside of this suit.

“What are you swearing about, Carl?” Every time I say his name, it reminds him of the day he realized I knew it before he told it to me. The day he promised me that my son would be safe at this prestigious institution. For the past three years, Jeremy has been safe.

He stammers and trips over his words. “As soon as you called me about Jeremy leaving his classroom, I went to make sure there wasn’t a mistake.”

“Do you think I’d call you about my son leaving his classroom if I didn’t know it was an emergency? If I didn’t know something was wrong? There’s no reason for my son to walk out of his classwith someone in a faculty blazer eighteen minutes after I walked him into the building.”

One of the security measures I insist upon when it comes to Jeremy is that he wears a watch that’s digitally tethered to my phone. I can see him through his camera and always know his location.

“Mr. Archer, please.” Mr. Drummond’s eyes well with tears. “I don’t think she’s one of my staff members. There’s no way?—”

I silence him with a hand. “The police are on their way. You’re going to give them your complete cooperation. You’re also going to send me a copy of the security footage. If anyone asks, Jeremy’s transferred schools, and you have not been updated on his whereabouts. Have all his files sent to my office, digital and physical copies, by the end of the day.”

“Won’t the police want those records?” he asks.

“That’s what copies are for Mr. Drummond. Give them the duplicates and send the originals to me. If there are any issues or further questions, you know how to get in touch with me. One more thing, Carl.”

“Yes, Mr. Archer?” His shoulders sulk, his eyes plastered to the ground.

“I expect the other parents to be made aware of what happened here this morning and for the security measures to be updated accordingly. Just because Jeremy won’t be returning doesn’t mean the students should remain at risk. That’s all.”

My tone is dismissive, forcing him to retreat inside the school to do as I command. After dealing with him, I head back to the car, where Lana continues to stand guard.

“Thank you again for what you did today,” I say, reaching out to shake her hand once again. There’s an allure to Lana that draws me to her, making me want to touch her constantly. Her strength is admirable. Her courage to act is undeniable.

The softness of Lana’s skin against mine reminds me of how long it’s been. Burying myself in work these past few years while taking care of Jeremy has me blind to the touch I desire in the quietest moments of the night. The way Lana’s eyes lock onto mine makes me miss those intimate moments, if even for a second. Unfortunately, I must put it out of my head.

There’s a subtle raspiness to her voice when she speaks. “It’s no problem, really. I’m just happy I was here to do something about it. This school has too many holes in its security operations, but I get it. This cozy little town dulls the senses and provides a false level of safety.”

I agree, and I’m ready to leave this illusion of security. “Can you meet me at my office in about an hour?”

After fishing out a business card, it gives me another reason to touch her as our fingers graze each other. She pulls her hand away instinctively, like I’ve electrocuted her, and I have to stop myself from reaching for her again.

This sudden, intense emotion takes me by surprise. Perhaps it’s from the earlier adrenaline and anxiety of almost losing Jeremy. Or perhaps it’s something more.

She tells me, “I’ll be there.”

I watch the confident sway of Lana’s slender hips, walking away from me toward the parking lot. Her car moves slow enough for me to catch a glimpse of her license plate. It only takes a few seconds for me to jot it down to look up later.

---