Chapter 1
Alysa
“I’m not saying you need to sleep with the guy, just pretend to be…interested,” James Burke said from across the table.
I glared at Burke. I had respect for my former brother-in-arms, but we weren’t in the Marine Corps anymore, and his opinion had no bearing on the decisions I made for myself. Putting my life on the line was one thing, but what he was implying was another story. “Don’t worry, Burke-I’m for hire, not for sale.” I kept my voice low, not wanting the other patrons at the diner to overhear, but I know my tone was enough to make my point.
I wasn’t questioning his honor, just reminding him that I still held my own. When he invited me to dinner to discuss offering me a security position, he’d been extremely vague about the logistics. Part of me was tempted to tell him what he could do with his job offer. There was one problem - it likely beat the hell out of what I was doing now. Working mall security and waiting to catch shoplifters was a legit job, but it was a far cry from dodging bullets and IEDs overseas. There had to be something in the middle. Maybe this offer was it, but I’d need a hell of a lot more intel than what Burke had given me thus far.
Defensively he said, “LaHouse, you should know better than to assume I meant that. This is strictly a security issue.”
The sound of a glass crashing to the floor caught my attention briefly. Looking at the young women at the next table, they were giggling at their clumsy drunken behavior. I doubt they even know we’re here, never mind what we’re talking about. Turning my attention back to Burke I replied firmly, “Good.”
“I’m not going to lie,” Burke continued, “your looks are as valuable as your combat skills right now.”
“Can’t hide a sniper rifle in a dress, you know,” I said, reminding him just how skilled I was.
Burke chuckled. “Hopefully you won’t need it.”
“Hopefully?” I asked, not even cracking a smile. If there was danger, I needed to be aware of it. But then again, he wouldn’t have contacted me if there wasn’t.
“In Tabiq, one never really knows. It’s more stable than it was, but I’ve come to understand that stability is only on the surface.”
I knew very little about Tabiq. Historically, it had been an impoverished nation, but over the last few years the economy had shown slow but steady growth. Rumors had spun about mistreatment of the women there, but I knew better than to go on rumors. Either way, I still had no clue as to what the hell Burke - or his employers, the Henderson family - had to do with Tabiq.
I trusted Burke, but the Henderson's had a reputation I wasn’t sure I wanted to be associated with. Why do you, Burke? You’re usually selective on who you align yourself with. I knew Burke had donated a kidney to his kid sister last year, but that shouldn’t have altered his character. Some people found it more difficult to adapt to civilian life again.
“What exactly will I be doing?” I might not want this job, but Burke needed someone to have his six on this. For that reason alone, I was planning to take the assignment no matter what the answer was.
He pulled a photo from his breast pocket and handed it to me. “Jasper Florraz is running for president of Tabiq. You’d be his –”
“Girlfriend?” I asked with an edge to my voice. This Jasper Florraz looked more like a cover model than someone old enough to run for president.
“Bodyguard.”
Florraz might look like he needed protecting, but as I looked closer at his photo, there was something about his eyes that said his looks were deceiving. They were dark, mysterious, and - my gut told me - deadly. Someone like that was sure to make enemies.
Lifting my gaze back up to meet Burke’s, I returned the photo to him. With the clarification of my role, it gave me hope that Burke hadn’t completely lost his mind. But I needed to make sure he’d thought this through and there were no other options. “Wouldn’t they use their own security? Outsiders are not usually welcome in political campaigns.”
“You’re correct, but the issue is - who can we trust?”
“We? You’re not Tabiqian. Why are you so concerned about the outcome of the election?”
In the Corps, we knew our actions could affect a nation’s future, but Tabiq wasn’t at war. It barely had a military.
“There’s a lot more to this country than people know. Things best left buried. But beneath it all is a country filled with old traditions and hope that they will return.”
“And you think this Florraz guy is the one to do it?” If it was as bad as the expression on Burke’s face hinted, then I had no idea how one man would be able to change it.
“There is much left unknown about him. For the time being, he is the best candidate.”
“That doesn’t sound like you think he is the right one,” I said.
“It’s not my decision. My role is to ensure nothing happens to him until the election is over and he can put his own security in place.”
“Although I’m glad to see you have such confidence in me, why aren’t you doing this yourself?”
Burke’s answer said it all. “Because he knows who I am, and he doesn’t want the Hendersons or anyone associated with them anywhere near him.”