Page 24 of Guarding Zuri
Exactly where I should be. Out here, doing my job.So why did his stomach twist with regret? “Sorry, bro. I’m—”
“Exhausted,” Archer interrupted. “Trying to remain professional around her is going to drain you. You’ll need to manage that.”
“Captain Archer Obvious of the US Air Force, everyone,” Blaine said dryly. “Daemon’s got this. It’s not like he hasn’t protected beautiful, pain-in-the-posterior—”
“Bangin’ posterior.”
“—women. Okay, enough, Archer.”
Daemon sat upright, giving the appearance that he was a long way from being defeated.As long as she doesn’t cry and I keep my hands off her.
“We’ve got a good four hours before we land in London. Get some sleep. I’ll man the comms,” Archer said.
Daemon stood and stretched. His back muscles pulled tight; Daemon released a groan as he fought against the constriction. Archer was right. He needed rest if he wanted to remain sharp on the job—and alert to the tempting Zuri. “I want to know the minute Parker and the team check in. And if you hear from David—”
“We got it,” Blaine said. “We’ll wake you, don’t worry.”
Daemon looked at each man, grateful they had his back, even though he didn’t deserve it. No matter how far apart his team was, they’d always be one man down. “Thanks, guys.”
“Don’t dream of Zuri,” Archer added as Daemon walked away.
Pretty sure that’s exactly what Archer wanted him to do—and if a fantasy was all Daemon could get of Zuri, he’d take it.
CHAPTERNINE
Zuri had never been happier to get off a plane. Although they had traveled in style, she felt like a prisoner trapped in a gilded cage. It had messed with her mind. When the cabin doors opened, she pushed past Daemon and exited first, much to Daemon’s displeasure.We’re in America! No one’s going to harm me, she thought as she shirked his protocol.
Warm air slapped her in the face on the airstairs. The smell of engine fueled turned her stomach, but not as much as the man on her heels, his hand resting on her back to keep her steady.Just finalize deals with allies and get back to Bendola. Then you’ll never have to see him again!
She’d slept little for the remainder of the flight to London, her mind replaying the shame of Daemon’s rejection. She had practically begged him to kiss her; snuggled in his arms, staring at his lips. Hours of self-condemnation kept the experience fresh in her thoughts and sleep at bay. By the time the plane’s wheels had touched the ground in London, Zuri had resolved to speak as little to Daemon as possible. That meant staying in her room for the duration of the transatlantic portion of the journey to Washington, DC. Not quite the mature choice; thankfully, a headache forced her to sleep, and she now felt rested and ready to continue leading the resistance to victory.I want to go home!
A car waited to take them to the terminal building. Outside stood several towering men, muscles bulging, and sporting matching ear pieces. They looked like a well-paid security team.
“Zuri,” Daemon started, sweeping his arm, “meet more agents of Knight Shield.” Zuri counted about five men. “Not all of them,” Daemon continued. “But these guys are going to make sure we get you to the next point.”
Dark shades hid their gazes. Zuri nodded and offered the men a smile. A couple of them returned her silent greeting while others moved to the two SUVs that flanked the center one. Daemon opened the back passenger door of the center SUV and ushered her inside.
After receiving her entry paperwork from the state department officials in the terminal building, Daemon escorted her back to the car for the long drive out to the city of Ashburn, Virginia.
“I thought we were staying in DC,” Zuri asked when they settled into the car. She was unfamiliar with the name ‘Ashburn.’ It sounded like a city on fire.
“Trust me, you’ll be more comfortable at my headquarters.”
“Doubtful,” she muttered.
Daemon chuckled. “You still don’t trust me. That skepticism is about to be put to bed.”
Zuri’s eyes shot to Daemon’s when he mentioned bed. His bicep brushed against her as the car drove over a bump in the road. Heat shot up her neck, the image of a large bed entering her mind. Before her imagination put herself in that bed with Daemon, she focused her gaze out the window and to the beautiful cluster of green trees that lined the roadway leading away from the airport. Bendola sported lush greenery the more one traveled inland. The similar beauty of nature calmed Zuri’s restless spirit.
On the drive, Zuri attempted to reach David for an update about her father’s body and the rebellion’s morale. When they reached Ashburn about fifteen minutes later, David still hadn’t responded. She tempered her impatience; David had a lot to deal with and needed time to answer.
The car entered up a drive and the house that stretched before them distracted her. The vehicle stopped and Daemon offered his hand, which she accepted without thinking. When she exited the car, her eyes widened at the sight in front of her. No tall buildings. No sounds of people’s voices, only the calls of birds and other wildlife. It was nothing she had ever expected.
“I can protect you better in a more secluded location. Not that I can’t do it in the city, but the crowds increase the difficulty of keeping you safe. Knight Shield headquarters gives us that privacy.”
She continued to stare.
Daemon put his hand on her lower back, gently nudging her forward. “Welcome home, Princess,” he whispered into her ear. “At least for the time being.”
