Protecting the Presidents Daughter

Chapter 9

Tanner climbed out of the car and walked around to where Braden waited for her to open the door. "Stay close to me," Tanner told Braden. Her eyes scanned the area for any sort of threat. The chances that someone knew where they were were slim, but Tanner knew it was never an option to be careless. She nodded to Joe a signal to lead the way inside. Tanner tried to ignore the spark of electricity where her hip touched Braden's as they quickly walked into her gallery. Joe checked the building as they waited just inside the door. He came back with a smile at Tanner.

"All clear, boss."

"Thanks, take the door, and if this guy is not alone, his guest can wait outside."

"Tanner, he might bring his manager," Braden said.

Tanner glared at the ceiling before letting out a breath. "Fine, he can bring his manager." She ignored Joe's laugh as she followed Braden to her office. "Ms. Roberts, I'm going to be in the room, I don't care if you don't want that, I am not letting you out of my sight."

"That's fine, Tanner." Braden sat behind her desk and took out papers. "We need to settle on a date for the showing. I can't stall any longer. So, even though this is going to give you a stomach ulcer, I have two dates. You can choose one."

Tanner stared at Braden. Did the woman not understand the danger she was in? Or did she not care for her own life? "Fuck." She stomped to the desk and looked down at the dates. "The twenty-sixth." She snapped and stomped back to the door.

"Thank you," Braden said quietly. A knock on the door had Braden sitting up straight. Tanner opened up the door and let two men in. The first looked at her and then turned to Braden with a huge grin and held out his hand. The second didn't spare her a glance as he walked to Braden.

"Braden, I'm so happy we could meet. My nerves are shot."

"I'm so sorry it's taken this long to set up the meeting, Jac." Braden walked around the desk and hugged him. "Hello, Grant." She shook the other man's hand. "Please sit, I'll make us coffee."

"This is really unacceptable," Grant said, not greeting Braden back. "Jac has many offers to show his work, the only reason we've waited this long is that your gallery has the better reputation."

"I'm aware," Braden said, then turned to Jac. "The twenty-sixth." She held up her hand when Grant opened his mouth. "It's the earliest time I can organize it, and make sure he gets the best exposure I can offer."

"That's great, that's awesome, yes." Jac nodded as he spoke. "Grant, let up. I've waited this long for a big break, Braden was the only one really interested in my work as it is."

"Fine." Grant nodded. "Let's get the paperwork done. You will handle the catering and guest list?"

"We will handle it all. You just need to send me the list of your guests, and I will make sure they are invited. All the media, security, and whatever else we need to organize will be handled. Jac just needs to show up and be himself." She smiled at Jac, who beamed at her. "I hope you're ready to take the world by storm."

"I am, I really am." He sighed. "I just hope..."

"Don't even go there. Your photos are amazing and I can promise you, you will be a hit."

Tanner watched Braden work, the way she set everybody at ease, the way she handled Grant, and even made the rude man smile, made her feel pride. Braden had always had a way with people and knew how to make the most uncomfortable situation bearable. Tanner's mind was already working out how to handle the security that night. It would be a nightmare to coordinate and get everyone where they need to be to keep Braden and Emily safe on the night. She only half listened to them finishing up their meeting, her mind on the fact that keeping Braden safe was going to be almost impossible if they didn't add some people to their team for the night.

"Tanner, is that possible?" Braden watched as Tanner's attention snapped back to her and felt the intense look run through her.

"I'm sorry, I was listening to Joe. Would what be possible?"

"I want to move the pieces and set them up on the twenty-fourth so that everything is set up and ready, and we can move things around if need be."

"We can make it work." She agreed. As much as she wanted to keep Braden alive, she couldn't expect her work to stand still.

"Thank you," Braden said softly.

"Is there something we should know?" Grant asked.

"No, everything is under control," Tanner answered before Braden could.

"Fine, then we will see you next Thursday." Grant stood. "Jac and I will be here personally to make sure he's happy as well."

"No problem. Again, I am sorry for the wait." Braden stood and hugged Jac again before shaking Grant's hand. "Stop stressing now, everything will be okay, your work will speak for itself."

"Thank you, Braden," Jac said, and left with Grant. Braden sat down and sighed as she put her head on her desk.

Tanner watched her for a second, debating whether to ask or just let her be. "What's wrong?"

Braden lifted her head and smiled ruefully at Tanner. "If you think that I am not aware of what a nightmare this is going to be for you, then you are wrong." She shook her head. "I am scared, Tanner. Not for me, for Emily. This asshole is threatening her too. I want to wrap her in a bubble and keep her safely stacked away in a safe until this guy is caught. But I can't."

Tanner stepped forward, then stopped. What was she going to do? Hug Braden? No. "I won't let anything happen to either of you. Trust that." She waited for Braden to look at her again. "Trust me."