Page 11 of Steal My Breath Away

“Haley doesn’t know about all this yet,” she said. “I’m flying to Chicago tomorrow morning to try and convince her to come back to DC with me where we can keep her safe, but—”

“She won’t go.” A statement. Not a question. Haley was too much of a free spirit. There was no way she’d let anyone clip her wings, especially if it involved living with her mother and stepfather.

A smile tugged at her lips. “You know her well, which is why I came to see you. I’m ninety-nine percent sure she won’t leave Havencrest, but I don’t think having a US Marshal following her around is the best solution, especially at college. And you know what Haley’s like…”

Stubborn, willful, capable, independent, and yet at the same time irreverent, funny, and caring. I knew all her qualities. I knew she was fiercely loyal to her friends, trusting of people who often didn’t deserve it, and I shouldn’t know that when she kissed, she kissed with utter abandon. “It would be a challenge.”

Senator Chapman nodded. “The Capitol Police suggested that it might be better to keep Haley’s protection low-key. It would send a message that I’m not afraid of the people behind the threats, but she would be safe, and her day-to-day life wouldn’t be interrupted.”

“They might come for her again if she has no visible protection,” I warned. “You could be putting her at risk.”

“She’s already at risk.” Her shoulders slumped. “I never wanted this for her. I’ve already lost one child. I can’t lose another. I need your help, Ace. I need you to protect her. I’ve come to ask you to be her bodyguard.”

Haley. Bodyguard.My brain couldn’t process the information. Haley was the only woman I had ever wanted and the one woman I couldn’t have. She was my best friend’s little sister, three years younger, and my friend, too, at least until she turned fifteen and my feelings changed into something that could have put a rift between me and Matt. I couldn’t betray him that way. He was the only true friend I’d ever had. He’d saved me, shared his family with me, and he’d had my back more times than I could count. So, I did what I had to do, put a lid on those feelings, and some distance between Haley and me.

“She would never agree,” I blurted out. Haley hated me and I didn’t blame her. The night before Matt and I left home, when I thought I might never see her again, I’d given in to years of temptation and kissed her. Then I ghosted her for four long years. I didn’t see her again until Matt’s funeral. She didn’t speak to me that day, and I didn’t think she ever would. Not only had I kissed her and walked away, I’d broken my promise to bring Matt home safe.

“I’d like to help,” I said. “But—”

“I got in touch with your boss, Tony, this morning,” Senator Chapman continued. “He told me you were only two years into the job, but he considered you one of his best—professional, competent, and very good with difficult clients. Apparently, you’ve developed a stellar reputation in celebrity circles. He said you weretaking some much-needed vacation so he offered me someone else.” She folded her hands on the table. “I don’t want someone else, Ace. I want you.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t do it. Haley and I—”

“You had some kind of falling-out,” she said. “She didn’t tell me the details, but I knew there had to be a reason we never saw you again after you left. And then at Matt’s funeral you didn’t speak to each other. But you were part of our family, Ace. You were a loyal friend to Matt, a joy to have around, an incredible support to all of us when Dave died, and you were always so protective of Haley. I can’t think of anyone I would trust more with her life.”

Fuck.Janice must have been cutting onions in the kitchen before Senator Chapman arrived, because the fumes were affecting my eyes.

“Tony said he’s happy to put you back on duty if you agree, and of course we’ll pay you well.” Consummate politician that she was, she didn’t mention the onions.

I shook my head. “I can recommend three or four good guys from the company. I’ve worked with them before and—”

“I want you,” she said firmly. “I know you, and I know you care about Haley. You understand her in a way few people do. You’re also young enough to blend in on campus. There is no one else.” She reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “I know you and Dave were close. He always thought of you as the rock in our family. I need you to be that rock for us now. If not for me and Haley, for him.”

In the short time I’d known Dave Chapman, he’d been more of a father to me than my own father had been in the thirteen years we’d been together. I’d loved Dave as a father and I’d grieved him. There was nothing I wouldn’t have done for him, or for his family. I couldn’t let them down.

And this was about Haley. The senator was right. There was no one more qualified to protect her than me.

CHAPTER 6Haley

Good morning, Chicago. This isHidden Trackson WJPK, coming to you from Havencrest University. I’m Haley Chapman, and… well, I’m here.

You know those moments when the world suddenly feels a little crazy? When the rhythm of your life skips a beat, and you’re left trying to find your footing? Yeah, it’s been one of those weeks for me.

Today, we’re exploring songs about unexpected moments, about the way life can change in an instant. Our playlist is for anyone who’s ever felt vulnerable or exposed, anyone who’s trying to make sense of a world that sometimes doesn’t make any sense at all.

We’ll start with a track that’s about finding strength when you least expect it and holding on even when you feel like screaming. Remember—even in the darkest moments, music has the power to light the way. Here is Gang of Youths, with “Achilles Come Down.”

Almost two weeks after the incident on Michigan Avenue, I was still shaken. Even my usual trick of burying my emotions in my mental black box wasn’t enough to make the fear go away. I couldn’t be alone. I had to have one of my housemates walk with me on the way to and from school and even then, I jumped every time a white van passed us on the street. I had hoped my weekly radio shows would be a catharsis, but music didn’t do the trick.

“When are we going to talk about it?” Paige asked when I stumbled into the kitchen of the house we shared with four other students after another sleepless night. Unlike me, Paige alwaysmade a proper breakfast. I was a grab-and-go kind of person, basically eating anything portable I found in the fridge.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I forced a laugh. “If you’re referring to the kidnapping thing, I worked it all out during Thursday’s show. It was actually very helpful when my listeners called in to share their experiences of being vulnerable. Those segments really create a sense of community and resilience.”

“I’m not interested in the PR version of the ‘kidnapping thing.’” She emphasized the last two words with air quotes. “I’m interested in the version where you share how you feel.”

“I feel great.”

“So great that you’re missing class?” She lifted an eyebrow in censure. “It’s ironic that you can use what you’ve learned in your psychology classes to help your friends, and yet you can’t analyze yourself. Don’t you get tired of holding it all inside? It was a terrifying experience. It’s okay to cry or to be angry or to admit that you’re scared, instead of pretending it never happened and telling us that you just want someone to talk to on the way to and from class. I was on the phone with my mom for two hours just getting it all out there and I felt so much better afterwards.”

---