Page 22 of Power
Chapter six
Reece
“Okay,what’swrong?”Tash brings me a coffee and sits in the armchair opposite me.
I curl up on the seat, tucking my feet under me. “Nothing. Why?” I take the mug and sip the coffee. I look out the front window and watch the cars driving by.
“Hang on, another customer.” Tash stands and walks over to the counter of her cozy bookstore. Tash chats with the customer, smiles, and when the customer leaves to browse the shelves, Tash returns. “Carrie’s making her a coffee.” She sits again but keeps an eye on the counter. “So, you were telling me what’s wrong.”
“No, I wasn’t,” I say as I lift the mug to cover my small smirk. “Cheeky.” I look at Tash from over my mug.
“You’ve been off since you arrived an hour ago. What is it? Is Emily, okay?”
I smile proudly. “Yeah, she’s awesome, I’ve got to leave to pick her up around two.”
“What’s the plan for tonight?”
I shrug. “Wanna come over for pizza and popcorn? Movie marathon?”
“Sure. It’s not like I have any hot dates.” She snorts with laughter. “My dates are all these books. They’re the closest thing to hot action I’m gonna get. I must admit though, I thoroughly enjoy the romance section. I’ll tell you what.” She fans herself as her cheeks pink. “There are some things in those books that I bet would make even you blush.”
“Doubt it. I’ve had some pretty freaky clients.”
Tash leans forward and whispers, “Care to share?” She stares at me with an eager smirk and wide eyes, waiting for me to give her any gossip.
“You know I can’t.”
“A girl can dream.” She sighs and sits back, totally relaxing in her chair. She lifts her coffee and takes a sip. “So, wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“Something is off about you. Is it work?” I shake my head. “Everything is safe?” she asks in a more cautious tone.
“Yeah, it’s nothing like that.”
“Is it a client?”
I turn and stare at a spot on the wooden floorboards. “It’s nothing, really. Don’t worry.”
“You know you can talk to me, right?”
I look over at her and smile. “I know, but you also know I literally can’t talk to you. I can’t talk to anyone.”
“It’s gotta be mentally challenging not being able to debrief after you put your mind and body through something so intense.”
I run my thumb over my bottom lip as I stare outside. I notice a black car sitting opposite to the bookstore, with a man sitting in the driver’s seat. I squint to get a better look and roll my eyes when I see it’s the Secret Service agent from last night. “Seriously?” I mumble as I place my mug on the coffee table and push out of my comfortable position.
“What is it?” Tash turns to look out the window.
“Nothing. Stay here.” I run out of the bookstore and cross the road. The agent sees me and gets out of the car. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been assigned to you, Miss Maxwell,” he says with a stoic, cold delivery.
“What?” I shake my head and run my hand through my hair. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“No, ma’am.”
“You have to see how ridiculous this is.” I wait for his response, but of course, all I get is a blank expression. “When were you told that I’m your assignment?”
