Page 17 of The Reluctant Wife

I sense him stiffen. "I’m here to protect you and will do what I think is right to keep you safe, even if that means going against your father’s directives."

Not too many people would have the courage to do that. He might be an arrogant, over-bearing and opinionated ass—but given how he saved me at the bar, I pegged him as chivalrous, maybe even fearless. Now that he’s standing up for me againstmy father, I realize, he’s macho not only in his looks, but also when it counts. He’s truly brave and courageous. A real man.

“You’re an astute woman. You deserve to know what you’re up against. It will help you understand the measures I’m implementing for your safety.”

That, more than anything, moves me. Of course, he’s also doing it so I’m more cooperative, but regardless of his motives, I appreciate him treating me as someone who knows my mind and can decide what I want for myself.

Then another thought strikes me. "Does this mean I need to change my hotel room?"

Once more, his features turn expressionless. "This means, we’ll be re-visiting the backgrounds of everyone on your team who had access to your hotel room. And yes, you’ll be moving to a different hotel."

My jaw drops. "I am?"

He nods. "I’m relocating you to a boutique hotel. One which might not be as fancy as the one you were in, but where you will be safer and which I hope will match the style you are accustomed to."

I disregard the sarcasm in his voice. "And when were you going to tell me this?"

He has the grace to look shamefaced.

"You weren’t going to tell me about this until we reached the hotel?"

"We are on our way there now," he admits.

I do understand the reasoning behind not going back to the hotel. Fact is, I wouldn’t feel safe there either. So, I’m glad not to return. "You could have mentioned it to me earlier,” I grouse.

"I didn’t want to take your focus off the event you were headed to. And I am telling you the first opportunity I got."

I purse my lips. He’s right, I admit grudgingly. I’m used to events in the public eye, but I still do need to focus my mindon it to give it my best. If he’d shown me the note or told me about the hotel change before the event, it would have broken my concentration, so he did the right thing.Damn, I can’t even get pissed off with him, can I?

“Also, given someone made it past the security on your floor, it felt prudent to keep the details of where we were moving you on a need-to-know basis."

I incline my head. "You mean, you don’t trust me not to share my whereabouts with, say, social media?" I raise my phone.

His lips quirk. "You wouldn’t be stupid enough to do that.”

"Thanks?" I scoff.

"I didn’t think you were going tell anyone outside of your immediate circle, but I wanted to ensure not even your personal assistant, or anyone from your previous security team, would find out about it. Your father is, of course, aware of our plans."

“Not even Veronica?” I frown. “With all the planning we have to do, it would be helpful to have her staying in the same hotel.”

“That’s what she said too.” He raises a shoulder. “It’s only until we've completed a thorough check on everyone’s background, and until we rule out their being involved with the last threat.”

All at once, the meaning of his words sinks in. "You think someone within the team let the intruder have access to my room?" I ask in horror.

"I prefer not to engage in conjecture." His voice is calm, and I get the feeling, once again, he’s trying to manage me…because I’m his client.Grr.That’s the box he wants to stick me in, and he’s not budging on it. I’m going to try my best to make him reconsider it, though.

Once again, I look out the window. The city passes by outside, and I spot the familiar sign of a well-known fast-food chain. The only time I’ve been to one was when I evadedsecurity and sneaked out of boarding school with a friend. I was reprimanded by my father for it.

It was the fact that I might have endangered my friend’s life that made me realize I needed to take more responsibility for my actions. I realized then, I liked to pretend to be like everyone else, but I wasn’t.

But there are also benefits to my position. Like now, when I want something and not even my controlling bodyguard can stop me from having it.

I press the button for the intercom and speak into it, "Stop the car, I want to get out."

9

Ryot

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