Page 65 of Not the Bodyguard's Princess
“They won’t have to try too hard once she marries Liam.” Andrew turned to face Jordan. “Liam and Deidre fell in love on a joint assignment to keep Abbie and her triplets safe during the delivery. I’m not 100 percent sure if they are officially engaged or not, but for now, Deidre still works for us.”
“So they guard your sister. That explains how you could work with another firm,” said Jordan.
“Dermot Security’s biggest client happens to be the Harmons. Since they guard Abbie, we are motivated to keep good relations.” Adam checked his phone and went to the door. He opened it before Blake knocked.
Blake looked first to Jordan. Issuing a wordless challenge, he frowned as his eyes locked on Andrew’s. “I thought you’d be gone.” Even with his arm in a sling, Blake looked intimidating.
“I’m not here as part of Jordan’s detail.” Andrew cleared his throat. “Claire Lee asked that I stay to meet her.”
“What?”
Jordan grabbed Andrew’s hand. “Blake, I assumed you talked with Grandma.”
Blake continued to glare. “I’d hoped she was wrong about this. Don’t get mixed up with your bodyguards. I’ve told you that before.”
“No, you told me not to get mixed up with men who don’t have my welfare in mind. Andrew has put me first every single time.”
“What about that video?”
Andrew looked Blake in the eye. “Did you read my report?”
“Yes.”
“Then you know why I made the choices I made. It’s unfortunate the video is out there. We have a theory I hope you’ll consider before you decide who to hire to help with Jordan’s security while she finishes filming.” Andrew explained how they thought someone was after Jordan’s bodyguards and that the video was released to get Andrew fired from Jordan’s detail.
Blake sat down in a straight-backed chair. “I see your point. If I don’t fire Hastings, does that mean they will go to greater lengths to get rid of you?”
Andrew didn’t like the thought of greater lengths. “I don’t know. Whoever it is either knew Tonie wasn’t a dog groomer or wanted her out of Jordan’s suite.”
“Or they wanted Jordan out of the hotel. The black roses and the photograph on the balcony would have made me move Jordan under normal circumstances.” Blake frowned. “Claire will be here tomorrow. She’s been traveling with a team of four. Since I normally contract out the rest of our teams, I need to hire someone. The lawyers are trying to see what can be done with the contract. Apparently, the private-security-personnel issue has to do with Storm’s contract.”
“What?” most everyone in the room asked.
Blake shrugged. “I’m not a lawyer. Just repeating what they said. The staying-in-the-same-hotel thing was Paul’s idea. Hearthfire is releasing Jordan from staying with the rest of the cast and crew since the police have asked her not to stay there.”
“My contract only refers to bodyguards on the sets, not my personal life, right?” asked Jordan.
Mr. Blake nodded. “I think so.”
“Since I’m not with the rest of the cast and crew, the only issue is on set security. Princess isn’t allowed up at the mansion. And even in LA, I can’t have a bodyguard in the studio. So I need a detail for offset, as well as a driver. Most likely the driver can stay around at the mansion or studio.”
“True.” Blake looked around the room and pointed at Deidre. “Who do you work for?”
“That depends. I have a rather fluid working relationship with both Hastings and Dermott.”
Blake scowled at her answer and turned to Andrew. “To be clear, I still want to knock your block off, but Claire told me not to hurt you. Regardless of who I hire, are you staying around?”
“I’m not sure.” As much as Andrew wanted to be near Jordan, his staying would be difficult for both of them.
Blake got up and circled the room, stopping in front of every guard and looking them in the eye. He paused in front of Deidre. “I’m hiring you. Since you are some sort of free agent, I assume you can pull a team together.”
“The best one in Chicago.”
“Do it.” Blake turned to Andrew. “Which condo is the operations base?”
“The north one. We also rented the south one for extra room.”
“Good. You can show me the way, and we can have a chat.” He held out his arm to Jordan. “I’ll take that hug now and any silly blather you have to say in this boy’s defense.”
