Page 4 of Always Been Mine

Beatrice held out her hand and it was caught in a firm handshake and held a bit longer than was normal.

Her eyes locked with Zach’s. The man was all-dark. Dark hair, dark eyes, and deeply bronzed skin. He looked sinful. She should be used to blatant male perusal, but she was caught off guard and felt her skin blushing.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Beatrice said, wanting to congratulate herself for her steady voice.

“Pleasure’s all mine.” Zach’s eyes penetrated deep into her.

Pulling her hand away, she addressed the senator and expressed condolences regarding the untimely death of his former Chief of Staff.

The senator nodded gravely as all three of them took their seats. Senator Mendoza’s former Chief of Staff recently passed from a heart attack. She had met the man twice before. Sharp and very protective of the senator, his death was a big blow to the senator’s office.

Zach Jamison had big shoes to fill.

Regaining some of her composure, Beatrice launched straight into business. “I believe my assistant has sent you the questionnaire?”

“Yes, we received the paperwork from Mr. Keller,” Zach answered. “We’re concerned with some of the questions. They’re very intrusive.”

She was prepared for the pushback. “Understand this, Mr. Jamison. Each principal is encouraged to answer the questions truthfully. People who want to harm Senator Mendoza will useevery dirty trick in the book, every weakness. A food allergy, a relative who has a debt, etc. We need to prepare for every threat.”

“I have nothing to hide,” Senator Mendoza said. “Though my medical—”

“We’re not discussing that here,” Beatrice cut him off. “That’s for when I determine which security company will be most suited to you. I’m merely assessing your high level needs for now.”

Both men nodded.

Their server arrived to fill their glasses with water and take their drink orders. While each of them perused the menu, Beatrice led in with her questions. “I understand the Immigration and Border Security bill is high on your priorities right now.”

“That is correct.” The senator nodded. “My constituents are divided regarding some key aspects of the bill.”

“Understandable. Florida is a melting pot of different ethnic groups, and yet, a majority of the demographic is white.” Beatrice shut the menu. She knew most of the entrée items listed by heart. “You’ll have to find a happy medium.”

“As I’ve stated in our advance brief, the President wants me to meet with several heads of state from the South American continent. Our last stop is Colombia. Their government is beginning to gain control over the drug trafficking problem, but that will largely depend on talks with the left-wing guerrillas and the right-wing paramilitary groups.”

The waiter arrived with their drinks. After giving her lunch order, Beatrice took a sip of her Riesling. “There was a recent flare up of violence between the government and the guerillas. You may need bigger guns.”

“No. I want BSI,” Senator Mendoza said.

“That’s for me to determine.”

“I know which firm you are considering, but we couldn’t afford them.”

“I’m not sending BSI into known hostile territory. Their specialty is executive and dignitary protection. You almost need a team that functions as a private army,” Beatrice reiterated.

“Listen, Beatrice. May I call you Beatrice?” Zach’s mouth tilted in a grin. Oh, the man was turning on the charm. “Bring the matter up with BSI and see if they’ll take it. Travis Blake is a living legend—the Navy SEAL who saved a senator from an assassin. Folks on the Hill talk about him whenever extra security is needed.”

Beatrice inwardly agreed that Travis’s guys were very capable of handling extreme life or death situations. She was just more protective of them. She considered them her boys.

“All right,” Beatrice agreed. “I’ll bring it up with Nathan Reece. Travis is on his honeymoon right now and should return this Friday.”

“I’ve met Reece.” The senator nodded in approval. “I really think BSI has the team we need. They provided outstanding security for the senate contingent the U.S. sent to Ukraine. I heard you negotiated that deal.”

“I did.”

“So what made you go into the security business?” Zach asked. “You are not what I expected.”

“Should I be offended?”

“I meant that as a compliment,” the Chief of Staff replied smoothly. “Your reputation precedes you.”

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