Page 31 of Protecting You

She’d known, theoretically, that terrorists had been behind the attack.

But now she had a face to go with the story, a man who’d affected a very believable British accent. A man who’d hired her, been friendly with her.

Targeted her.

“It’s no coincidence, Alyssa. Ghazi is smart, and he knows our family.”

“How? How could you let that happen?” She’d allowed all her fear and frustration to seep into her voice. Shouldn’t a CIA agent be better at hiding his identity?

Michael hadn’t appreciated the implication. He’d told her a story about old friends of Jasmine's who’d needed help, and Derrick jumping in, and Iraqi nationals who snuck across the border and…

“I’m not getting into the details,” Michael had said. “And I’m not blaming anyone. The point is, whatever Ghazi’s plotting, you’re involved. I’m going to book us a flight out of here?—”

“Absolutely not. You’re on your honeymoon.”

“You’re in danger, and it’s my fault.”

“You just said it’s not your fault. It was Derrick and Jasmine who led them to us.”

“Because of?—”

“It doesn’t matter, Michael. You’re not coming back. I’m safe right now. I’m with Callan Templeton.”

“He’s a good guy. Trust him.”

She’d managed to stifle her groan enough that Michael hadn't heard it over the phone. But she could put up with Callan if it meant not ruining Michael and Leila’s honeymoon.

“And anyway, if worse comes to worse, I could call Dad.”

“Yeah, well…” Michael’s hesitation had her heart thumping.

“What?”

“I’m not sure Uncle Gavin can help you with this one, even if he wants to. I’m not saying don’t call him, but I’d rather you stick with Callan and reach out to me if you need help.”

What did that mean? Dad knew everybody in the intelligence community. He had money and contacts.

She knew it wasn’t true, but in her head, her father could do anything.

“Call me if you need me,” Michael had said. “I can get on the first flight, but it’ll take some time. Maybe we should just head?—”

“Don’t you dare. I’m safe. I’ll let you know if anything changes. If you cut your honeymoon short because of this, I’ll never help you with anything again.”

“So youwantme to come home,” he’d joked, “to give you an excuse.”

She’d forced a laugh, trying to sound more confident than she felt. But his words resonated even now.

“Whatever Ghazi’s plotting, you’re involved.”

She finished drying her hair and added some makeup because… Well, not because of Callan. Just because she didn’t know what else to do.

All she wanted was to beuninvolved in Ghazi’s schemes.

As long as she could remember, she’d wanted entrance into her father’s world of intrigue and spies, a world he’d willingly helped Michael become a part of. But she’d been denied again and again. And now, against her will, she’d been sucked in, not as an agent. Not even as an analyst, like she had been before she’d quit the NSA.

Nope.

Alyssa had somehow become a victim.

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