Page 4 of Her Sensual Protector

“They’re ten, twelve, and fifteen years older than me. They weren’t as lucky as I was. They grew up with our father, so no, they don’t consider Alistair their father, which is unfortunate. As far as I’m concerned they got the booby-prize, after what Ethan Squires put them through.”

Leo winced. “You don’t pull any of your punches, do you?”

Daisy shrugged. “They each have their own story to tell, and so does my mother. And I have mine. When you combine them all, I don’t think my conclusion is that far out of reach.”

“So if you’re not a fan of your biological dad, why are you here rattling cages?”

“Because I love my siblings and they want our father rescued. I might not like him, but I certainly don’t wish him dead. So my family and I agreed that I was the best one to send. Rattling cages is something I excel at.”

2

Leo’s lips twitched. The way she talked, he didn’t doubt it. Still, she might have taken on the dweebs in the embassy, but what she didn’t know is that her quasi-father had been kidnapped by the Haqqani Network, and it didn’t get any uglier than that.

She raised one eyebrow. “Handsome, I see the wheels turning. Anything you want to share with me?”

“You think I’m handsome?”

“I told you I don’t lie. You’re hot. Somehow I can’t help but wonder if that was taken into consideration when they knew you would be dealing with a woman.”

“A smart, beautiful woman who rattles cages and speaks Dari. Quite the combo kit, Ms. Squires, or can I call you Daisy?”

“I think since I just said you were hot, calling me Daisy would be appropriate at this point,” she laughed. “But I must say, you do lay it on a bit thick.”

He took a slow sip of tea and she watched him. “I just call it as I see it. I’m taking a page out of your book, no lying.”

“No lying sounds good, really good.” She put both hands around her teacup. “Tell me how you fit into the picture. I’m assuming you’re here to assess whether my father can be rescued. Am I right?”

“Something like that.”

“Hey, you just promised not to tell any lies,” she complained.

The waiter came and poured more tea into their cups for the second time.

“At this rate, I’m going to float out of here,” Leo complained.

“The rule is, you have to turn over your cup, or they’ll keep filling it.”

“How am I ever going to get to do that, they don’t give me a chance to empty it?”

“My advice is that you drink faster.”

Leo knew she was laughing at him.

“Leo, what’s your assessment? What are you going to tell your superiors? Is a rescue possible?”

“Yes.”

“Then why no rescue for the reporter?”

“I don’t know for sure.”

“Can you take some guesses?”

“Not my place.”

“For someone who wasn’t going to tell me any lies, you’re not very forthcoming.”

“But, I haven’t lied to you.” He watched to see if she would see the difference.