GIVE ME A DAY

Episode 7

“She’s here.”

Josh blinked and looked up from his laptop at Oliver Edgar, the fifty-nine-year-old co-founder of J3 Foundation, standing in the hotel room doorway. “What? Who?”

“Your team leader.”

Huh? Was he badly lost in the thought of a girl that he’d screwed up the date somehow? A quick check of his calendar assured him he hadn’t. “She’s a day early.”

“Yeah, how about that?” Oliver's sun-weathered features gave nothing away about what he thought of the head of his newly arrived security detail.

He knew nothing about the woman in question, except that she’d been handpicked by Albert, the owner of Offshore Security. Normally, he would have at least read a file on the men in his detail before arriving here in New York, but in light of recent events, Albert had been left scrambling to find replacement contractors for the job. According to Josh's instructions, he wanted to keep the entire thing on a low-key and have a woman this time around. Hopefully, it would keep suspicion at arm's length and give him room to take care of what he wanted.

Josh was unfamiliar with the town, he had moved to the city a few years back but was trying so well to fit in. On a normal occasion, he had no issues but special assignments like those that reminded him of the reason his parents were killed. He took security seriously.

“Downstairs?” he asked, a little nervous about meeting the woman who would be responsible for his safety for the duration of his program.

Oliver nodded. “In the lobby.”

Okay then, apparently for some reason, Oliver wanted him to see this girl for himself before forming an opinion.

He hit save on his list of talking points for the upcoming meeting with the Environmental Minister and closed the laptop, giving Oliver her full attention. “So, did you meet her?”

“No, I just saw her talking to one of the guys on my detail. Thought I’d come up and let you know, so you can meet her and help put your mind at ease.”

Given what had happened to his father here a few years ago? Not likely. But meeting the man might make him feel a little better about things. Or not.

“I’ll come down right now.” he grabbed his black lightweight sweater and threw it over his shoulders on his way to the door.

Oliver followed him into the hallway and to the elevator without a word. As the digital numbers on the panel in front of them ticked off the decreasing floor numbers, he cast Oliver a sideways glance.

He stood near the mirrored side wall without looking at him, face serene, hands clasped in front of him. His silence was really starting to annoy him. He knew how wound up he was—why couldn’t he say something to reassure him?

He was jittery enough at the moment without having any more unpleasant surprises to deal with. The last few weeks had been full of them.

He tried again. “So, what’s she like?”

A little smile this time. “You’ll see.”

Josh blinked in surprise. “You’re not going to tell me anything about her?” If he was keeping something from him to spare him, he’d prefer to know ahead of time, so he could prepare him. After all, Heritage kicked against the idea of him continuing with this dangerous charity of his.

“Nope.”

“Do you think that it is weird that I am having a woman as head of my security team?”

“Nope.”

Classic Oliver. Either he had nothing to report, or there was a reason he was looking forward to seeing his reaction to meeting his bodyguard. That didn’t ease the anxiety grinding in his belly, but he’d find out soon enough who Offshore had assigned to protect him.

“Is she American or British?”

“American.”

“Former military, or law enforcement officer?”

“Law enforcement.”

Oliver had managed to find out all that without meeting her?

“What branch of law enforcement is she in?”

A telling pause. Then, “Police.”

An answering pang of dread bounced back around his suddenly hollow stomach.

He struggled to keep the spike in anxiety from showing on his face, and hoped he managed it well enough. “Really? Well, that’s impressive.” If it was true.

God, he prayed this guy was legit. “Why did she agree to this?”

He shrugged as though it wasn’t important. “My guy didn’t say.”

“Lot of help you are,” he muttered as he exited the elevator and reached the lobby door. True to form,

Oliver grinned and reached past him to press down on the metal bar, swinging the door open for him.

The heels of his black-toned Italian shoes clicked on the highly polished marble tile as he crossed to the foyer of the lavish hotel.

Albert had booked them here. It was supposedly one of the safest hotels in the city because of its solid security presence due to all the diplomats and foreign contractors who stayed there.

