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“Wait.” I held up my hand. “She’s fine. She’s in her studio.”
Now he stopped cold. “Does she know you’re telling me this?”
I shook my head.
“But she’s okay?”
“Yes, Mr. Girard. I swear.”
“Trying to get back in my good graces?” He crossed the room to a table that held crystal tumblers and an almost empty bottle of Maker’s Mark, poured a glass, and looked me over. “You broke your promise to me in the first week of your employment. The only reason you’re still here is because Hallie drives a hard bargain.”
“No, sir. Hallie is the priority. The protocol needs to change. I’m the only person here who can see the same things she can, besides Poe, and they aren’t on speaking terms.” That you know about.
He took a drink. “Your reserves. How many are there?”
“Four.”
“I have to go out of town for a couple of days. I was content to leave Hallie in the care of my security staff, since that’s the way we usually handle things, but I don’t think that’s going to cut it.” He rubbed his upper lip. Took another drink. Paced. “I can hire all the bodyguards I want, but they don’t know the players or the stakes, and there’s an advantage to numbers.”
“I’m not sure I understand what you mean, sir.”
“Are your friends male or female?”
“Two of each.”
He nodded. “We have three fully equipped guest rooms, as long as you don’t mind doubling up.”
I did the math and frowned. “That’s six—”
“I want you and Poe here, too.”
Suddenly, I was really glad he hadn’t guessed the nature of the relationship between Hallie and me.
“There will still be security, and the ladies will be located very far away from the gentlemen, but if all of you can see what she can, then you can try to protect her from it. I’ll be in touch with the guards while I’m gone. If things don’t stay aboveboard, I’ll reassess.”
I knew, in this case, reassess meant I’d be fired, and if he found out about Hallie and me, possibly castrated.
“Yes, sir,” I said.
“Take care of my daughter.”
“I’ll guard her with my life.”
Chapter 16
Hallie
Dune was in my dad’s office. I just hoped I would hear the ambulance over the music.
Since I was alone, I decided on a quick session of warm-ups. The familiar routine usually allowed me to leave myself behind, just for a while. I tried to let my mind float, but Dune eased his way in, keeping me anchored.
Even so, I let out a shriek when I saw him at the window.
I opened the door and waved him inside. “You’re not dead. That’s good.”
“Are there cameras in here?” he asked.
“Not in the changing room.”
