Page 26 of Guarding Zuri
“Mr. Knight, this isn’t a vacation for me. Gohi will think he’s won, if I’m not fighting. I understand there are people here I can speak to and partnerships I can create to help Bendola’s future, but that won’t replace what I was born to do. What I’ve pledgedmy lifeto do. And that’s fight alongside my people until we see freedom. I plan on returning to Bendola. Very soon.”
“You do? Care to let me know the date? I’ll mark it on my calendar.”
“You think I’m going to stayhere? In America? The fight is in Bendola! How can I lead a rebellion from a hot tub?”
His head toggled from side to side in mocking consideration. “You have a point. Not good for branding at all.”
“Please plan for me to return as soon as possible.”
“That’s going to be difficult, Zuri. My men on the ground say tensions have escalated since the attack on the meeting the other day. Your father’s death has been international news. Parker’s sent over another intelligence report. If you’d like to see it before dinner, I can have it sent to your room. Skirmishes have broken out in several cities. Fights between citizens and the EG have escalated. Whether you like it or not, it’s too hot to show your face.”
“All the more reason for me to be there! I have to lead them.”
“They would be too concerned about your safety. At the risk of losing you, they’d sacrifice men needed for the fight.”
She shook her head. “I’m not worth more than any of them.”
“I’ll give you points for humility, but after what happened to your father? Good luck telling them not to keep you safe. The answer is no. Don’t forget, David is there.”
“You’ve spoken to David? I messaged him after we landed in London and nothing.”
Daemon didn’t address her question. “He knows more about leading from his time in the military than—”
“Me?” she snapped. “You think because I have spent no time in uniform that I don’t have a clue what I’m doing?” She stepped forward, her shoe hitting his. She’d forgotten the small size of the compartment. If he held up his arms, she would be in his embrace. Eyes narrowed, she said, “Let me remind you I have been training for this moment for years. My father taught me well.”
He straightened and their legs connected. His eyes sparked with icy defense while her thighs burned. “I have no doubt, Princess. And I’m waiting to see those leadership skills, by the way. Since we’ve met, you’ve done nothing but reject solid intelligence, disobey my orders—”
“Disobey!”
“—and make my job of protecting you harder than it needs to be.”
He put his hands on his hips, drawing Zuri’s gaze to his waist. Her five-eight height shrunk the longer her eyes dragged up his massive torso. Her heart thumped against her ribs. The thought of his biceps encircling her evoked butterflies in her stomach. The memory of their almost-kiss birthed warm tingles that raced up and down her spine, causing trembling. Her lower jaw slacked, and she snapped it shut immediately. She was not asking for him to kiss her. Her body couldn’t be trusted around this man. She backed away until her back connected with the opposite wall. Which floor was her room on? How slow was this elevator?
“Will you do what I asked,” she entreated hoarsely.
He smirked. “Did you ask? It sounded more like a demand. And although I promised your father I’d take care of you, I didn’t promise that I would do whatever you wanted.” He stroked his stubbled chin. “I believe that’s why your father hired me, other than on David’s recommendation.” His eyes glinted with unadulterated pleasure. “Bayo knew you’d need a protector who wouldn’t bend to your will.”
The elevator door opened, bringing in a rush of cool air that chilled the sweat on Zuri’s neck and chest.You have to stop feeling this way!The last time she lost herself to a man,mother paid the price.
“I’m the one protecting you, so I call the shots,” she heard Daemon say. He gestured for her to step out first. “After you, Princess.”
She stalked past him and made a turn down a hallway, not caring where she was going. As long as it was away fromhim.
“Eh, wrong way, Princess. Have you been here before?” Daemon chuckled.
Zuri halted and faced him. His grin infuriating with his straight, white teeth, gleaming with victory. She couldn’t wait to leave this place. To leave him. How was she supposed to help lead her people if she was holed up here, soaking in a hot tub? No one would characterize her as spoiled, but a powerful urge to stomp her foot and demand respect almost won her over. A free Bendola had meant so much to her father—her mother, too. She couldn’t let their deaths be for nothing.I can’t be here enjoying what wealth has to offer when my people are suffering.
Daemon opened the door to her room. It was decorated in a soft feminine style, with an arched headboard and a light pink quilt at the foot of the bed. A painting easel sat in one corner with fresh paper on it and paintbrushes on a nearby stand. An overstuffed armchair draped by a light gray chunky knit blanket caught the light from a nearby window. Zuri’s nerves relaxed, the sweet fragrance from a burning candle on the nightstand calming her racing thoughts.
Was he considerate enough to light a candle? Did he think she had artistic abilities? She couldn’t draw at all, but seeing the readied space had her believing she could take up the relaxing activity.
“This was my mother’s muse room,” Daemon said. “She’d come in here and paint or read. She was pretty good at painting.” He gestured to the watercolor landscape above the bed and a couple of smaller frames on walls around the room. “Those are hers. She painted objects and portraits sometimes, but landscapes were her favorite. I figured you’d enjoy this room and that painting may help you deal with your grief.”
The picture of a tiger’s face drew her shocked gaze away from Daemon’s face. Grand, fierce, with dark eyes that held something Zuri couldn’t distinguish. “And this one?”
“Ah, that’s Odin. He’s a tiger at my mother’s preserve. Hmm.”
“What?”
