Page 22 of Guarding Zuri
Her eyes burned as she thought about her father’s personal guard. She looked out the window. The sun’s rays pierced through the passing clouds in the same way guilt lanced through her now. They had left the man in a crumpled car in the middle of the street. He might’ve still been alive when they drove away.
Now he was gone.
All he had wanted to do was go home. To return to his wife and children. They had worked him hard in the last year, and Zuri wished she had urged him to go home sooner or at least more often. Joqi was loyal to her father and their cause. His children never got to say goodbye. His wife would never again kiss her husband and wish him well. How would his family survive? Zuri made a mental note to talk to David when they reached London. She would make sure he saw to their welfare out of their own funds.
“What’s on your mind, Princess?” he asked softly.
“Joqi,” Zuri whispered.
“I heard he has a family.”
Zuri blinked back the tears in her eyes. “We will take care of them.” She nodded her resolution. “We owe it to his wife and children.”
“It’s already done.” She stared at him. He offered a sad smile. “His wife and children will have what they need to move into the future.”
“What do you mean? How?”
“I phoned David from the yacht. Transferred funds to him to give to Joqi’s family.” Daemon leaned over, his gaze intense. “I’m sorry we couldn’t get him out. I can only imagine how it’s burning you up. Believe me, I understand.”
“Do you?” she challenged. A shaky hand swiped at the tears that poured down her cheeks. Dam broken, she let out a sob.
“Don’t. Oh, no, no, no. Please, don’t cry. Here.” He offered her a napkin. Before she had it to her eyes, he had stood and was pulling her from her seat. Warm arms encircled her body.
“What are you doing?”
“David encouraged me to work on my customer service skills.”
“You’re hugging me.”
He laughed softly. “I’m trying, Princess.” He guided her away from the table. “You’re exhausted and with a lot on your mind. I’m going to take you to your room.”
She didn’t argue. Weariness caused her to lean into him, her legs protesting her own weight.
He continued, his tone gentle. “I’ve been where you are right now—in Afghanistan. Cut off from my men and unable to get to them. The unknown is the worst. Asking yourself if there was more you could’ve done.Ifyou did enough. The guilt will eat you alive if you let it. Joqi wouldn’t want you to waste away your life with regret.”
He does understand, she thought as the truth of his words resonated with her mind and heart. She wasn’t sure how much money he had given Joqi’s family, but it was more than she and David could afford. And out of his own pocket? He acted above and beyond his duty to protect her. Provision for Joqi’s family eased the guilt she carried over his death. At least their finances wouldn’t be a burden on them during their time of grief.
Zuri wasn’t sure if it was Daemon’s act of kindness for Joqi’s family or the strength and comfort his arms brought to her weary body, but her heart softened toward him. Although she still felt like his presence was an invasion in her life, she wasn’t too proud to admit he had done some good.
They stopped in front of the door to her room. Her gaze met his. “Thank you…for Joqi.”
“Of course.”
He brushed a warm finger across her cheek. Her stomach seized and a warning bell sounded in the back of her mind. “Daemon—”
“Don’t worry, Princess. Just trying to reassure you.” He cleared his throat. “I never get involved with my clients.”
Her gaze slipped from his eyes and traveled the length of his straight nose and made it no further than his lips. “You don’t?”
His lips parted, and he said, “No.” His face inched closer. Pressure from his arms lifted her to the tips of her toes. His nose slipped alongside hers. “Well, not yet.”
Zuri’s eyes drifted close, her parted lips waiting for his touch. She could allow this—once and blame it on grief. It was grief, wasn’t it? Trauma affected rational choice. She would never willingly choose to be in Daemon’s arms. Never settle against his firm chest and allow him to be the strength and solace she needed. The sole explanation for this lapse in judgment was heartache.
Cool air filtered between them, and Zuri’s eyes snapped open. Daemon’s arm slipped away, and he stepped back. From over his shoulder, Blaine and Archer stood near the table, staring at the two of them.
Zuri swallowed and wrapped her arms around her body.
“I pride myself on professionalism,” Daemon stated as he opened the door to her room. “Sleep well, Zuri. If you need anything, call the attendants. Food, drink, an extra blanket. They’re happy to help. I’ll be in my room.” He walked toward his team, who had grins on their faces.
