Page 69 of Guarding Zuri
“Daemon, we Bendolans are a proud people. They would see my return as triumphant. That I want to fight alongside them. Share in the victory when we win.” He didn’t argue that the outcome was uncertain, which Zuri took as a good sign. “I know you are good at your job. Ibelieveyou can protect me. You’ll get me to David.”
His lips dipped into a slanted smile. “Are you giving Knight Shield a good review after terminating our contract?”
“I speak the truth as I see it.” And she kept the rest of what she was feeling inside—that she wanted him to stay in Bendola, with her.
He shook his head, his eyes growing darker and more intense the longer they stared into hers. “That’s just it, Princess. I don’t believe that.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
It didn’t matter how much money he had, how many boats he could charter, or how many planes he had waiting on standby, he’d risk it all if he could just know what Zuri was hiding. He watched her from across the aisle. She had her head down, reading the news reports his analysts had compiled regarding what was happening on the ground in Bendola. The coup had started, and for the next few hours, Bendola would be the most dangerous place in all of eastern Africa.
Fifty hours.
Zuri had full confidence in him, and that had only made his heart swell with too much love for her. And then dread had filled him the moment they were wheels up. The same feeling he had before his team went on a mission that nearly cost them David’s life, but hadn’t spared a third of the team. Whatever they were about to do, it wouldn’t end well.
“Daemon? Are you listening?”
Blaine sat across from him with tablets and paperwork on a table between them. They were working on last-minute hand-off details with Parker and the team on the ground. David would be there with extra security, but they couldn’t narrow down the site. Things were too dynamic—and that made Daemon nervous. He’d never lost a client before, and he would die before he’d let anything happen to Zuri. Not because he’d made a promise to her father, but because he had promised her.
He tore his eyes from her form and collapsed back in his seat. He squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. If only he could convince her to travel to Switzerland. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
Blaine cut his gaze to Zuri and then back to Daemon. “You’re going to miss her.”
“I have to get her to David before I can miss her.”
“You will.”
“I’m not so sure.” Daemon picked up his tablet and used his fingerprint to unlock the device. The screen illuminated to Parker’s latest intelligence report. Parker had established a live feed of the most important activities to keep Daemon’s team abreast of the situation.
“You think we need more men?” Blaine asked.
“Even if we have an army, I’m not sure that would be enough.”
“Then we’ll have to do what we do best. Sneak in.”
“In the middle of a coup?”
“Should be interesting, but not impossible.”
Daemon laughed. “You always say that.”
“And it’s always true.”
“Did you have a chance to look over the dossier about the reporter?”
The reporter. The next security contract. Daemon eyed Blaine curiously. Nothing but the tick in the back of Blaine’s jaw indicated how he felt about this new assignment. Daemon steeled himself for what was next.
“You had to set me up with my ex, didn’t you?” Blaine’s sharp gaze sliced at Daemon. “Very funny.”
“It wasn’t meant to be. But I figured, if she was in trouble, you’d want to be the one to handle it. Besides, the senator asked for you by name.”
“Her father?”
“The fact that he wants you on the job after you dumped his daughter says something.”
“I didn’t dump her. I told you this.”
“Is that how it happened?”
