Page 63 of Caleb
“Mmm,” is all I say.
It was a long, vodka-less night of convincing myself that I was not getting fired, and I actually believed it, but now that he’s saying it out loud, I’m back to square one. Back to thinking Ambassador Murphy hates my guts or had a change of heart and decided his daughter will no longer have a security detail, and I am to be disposed of like a worn rag.
I’ll be jobless by noon.
We reminded the ambassador that his daughter goes to school in the morning, and on Mondays, she’s out at eleven, so we couldn’t meet him at 9 a.m. as he initially requested.
Waiting for an extra couple of hours to talk to him only adds to the overwhelming anxiety.
I sigh.
“Let’s go,” Aaron says. I drain what’s left of my coffee and set the mug in the sink.
Sensing someone’s attention burning a hole in my face, I turn to find Annette staring at me, her brows pulled in. She’s spreading butter and berry preserve on her croissant, as she does every morning. With difficulty, I summon a smile and jerk my chin her way.
She doesn’t greet me back. Instead, she diverts her attention back to her plate, making my blood chill.
She knows something.
And it’s not good.
“Caleb,” Aaron says, putting his earpiece on. I do the same, refusing to look away from Annette as if staring at her would grant me access inside her head. “Let’s go.” Aaron taps my shoulder twice, so I button up my jacket and follow him out.
Red’s already waiting for us in the parking lot, and I hate when that happens. It does nothing to aid my already declining mood. I like being there when she walks down those steps. But I can’t let her see it. It’s my job to make her feel comfortable and safe at all times. Seeing your bodyguard worried or upset is not ideal. Besides, I know how curious she is, so I can’t risk having her ask any questions because I’m not sure how long I can go faking a smile or deflecting her queries with lies.
Not today.
My future is at stake.
This might as well be one of the last times I drive her to school, escort her to class, talk to her, and make her laugh.
Damn it.
Smiling, I say, “Good morning, Miss Murphy.”
“What’s wrong?” She seems unwilling to get in the car as I hold the door open for her.
“Everything’s fine, Miss Murphy.” I glance at my wrist. We must leave now if we want to get her to class on time.
“Caleb?”
I’m still smiling, so I don’t get why she’s insisting.
“It’s getting late, Miss Murphy.”
Her eyes narrow with suspicion, and I wave a stiff hand toward the door, inviting her to get in the vehicle. She does. Thankfully.
We drive her to school in silence.
“It’s all good, brother,” Aaron whispers, stepping out of Ambassador Murphy’s office. I felt sick to my stomach the entire time I waited for him to come out with news about what’s next. Any news. I still feel like puking the single cup of coffee I had this morning. “We’re going to New York.”
I throw my head back and look at the ceiling with a smile.
Thank God.
Aaron squeezes my shoulders. “It’s your turn to go in there,” he says. “Ambassador Murphy’s waiting for you.”
Nodding, I shake Aaron’s hand with a grin but internally deny myself the satisfaction of feeling excited. Ah! But I needed this. I needed to know if we would be asked to come to New York or not. And we are.