Despite knowing that, Josh had barely slept at all since they’d checked in earlier in the day. He was supposed to have a maximum rest so that he could function well. But, memories of what had happened kept pricking him. As a businessman or billionaire, he had peace of mind. But as a philanthropist, not so much. He probably wouldn’t get a full night’s sleep again until he made it home safely, far away from that part of the world where armed militants would kill him simply because of what he represented.

The modern, sparkling glass and tile lobby was busy, filled with wealthy tourists and businessmen dressed in suits. A far cry from the place where she’d be staying in a few days once they entered the rural area in the outskirts of New York, dominated by immigrants. In light of the circumstances, he’d have felt a hell of a

a lot better if Albert would guard him personally, but that wasn’t going to happen, and he had to accept it. In their last conversation before he’d set up the program and arrived here, he’d told him he was working on finding a solid team for him and promised to find someone he trusted. That would have to be good enough.

The bar came into view, a polished mahogany expanse tucked away into a cozy corner of the lounge. He spotted a group of six well-built men seated on leather sofas set against the far wall with a pretty, petite lady. She looked so familiar. Two of the men he recognized as belonging to Oliver’s detail, so he assumed the others must be there for her. The only lady among them had to be the team leader in question.

Josh drew a calming breath to battle his nerves. “That them?” he asked.

Oliver, but the men and lady had spotted him and were already rising from their chairs. To his surprise, the lady didn’t approach him. She kept her back to him, her face turned away.

A slightly shorter man with dark hair brushed his elbow against that of the lady, and, she hurriedly made her way to Josh just in time. He couldn't believe that she wasn't even quick to notice her asset. When he got a good look at her face and recognized who it was, something inside him stilled. Was this who Albert had sent to lead his detail? She? Unbelievable.

It was Sparkle, and Josh couldn't quite settle his mind that she was the one. Maybe it was a coincidence. But, what coincidence would lead her to be dressed in her uniform?

Moving closer to Oliver, “is she the one?” he whispered into Oliver's ear.

“Yep.”

“s**t!” Josh exclaimed. He had to think fast and cover up his tracks. He didn't like people knowing his other identity, and especially not the girl he fancied. It might complicate things and, during business, that was the last thing he needed.

“Anything wrong?” Oliver asked.

“I need you to play along with me,” he rambled quickly as Sparkle kept approaching, scrutinizing him just as closely.

“Sure.”

She looked way younger and smarter in her uniform.

Josh's palms went damp. Was she experienced enough to lead the group of men charged with keeping him safe over there? When Albert had promised to send him one of his best, someone with a lot of experience, he’d assumed he’d assign someone much older.

Josh's expression remained neutral as he sized Sparkle up, but there was something in his gaze that made Sparkle's insides tighten in reflex. The flat line of his mouth and the hard glint in his eyes made him look cold.

Unapproachable. A light gray polo shirt stretched taut over his broad chest and shoulders and showed off his well-defined arms. His build spoke of hard work and discipline. His confident posture, the controlled way he moved told Sparkle that it was she who needed more saving than Josh did.

Josh had recently learned that sometimes, the division assigned as security details were offenders who needed to be punished in their different units. But, he was confident that Albert wouldn't put him at that risk. He had to give him the best from his team. Offshore was a legit security organization.

She was almost near to him now.

The beautiful amber of her eyes should have made them seem warm, but instead, the look in them sent a chill of unease through him. Now that she was closer, he realized she didn’t look at all happy to see him. She looked entirely different from the person he had met earlier in the day. In fact, it looked like she either never smiled or had forgotten how to. If not that, he knew better and had seen her beautiful smile. Unless there was yet another problem he was unaware of? Never let them see you sweat. Over the years, his father had told him more times than he could count. Easier said than done right now, however. He was totally out of his element here and had to keep reminding himself why he was doing this. Because he was doing this. No matter the consequences.

Though, having no consequences would be astonishing. He had to go through with this, despite whatever thousand and one reasons he had not to continue.

Oliver stood a step or two behind him, offering the silent support of his calming presence.

Smoothing his hands against the sides of his dress to wipe away the dampness that had gathered on his palms, Josh straightened his spine and put on a polite smile as he prepared to meet Sparkle once more. The girl who would hold his life in her hands during the next week.