Page 25 of Jack

Chapter Ten

Astrid had thoughtshe knew what Jack did, but as the tour moved from Cyprus to Canada she realised that she’d had no idea what went into this kind of thing. She’d hardly seen him since the attack on the beach the night before and her chest tightened slightly at the loss. Oh, from afar she’d seen him talking to his men, to the Queen’s private secretary Fitz, and even the Queen herself but as the day wore on, he looked more and more tired.

Even as she moved about the cabin during the flight Jack was in constant motion. A couple of hours before they landed he sat in the seat beside her looking exhausted. She realised despite being dead on his feet, with shadows under his eyes and the slight stubble of beard on his chin, he was still handsome.

He lifted her hand in his, and she glanced around to see if anyone was looking. She wasn’t ashamed of what was happening with her and Jack. It was more the fact she didn’t even know what was going on. Their chemistry was off the charts, and the more she got to know him, the more she realised he wasn’t the uptight asshole he’d tried to portray himself as being. He was sweet and thoughtful and sensitive, which were all words she never thought she’d say in relation to this man.

His thumb rubbed over the pulse in her wrist as his eyes moved over her face. “Are you okay? I haven’t had time to check in with you and make sure you’re all right after last night.”

Astrid tilted her head towards him. “I’m a big girl, Jack. You don’t need to babysit me.” She swept her free hand around the cabin of the luxury plane, indicating everything. “God knows you have enough to do already.”

Jack bent his head closer, and she found herself pinned in place by his intense gaze. “I’m not trying to babysit you, firefly. I want to know that you’re okay because it eases the knot inside my chest every time I think about you at the hands of that monster.”

Astrid felt her heart beat faster at his admission that he was worried about her and wanted to ease the pain she could see on his face. Cradling his cheek with her free hand, she wanted to feel that stubble between her thighs and the imagery made her clench them together. “I’m fine, Jack. It’s taken a long time to get here, but I’m okay now. I’m just angry they found me.”

He turned his face into her palm; his lips brushing against her skin, his eyes closing. He had long, dark lashes and a strong manly brow which was usually pulled into a frown, but now it was relaxed. “We’ll find out how they found you and help you handle it, firefly.”

He pressed his lips to her palm, and she leaned in close, feeling the quietness of the cabin surrounding them as everyone else slept, getting rest while they could. “Why firefly?”

His eyes popped open, and he pulled away, a sexy smirk on his handsome face as he leaned back in his seat, keeping his other hand in hers still. “Because you’re beautiful like one and throw light and life wherever you go.”

“That is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Yeah? Well don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to think of.”

“Should have thought of that before, Jackie boy.”

His eyes that had been closing popped open at the nickname she’d used. “Jackie boy? Boy? Do I look like a boy to you?”

His look of indignation was adorable, and while she may have found it scary before, now she found it cute because she knew there was no heat or anger directed her way. “Well, until I see different…” She shrugged her shoulders and grinned at him.

Jack shook his head and closed his eyes. “Pain in my ass.”

Moments later, he was out, and she could see his breathing even out as his body succumbed to the need for sleep.

The arrival process was no less stressful than the departure, and although it proceeded like a well-oiled machine, Astrid could feel the team’s tension. Ensuring the Queen and Duke had excellent security in place yet making it feel relaxed was a massive undertaking. Especially with at least two known threats to the team.

If she thought it wouldn’t piss him off, she’d suggest leaving so she could handle her business. But Jack would take that as a slight and the truth was, she didn’t want to go. She wanted to stay, as much to watch his back as to be with him over the next seven weeks. Plus, she’d grown fond of the Queen and wanted to make sure she was protected from any loons who would do her harm.

Gunner and Waggs had gone ahead to make sure the Queen’s suite was clear and the hotel was ready. Astrid had been to Toronto before and loved it but had never stayed at the Bainbridge Royal Hotel before. It was the Queen’s hotel of choice every time she travelled to Toronto, as it had been for her parents and her and grandmother before her.

She knew the hotel’s logistics put extra strain on the team to ensure her safety, as there were more outsides factors in play—like other guests and more hotel staff.

The cars rolled up and having changed on the plane, Astrid was now playing her role of Miss Caroline Simmons, lady in waiting.

Delight lit her face when they walked through the doors of the hotel and she saw Bebe, her friend and fellow Zenobi colleague, in the foyer standing well back from the circus that was their arrival. She also saw Zack Cunningham and Daniel Thompson from Fortis. She’d known they’d be joining them as Zin and Jace had arrived yesterday in Cyprus to give them extra cover and would provide help for the rest of the tour.

Astrid felt eyes on her and saw Jack in her peripheral vision watching her, the warmth of his gaze seeping through the fabric of her dress like a caress.

Once the hotel manager had fawned over the royal guests, he led them to an elevator that would be strictly for their use only and showed them to the rooms they’d be using on the top floor. This floor at least was secure as it was only accessed by those cleared by Eidolon. They, along with the Fortis guys, would be on guard at all the exits.

With Queen Lydia in her own room taking afternoon tea and resting before her reception that night, Astrid let Decker show her to her room to keep up appearances for anyone that might be watching.

“Thank you, Deck.”

“My pleasure. Jack will be having a meeting with the entire team in two hours to go over the plan for the next few days and how Fortis will fit into that.”

“Which room?”