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It was probably best to cut her losses now. She’d pay Alex out for the month, and find a different bodyguard, one who would work with her rather than clash with her.
Except.
She owed this to James. He had nearly died trying to protect her. Giving his sister a start in her career was the least Elizabeth could do. She didn’t feel right about firing Alex, as much as she may want to.
No, she’d just have to stick it out. Alex would learn. Even the stubbornest of people learned from experience. Once Alex figured out that she couldn’t push Elizabeth around, things would get better.
At least, she hoped they would.
Elizabeth returned to the house half an hour later feeling barely calmer than she had before she left. She really needed to get away from Alex and have some time to herself, but time to herself was a thing of the past, at least until the police caught her attacker.
“Let’s go visit James.” Quite apart from Elizabeth wanting to see him, maybe seeing her brother would mellow some of Alex’s bad mood.
“Sure.” She did sound a little less annoyed, at least.
The visit turned out to be uneventful, as James was deeply asleep, and neither of them wanted to disturb his rest.
“Here is the address for the event tonight. Do you want to check it out beforehand?” Elizabeth figured James’ bedside was a good place to have this conversation; it would preclude the possibility of them starting another shouting match, at least.
Alex pursed her lips but didn’t argue. “I don’t want to leave you alone while I check it out, but I’ll go on google maps to look at the entrances and exits and I’ll contact the building security to have some checks done and put some things in place. Once we’re there, I’ll have a more thorough look.”
Elizabeth nodded, her eyes on James. She wondered when he would wake up, and if he could hear them. He was still in critical condition, but he hadn’t worsened, which the doctors said was a good sign.
They stayed for almost an hour, mostly not talking, each lost in their own thoughts.
“We need to get going,” Elizabeth said eventually. “We need to start getting ready for the speech. Do you have something appropriate to wear?”
Alex glanced down at herself. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. “Can’t I wear this?”
Elizabeth resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “No, you can’t. I can lend you a dress.”
“No way. I can’t wear a dress.”
Elizabeth looked at her lean athletic body, tan skin and casual style. She had a fair point there. Alex would look awkward as hell in a dress. “Smart dress pants and a blouse, then.”
“Stretch pants would be best for maneuverability.”
“I don’t think I own stretch pants.”
Alex gave her an incredulous look. “Who doesn’t own stretch pants?”
“They’re not very chic, are they?”
“They’re not supposed to be chic, they’re supposed to be comfortable. What do you wear to bed?”
Why is she asking me what I wear to bed?
“Silk night gowns.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “You do know that no one can see you when you sleep, right? You don’t need to be the perfectly dressed politician in bed.”
“It’s just what I feel comfortable in.” Elizabeth loved the feeling of silk against her skin.
“Sure. I’ll borrow your pants and a blouse if you think they will fit. When I get my first paycheck, we’ll need to go shopping. I think I need to pick out my ownappropriateclothes.”
Elizabeth smiled, she was getting her own way at last. She knew Alex was a more finely muscled, lean and athletic shape than her and the clothes would hang differently on her and perhaps a bit loosely, but they would do.
“I can take you shopping tomorrow, if you’d like. I’m happy to buy the clothes for you, given that I’m the one insisting you dress a certain way.”
