Page 23 of Power
“I was instructed last night, ma’am.”
“Stop calling me ma’am.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He’s not going to do a single thing I say. I look over at the bookstore, and Tash is standing at the door with her hands on her hips, watching us. “What are your instructions?”
“I’m to make sure you’re safe without intruding on your personal space.”
“Are you to follow my instructions?” He looks down, confirming my thoughts. “Will you at least stay in the car?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I hang my head as I take a deep breath, trying to think for a moment. “This is fucked,” I murmur to myself. I lift my chin and meet the hard eyes of a Secret Service agent who has to be cursing me as much as I’m cursing the president. “What’s your name?”
“Grayson, ma’am.”
“This ‘ma’am’ business is bullshit. It’s Reece.” I look over toward Tash, who’s inched closer and is standing outside her bookstore on the sidewalk. I jog across the street. “Don’t ask.” I hold my hand up while shaking my head.
“Who’s that?” Tash does the exact opposite of what I asked.
I look over to Grayson and scratch my neck. “I don’t know what to tell you, but I have to go.”
“Well, he’s cute. Is he a client? ’Cause if he is, it would be weird that I’m crushing on him.”
“He’s not a client.” I walk into the bookstore, grab my mug and down my coffee, reaching for my bag. “I have to go,” I repeat to Tash. “Tonight though, my house. About seven?”
“I close at six, so I’ll come over after work. I’ll let myself in if you’re not there.” Tash looks out toward the black car and places her hand on my arm. “Are you sure everything is okay?”
“It will be.” I offer her a forced smile, hoping to ease her worry. “See you tonight.” I lean over to give her a hug. I walk out and head to my car. Grayson pulls in behind me and follows me home. He pulls up outside my house and parks. I walk in before dialing Bennett’s number.
“I was hoping to hear from you,” he says.
“Were you now?” I pace back and forth in my family room, keeping a watchful eye on Grayson.
“I wanted to talk to you about last night, and the way things happened.”
“Did you not hear anything I said about boundaries, Bennett?”
“Of course, I did. Which is why I didn’t call you today.”
I find myself rooted to the spot while tapping my foot. My hands begin to tremble while I try to calm the fury bubbling through my body. “Why do I have a Secret Service agent following me?” My voice shakes with anger through my clenched jaw. There’s a second of silence. “Bennett!”
“It’s to keep you safe. That’s all.”
“I don’t want him, I don’t need him, and it’s an invasion of my privacy. The American public would be incensed to find out your escort has Secret Service detail.”
“I wouldn’t call it a detail. More like one agent.”
“Bennett,” I snap. “Get rid of him.”
“I can’t do that,” he adamantly responds.
“Do you ever want to see me again?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Then get rid of him now. This is not only a total invasion of my privacy, but my clients’ privacy, my family’s privacy, and my friends’ privacy.”
