Page 38 of Guarding Zuri
“And it’s…” She wiped at a tear that had escaped the corner of her eye. “My father’s dream. We had talked so much about what Bendola could be. It’s exciting to know it’s about to happen.”
He frowned. “You don’t look excited.”
“It’s bittersweet without my father.”
“Of course it is.” His finger lightly rubbed her arm again. “You’ve got goosebumps. Nervous?”
“A little. I never expected to do this alone.”
“You’re not alone. I’m here.”
“As my bodyguard.”
“A supportive bodyguard. Talk about your people with the passion that’s in your heart and they won’t say no.”
Well, now she was nervous. That twinkle in his eyes—she now recognized it as admiration. He admiredher. Fire erupted in her chest, consuming her heart. All of a sudden, he was too near. She watched his mouth form a grin, tempting her to lean just a little to her left. How quickly her immunity to him vanished.
The vehicle shifted suddenly and her hands went flying—one to his right thigh and the other to his chest. Her mouth nearly caught his. Daemon grunted. “Smooth driving there.”
“Sorry, boss,” came the driver’s reply.
Daemon shot her a lopsided grin. “You okay?”
She pulled her hands back quickly. “Fine.” She cleared her throat. “I wish my father had lived long enough to see it happen. To have choices. My people are finally going to have them. There were so many times over the years that—although we believed we would succeed—it seemed unattainable. That we were fooling ourselves.”
“You weren’t fooling yourself. It’sgoingto happen.”
Zuri stared out the window as more white marble buildings came into view. “My father dreamed of seeing Washington, DC. And now I get to see it for him.”
“Make him proud.”
She nodded. “I will try.” She glanced over her shoulder. Daemon’s fingers flew across his phone’s screen. “What about your father?”
He stopped texting, his head falling back against the seat. “Oh, don’t go ruining it, Princess. We had a nice moment without arguing. Why bring him up?”
“You and your father don’t get along.”
He glanced at her and smirked. “What gave it away?” he asked sarcastically.
“The way you two… It’s hard to explain.”
“Well, you’re right. Arthur Knight and I don’t get along.”
“Why?”
His lips fluttered as he blew out a breath. “How much time do you have?”
“He doesn’t like what you do?”
His brows slanted into a V. “You’re perceptive.” He sighed loudly. “He doesn’t like that I haven’t taken over the family business. Despite being an absolute control freak when it comes to the business, he’s ready to move on for some reason. He’s been hounding me about transitioning into his role.”
She arched a brow. “Over all of Knight Industries?” He nodded. “But you have your own companies. And don’t you want to return to the military?”
“What makes you say that?” he asked quickly.
“I heard you mention it on the boat.”
“Ah. Yes, well, the offer is always there from my old unit. Given my father’s recent encouragement, re-enlisting sounds good right about now.”
