Page 24 of The Bodyguard

Congressional families didn’t receive security unless there was a threat. Then Sawyer realized that the Sorenson gaggle was missing people. “Where is Sorenson’s security detail anyway?”

“Haven’t seen much of them.” Jared shook his head. “I think this political stunt was very much under the radar.”

Someone rapped on the door. Sawyer jumped as though he’d been caught gossiping. Angela walked in, expression unreadable, as if he and Jared weren’t waiting for her personal family drama to wrap. “I’m sorry that took so long.”

Boss Man glanced at his watch. “It’s been less than ten minutes.”

She lifted her shoulders. “You gave us a countdown clock of five minutes.” Angela sat in the chair next to Sawyer. “Can we talk?”

“Sure,” Jared said.

Sawyer stood. “I’ll let you—”

“No.” She waved him back into his chair. “I’d like to talk to both of you.”

Shit. Worry pooled in the pit of his stomach. Sawyer glanced from her to Jared then reclaimed his chair. Anxiety needled through his veins. If Angela bailed on Titan to marry Paul… She wouldn’t. Would she? No… Still, nervous energy rioted in his chest like his heart wanted to escape into his throat.

Angela smoothed a hand over her skirt and took a long breath. “I want to know the details of Pham’s negotiations.”

That was not what Sawyer thought she would say. His eyes darted from Angela to Jared.

“We can get you that.” Jared rested his elbows on his desk and laced his fingers. “What else?”

Sawyer repositioned himself on the stuffy office chair. He wanted Angela to discuss the more important topics of marriage and leaving Titan.

“If there’s someone else kept captive like me…” She rolled her lips together and inhaled slowly through her nose like she didn’t want to get sick. “If Pham has someone else out there, I want to help find her.”

“We don’t know the person’s a woman,” Jared pointed out, not addressing her request.

“She’s a woman. Everyone beside me was tortured and killed. If Pham kept her, she’s a woman.” Angela paused. “Just like his daughter.”

All the FBI profilers in the world couldn’t have an inside track on Tran Pham like Angela did. But Sawyer wasn’t sure that she was correct. “Pham’s done a lot of harm to a lot of people, men and women.”

Jared nodded and leaned back in his chair. “You can’t discount that this could all be bullshit. Delay tactics until they find you.”

Her lips pressed into a thin, angry line. “Well, my mother helped Pham with that one.”

Sawyer’s molars ground. Endangering Angela’s life, trying to marry her off for political clout? That mother-daughter relationship was one he couldn’t fathom.

“Speaking of her and”—Jared thumbed toward the office wall—“her entourage…”

This was what Sawyer needed to talk about. His stomach turned. Angela wouldn’t marry Paul. She couldn’t. Sawyer was just asking her if she wanted to date the guy. Now marriage was on the table?

“Am I gonna hear wedding bells anytime soon?” Jared asked.

“No.” Irritation furrowed in her brow. “Absolutely not.”

Relief spread through Sawyer’s chest. Of course she wouldn’t do it. But the idea that she might, that there was even the slightest chance she would cut bait and head to the US, was too much.

Jared chuckled as though the proposal were low-key comedy. “How’d the kid take it?”

Sawyer ran a hand through his hair. Thank God for Boss Man asking the questions. He didn’t trust himself to remain as calm as Jared.

“For starters, we’re not together anymore.”

Another flood of relief calmed Sawyer’s nerves. The corners of his mouth lifted. This was great. She didn’t need that kind of man dragging her down.

“Paul can hash out a new political strategy with my mom. I want nothing to do with it.”

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