Page 45 of Not the Bodyguard's Princess
“Jordan.” Andrew’s voice vibrated through her like a guard-dog’s growl.
“Let me go. Your entire family is staring.”
“Only if you answer my questions.”
“Fine.”
Andrew released her. At the top of the arc, Jordan jumped. The ladder to the fort was only feet away. She made it to the first rung when Andrew came behind her, trapping her. “You realize if you go up, there isn’t an easy way down as the ropes on the other side are missing?”
Jordan stepped back down and turned to face him. Andrew leaned his arm overhead on the entrance to the fort. “Mom’s brother designed this. Now, you owe me an answer.”
“Fine. No, I’m not happy. I was getting used to you, and I don’t just spill my thoughts to anyone, and it’s super annoying when you say I’m acting when I’m dealing with the situation. It isn’t like I really have a choice, is it?” The words rushed out in one long breath.
“There are always choices. I could rearrange things. Any of my brothers could execute my plans for the gala.”
“But your other client wouldn’t be happy, and your brothers might miss a detail and you would spend all week worrying about it.” Jordan crossed her arms.
“And all week I will wonder how you are really doing and if I need to punch Storm in the face.” His voice lowered.
“Probably should on Wednesday. We film our first kiss. Assuming Paul adheres to the agreed intimacy guidelines, it should be fine. But that doesn’t mean Storm won’t be a jerk about it.”
“Will you call me?”
Jordan met his eyes. “You mean I can?”
“Text me first. We may need to set up a time. And give me ten minutes to answer the text.” Andrew pushed back from the fort, giving her more room.
Jordan didn’t bother holding back the smile. “I’d like that.”
Andrew held out his hand. “Let’s go get some burgers before my brothers eat them all.”
18
As busy ashis week was, Andrew found too much time to think about Jordan. The brief calls were not enough to keep him from wondering if Storm was acting like a gentleman, a feat that would require most of the man’s acting skills, or if Ben and Tonie were being vigilant.
Jordan had been elated that Wednesday’s kissing scene required only one take and that Storm hadn’t worn Thunder. Andrew wasn’t sure which one Jordan was happiest about. Ben reported that one note had been left in the trailer but Tonie had intercepted it. The computer-written note had been sent to Blake for the collection. No one bothered to let Stu know about it.
Somehow Andrew made it to Friday. So far, the ribbon cutting was without incident. The hour before the start of the gala had the entire Hastings team working to run things safely, smoothly, and invisibly.
The gala had more moving parts than most events—celebrities with their own protection details, local politicians with only a month left to impress voters, and philanthropists, some famous, others not, milling about. Add in the caterers, event staff, and local and national media outlets and it all totaled a mind-blowing amount of people to watch. Most of the Chicago-area security agencies worked and played well together on events like this. Only three of the attendees were under active threat alerts. The attendance of the mayor meant the police were there, and two federal judges brought the US Marshals, both of which were less likely to follow a civilian command.
Elle entered the command room. “The caterer is upset. She added three people to her staff today, but they didn’t have background clearances. Alex won’t let them in. She threatened to quit, and I told her to double-check her contract. Alan is running backgrounds now.”
“It always happens. You think they’d know by now to have extra staff on hand. Any other glitches?”
“No, but did you see the background check on the councilman? No way is he getting my vote.”
Andrew laughed. “He isn’t the only one. You’d better get changed and back out there. Alex will want you near the red carpet.”
Elle took a dress bag from over a chair. “It isn’t fair that the only time I get to wear gorgeous clothes is at work. I hope I don’t need to chase anyone down in this little black dress. I’d like to use it on a date someday. I’ll be back in ten.”
Andrew’s phone vibrated. He expected it to be the Hastings app. It was Jordan.
—Hard day. Talk?
Gala starts in 45 min. I can for about 2 minutes or after 1 a.m.
—Okay. We can talk in the morning. Hope all goes well.
