Page 148 of The Unlikely Pair
I cut him off. “Harry, it’s your bodyguard, it’s your bodyguard.”
Harry blinks. “I beg your pardon?”
“The person who betrayed us to the terrorists. He said ‘ready to roll’ to you, just like Kade did, remember? And his watch is identical to Kade’s.”
Even as I say the words in a hysterical rush, I’m aware of how flimsy my evidence is.
Harry’s face is skeptical. “I’m sure Paul was fully investigated by the MI5 and the Counter Terrorism Command.”
“Well, they missed it.”
“That’s a large hunch to put on a few coincidences.” Harry’s eyebrows draw together.
“I know.” I don’t say anything else. I just wait.
Harry lets out a breath. “You really think there is something here?”
“Yes.”
He looks at me searchingly. Then he nods. “All right. We’ll alert someone right away.”
“I’m walking back to the Chamber with you after the recess. I’m not leaving you alone. I don’t care what it looks like to anyone else. Then, as soon as you’re safely inside, I’ll slip out and alert the authorities.”
Nothing matters but keeping Harry safe.
He gives a sharp nod. “All right.”
“It’s a pity there’s no sharpened sticks around here,” I say. “Then I’d completely back you to defend yourself.”
Harry throws me a half-smile, and my stomach does a flip that has nothing to do with the potential situation with his bodyguard.
Chapter Forty-Three
Harry
As I walk down to the Commons Chamber, my heart races for two distinctly different reasons.
Toby’s fear has infected me, and I can’t help but flick a glance back at Paul, who looks like his usual capable, professional self, striding a few feet behind me. It’s chilling to think the very man I trust with my life could be the person who betrayed Toby and me.
But the potential threat to my security isn’t the only thing preoccupying my mind.
Toby.
My mind throbs with his name. Kissing him in the lavatory felt like the most honest, genuine thing I’ve ever done in my life.
I meant what I said. Toby is a necessity. No matter how cold or hungry I was in the wilderness, I never craved food or warmth as much as I crave Toby now.
United with him in this potential situation with Paul reminds me of why he is such a necessity for me, how far it extends past my physical want for him.
Toby believes Paul is a threat, so I believe it. I trust Toby more than I have ever trusted anyone.
The halls of Westminster are usually a place of comfort for me. But today, as I walk through them towards the Chamber surrounded by my colleagues and Toby, they feel foreign, hostile, the echoes of our footsteps providing an ominous beat.
The irony of the situation does not elude me. Here I am, about to engage in a verbal sparring match with the government while a larger, different conflict is potentially playing out.
I straighten my spine, squaring my shoulders as we reach the security checkpoint at the entrance to the Members’ Lobby. This is always where the parliamentary security officers take over from personal bodyguards.
“Thank you, Paul,” I manage to say my usual farewell to him.
