Page 75 of Guarding Zuri
Zuri!
If David was here, that meant Zuri had to be alive. Didn’t it? Daemon’s nerves settled. David wouldn’t leave Zuri—not after he had promised to keep her safe. “What are you doing here? Where’s Zuri? The team—are they still here?” Daemon struggled to sit up, groaning at the pain in his chest. Lucky shot missed his vest and came in through his underarm. Those were the worst. “Does this hospital not believe in medication?” He would have to call one of his men to sneak him in some medicine.
David moved swiftly to Daemon’s bedside. He put his hands on Daemon’s shoulders. “Try not to move so much. You were shot in the chest. The bullet bounced around a lot in there, nicking your lungs. It’s a miracle you survived.”
“I’ve been shot before,” Daemon protested, pushing against David’s hands. “Took a bullet for you, if I remember correctly.”
“You did, and I will forever be grateful.”
Daemon was determined to sit upright. He felt more vulnerable lying down. David gave up and took a seat. Daemon set two eyes on him, looking at his friend through slits. He’d do anything for David, but he’d kill him if Zuri wasn’t safe. “You shouldn’t be here,” he said in a dangerously low tone.
David cocked his head to one side and gave Daemon a bored look. “You’re in no condition to do anything about it.”
“You think I’m going to let that stop me?”
David offered a small smile. “No. I think you’ll do anything for her. Anything at all.”
“You’re right.”
“What happened to not falling for your client?”
No reason to keep up pretenses. His tenure as Zuri’s bodyguard was over, anyway. “None of them were ever her.” He let his head fall back against the pillows and he stared at the plain, white ceiling.
David scanned Daemon’s face. “Good answer.”
“Doesn’t matter, anyway. The second I handed her to you, the contract was done. She made it clear she didn’t want to see me again.” His heart twinged with jealousy for his friend. He could see Zuri every day. “You still haven’t given me one,” Daemon growled as fire lit his stomach and he met David’s gaze. “What are you doing here? Where’s Zuri?” And where were his men? He needed to get to a phone immediately. Was his cell even charged?
“Do you believe I’d be here if she wasn’t safe?”
“Where is she?”
“She’s in the presidential palace. Where all the policymakers are.”
“Already? That was fast.”
“She’s been there for several days now. The country is holding a special election for the new president. She has a challenger, but most of the people will vote for her.”
Daemon smiled. His princess was going to be president of an entire nation. He couldn’t be more proud. That meant she was busy fulfilling her purpose.It’s easier to forget about people when you have work to do.
She didn’t need him anymore and had more than enough protection. She had done everything he had asked; focused on freeing her country, and now she was going to lead it. “When’s the election?”
“A week from tomorrow.”
“You said I’ve been out for days?”
David nodded.
Daemon’s pulse sped up. “How many?”
“Four. You also hit your head. Not sure how. Maybe when you fell after being shot. We weren’t sure when you would wake up.”
That explained the pounding.Probably hit it on concrete.He’d been concussed before. If this knock put him in a coma for a few days, then he would have to be careful. The next time, he might not wake up.Good thing I’ll be a CEO and not doing security.He wouldn’t pass his own physical.
“I’m supposed to be in DC.”
“Your father knows. Roland told him you were delayed. Your father got concerned.”
“Don’t tell me he’s here.” The man had two months to live.He should be resting!“I’m okay. Did you tell him I was fine?”
