Page 9 of Not the Bodyguard's Princess
“I guess I should call myself lucky to have ended up in one of these critical-care rooms. Doctor says they want me here overnight, and then they’ll move me to another floor for a day or two.” Blake focused on Andrew, the tightness in his face and jaw hinting at the pain he must be in. “If you think for one second this job is about the dog, I’ll fire you on the spot.”
“When Miss Lee first mentioned Princess, I was shocked. But after two interactions with Paul, I’m getting a better picture of what this job entails.”
“Good. If it’s a choice between the mutt and Jordan, I expect you to protect the human. Jordan can give you the contact information for my firm. We are small because Jordan and her grandmother are our only clients. Someone will fill you in on what you need to know. When I’m not under the influence of pain meds, I’ll decide what happens next. I don’t like that you are so young. But you are a Hastings, and your reputation is good enough. Had my Jordan contracted any other firm, I’d be on the phone rearranging things to get one of my regular contractors out here. Just promise me one thing, kid—you won’t fall in love with my little girl. I’ve heard rumors about you Hastings, and I knew your parents back in the day. You have your family history against you on that one. She needs someone who will take a bullet for her, not the other way around.”
Miss Lee’s face reddened as Blake spoke. Andrew felt heat crawl up his own neck. He wasn’t his older siblings. He would not fall for a client. Even if she was beautiful. Just because Abbie and Alex had married their clients didn’t mean he would. Although, now, with Adam marrying September, the family’s record for client relationships was in shambles.
“I wanted a full protection team, but Paul thwarted my efforts. I can only hope Hearthfire management will listen to reason after this incident and allow Jordan more security. I can’t wait for Claire Lee to finish her work in India and be on set. Then I’ll at least have a full crew here for a couple days.” Blake closed his eyes and took a few shallow breaths, each one growing deeper than the last.
“Jordan, be as open in communicating with Andrew as you are with me. Probably more so as he isn’t used to your communication codes. That is a language all your own. Now, if you’ll push the red button for me, I’m ready for my pain meds.” Taking a long, slow breath, Blake closed his eyes.
Jordan pushed the button, and Andrew hovered as she sat back down in the wheelchair.
A male nurse entered carrying a small tray with a syringe. “Here you go, Mr. Blake.” He confirmed Mr. Blake’s identity, which included his first name, Reginald, before sticking a needle into the IV port. The nurse turned to Miss Lee and Andrew. “Mr. Blake is likely to sleep for the next few hours. Shall I leave him a note to let you know if he would like visitors?”
“Yes, please,” Jordan answered as her original nurse returned to take her back to the room.
“I can take her back.” Andrew hoped the offer would give them a few minutes alone.
“Sorry, hospital policy. I already didn’t interfere when you let her stand.” The nurse’s knit brows let him know she hadn’t been pleased with the policy violation she’d easily viewed through the partially curtained windows.
As Andrew followed them to the elevator, questions about this job filled his head. He hoped a phone call to Blake’s team would answer most of them.
Jordan handed him her open phone. “This is the number you need. Call it when you leave the hospital.”
Andrew punched the number into his phone and handed hers back. Jordan hit the green dial button. “Hey, this is Jordan. I saw Blake. He approved Andrew Hastings for the interim. Mr. Andrew will call in an hour.”
Miss Lee paused, then answered the next three questions with two yeses and a no before hanging up. “Sorry, I can’t tell you more here.”
The elevator doors opened. A Hearthfire guard waited across the hall for them. Ears.
5
The doctor signedJordan’s release on Sunday afternoon. Stu had arranged for her to leave through an employee entrance at the back of the hospital to avoid the paparazzi. Unfortunately, he’d also accompanied her to say goodbye to Blake, who was now in a standard room, denying them any meaningful conversation.
Jordan texted Andrew from the car.Going to hotel now. Can’t wait to see Princess.
—She’s eager to see you too.The text included a photo of her dog curled up and asleep in a chair. To her surprise, he’d checked Princess out from the veterinary hospital last night and the two were getting along.
Stu and Paul followed her to her room, where Paul handed her a key card. The thought crossed her mind that he most likely had a duplicate. Oh, how she wished Blake were here. She waited for Stu to make sure the suite was clear before entering. Paul tried to follow her in.
Jordan put up a hand. “Not now, please. I still have a headache.” Or she would if she had to talk to him for long.
“But we need to talk about Tuesday.”
“We are doing a read-through, right?”
“Yes— “
“Has the script changed?”
“No, but I want to make sure you’re ready.”
“I’m sure I will be. With Monday to rest up, I’ll be fine. I’ve been doing read-throughs for twenty years. I’ve played the role of Princess Sam for three and a half of those. Trust me, I’ll be ready.” She didn’t try to disguise her sarcasm.
The elevator at the end of the hall pinged, and Andrew appeared with Princess on her leash.
“Besides, Princess hasn’t seen me for over twenty-four hours. You don’t want to see how hyper she can be.”
