Page 34 of The Rough Ride

That’s exactly why he needed her now.

“Could you be here by tomorrow morning? What if I bookyou a first-class flight to Dulles or National later today? I’ll send a limo to pick you up.”Please, I can’t deal with these kids.She’d be an entertaining fit for the Richardsons.

“I’d love to, sugar, but I told you after I passed that grueling physical of yours that I’m not available until Tuesday. Bodyguard duty for two movie stars on vacation. I can’t just drop them and ruin my rep.”

Ah, crap.He’d forgotten about her date restrictions.

“I understand. I’ll call you with work once you’re home, or are you already committed going forward?”

“No commitments just yet. You know, cutie-pie, you sound so tense. I wish you’d take me up on my friends-with-benefits offer. I’d have you purring in no time.”

Nick rolled his eyes. Lana was like an older sister but didn’t look a day over thirty. She had the martial arts skills of a samurai and could pin him to the mat in three moves. Four, max. “I’m taken, Lana. Enjoy the sun. Don’t exhaust too many Hawaiians and leave a little something for the other tourists. Catch you later.”

“Kisses, handsome.” She disconnected the call.

Replacing Derek and Mason would be difficult because they were irreplaceable. They excelled every day, manned the security office in the house, kept up with the hourly checks on the security, and somehow found the time to join Natalie’s daily tea parties, escort Angie to appointments, and Derek even had the teenager, Lindsay, smirking at his jokes and calling himboss. Derek and Mason made the damn-near-impossible look easy.

Maybe the Sanctuary, Inc. guys could help. Nick had certainly volunteered plenty of times to help the private rescue organization. He placed a call to Mac Mackenzie, the guy in charge, who answered on the second ring.

“Mackenzie speaking.”

“Mac, it’s Nick Flannery.”

“You got an assignment for us?”

“Not a legit rescue, but I could use some help. I’m short-staffed with Senator Richardson’s family this weekend. Do you know of anyone who wants to work?”

Mac’s reply was clipped and quick. “Describe short-staffed.”

Nick cleared his throat. “Primary bodyguard is on family leave. Secondary just got called up by the National Guard. I’m no good with kids. I’d like someone who’s dealt with children before to handle the day shift for a week or two.”

“Is the senator’s family in jeopardy?”

“No, everything’s good. I’m just putting feelers out for someone who’s kid-friendly.”

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air for a few seconds. “Because you don’t want to be around the kids?”

Nick turned the ceiling fan on. It was hot in his office. “Icanbe around the kids, but I’m thinking they’d be happier with someone less intimidating.”

Mac heaved a deep breath. “Yeah. I know you’ve got this thing about kids. Remember the orphanage we guarded in Guatemala for four days?”

“Of course.” How could he forget?Didn’t keep food down the entire time.

“You were kind of amazing, bro. If I remember correctly, it was you who loaded each one of those kids into choppers while we were under fire. They all survived and landed in Miami. You underestimate yourself, Nick. I’d trust you with my life.”

Nick took a slug of his coffee. “Thanks, man. The feeling’s mutual.”

“If it isn’t a rescue team you need, I’m really hesitant to light up everyone’s burner phone on a holiday weekend. Now, if things go south, call me back. Better safe than sorry.”

Nick fidgeted with the paper clips on his desk. “Okay. I understand. No problem.”

“Did you get the wedding invitation?”

“Oh, yeah. Thanks. I’ll send my RSVP soon.”

“Make sure to bring yourplus one, bro. And remember, if you get in a sticky situation, call me back.”

“Gotcha. Thanks.” He disconnected the call.Well, that was that.

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