Protecting the Presidents Daughter

In a clipped tone familiar to her constant companions, Braden Roberts asked: “When does she arrive?” Nothing irritated her more than not knowing. Well, one other thing did, but she would never let that show. “She is already en route to us. Marcel picked her up at the airport twenty minutes ago,” Mike said. He was used to her ways after twelve years of being her assistant and head of security. At least one of those duties will be taken from him now. And he welcomed it with open arms. He just did not have the time to do both. Not with the new threat to her safety. “I see.” Braden looked up at him then and set the pen she’d been using to make notes down. “And Beth?” Mike grimaced. “Beth was picked up too. They are sharing transport.” He waved a hand and tried to smile. “Beth was not happy.” “No, I don’t imagine she was.” Braden ran a hand over her face, a rare show of fatigue, Mike knew only he was allowed to see. “When they arrive, please make sure that I speak with Beth first.” “Of course.” He took a step closer and contemplated whether to speak or hold his tongue. “If I may,” When she looked up at him, he nearly decided against speaking up. Her blue eyes were cold as ice. “I’m going to speak as your friend. Beth is not your responsibility anymore. Let her go.” “Mike,” The phone on his belt rang, probably saving him from tongue-lashing. He sighed and answered. “Yes?” He nodded and then met her eyes. “I’ll let her know.” He hung up and clipped the phone back in its holder. “They’re here.” Braden watched Mike leave and wondered just how much it had taken out of him to speak up. He was probably the closest thing to a friend she had. But still, he would never have said anything to her. “How bloody tired do I look?” She wondered out loud. “Oh, honey, we all know you have no heart or soul for that matter. You don’t get tired.” Beth waltzed in. She was gorgeous on the outside. Blonde, blue-eyed, and flawless skin. At thirty-seven, she looked nothing older than twenty-five. “I must say, I did not appreciate being thrown in with the new help. You could have sprung for a car for me.” She lowered herself to the chair across from Braden and tucked well-toned legs under her chair. “As your wife…” “Beth please.” Braden held up a hand to stop the tirade. “You were picked up, be glad of that.” “I don’t appreciate being treated like this!” Beth snapped. “I deserve more respect than that!” She threw her head back. “And being summoned back here like one of your dogs is humiliating.” “Humiliating?” Braden choked out a laugh. “You want to call that humiliation?” Braden stood and pushed the envelope on her desk closer to Beth. “That,” Braden pointed at the envelope. “Is humiliating.” “What is it?” “Open it, have a look.” Braden started to pace. If she didn’t pace, she’d throw things. And she could not, would not lose control like that. “Fine.” Beth pulled the envelope into her lap and flipped it open. One of the photos slipped out and landed on the floor at her feet. She bent to reach for it and froze. “Oh.” A naked Beth knelt on a bed, her head thrown back, hair a mess across her bare shoulders, as a man pumped into her from behind. “I can explain.” Braden laughed harshly. “Explain? What exactly is there to explain? The photos speak for themselves.” Calmly, unfazed, Beth looked up at Braden. “You must realize that you have been nothing but distant from the beginning. A woman has needs. And what is it to you if I have my needs looked after somewhere else?” She shrugged. “I have things to do.” “I am leaving.” Braden walked to her chair and sat down. “I will be away for two weeks. We’ll talk then.” “Braden…” “No, right now, the only solution for me is to kick you out on your naked ass, with all your lies. But I can’t do that. So, I’m going away, and when I get back, then we’ll talk.” She picked up her phone. “Mike, please bring her in.” “Yes.” Beth stood. “Dismiss me. You’re damned good at that.” She stormed past the tall, dark-haired woman who walked into the office, without glancing at her. Braden stood and locked her hazel eyes on the dark brown eyes of the woman who stood, patiently waiting for her to speak. “I would apologize for asking you to come here. I would say that the last person I wanted to ask for help was you. I could look for someone else. I should ask someone else.” She took a deep breath and said the words she knew would make the woman stay. “But I need you. I need your help.” Tanner watched the emotions play in the other woman’s eyes. She’d gotten on a plane and flown to Braden’s side the second she’d gotten the message. She’d never tell her that. Then, thinking the hardest part would be to face Braden. She’d had to share a ride with Braden’s wife. The woman had made it clear the whole damned way that she didn’t appreciate sharing the ride. Her voice was quiet and deep. “How long has it been?” “Seven years.” “Seven years, two months, three weeks, and a few days,” Tanner said. “But who’s counting?” She sighed. “Give me the file. Everything you have, everything Ms. Roberts. I don’t want surprises. And set up a meeting with your current security, they need to know that there is a new command. Mike told me you want to leave today.” When Braden just nodded, she continued. “Okay, then let’s have that meeting in an hour. I will get myself up to speed. We can leave at four. That gives us three hours.” She looked at her watch. “Is that okay?” “Tanner…” “Ms. Roberts, I am here to keep you safe. That’s it. I’m here because your mother begged for me.” She took the file from Braden. “Is this all of it?” “Yes.” “Okay. Then I’ll see you in an hour.” She turned. She reached for the door handle and then looked over her shoulder. “What changed? Why did you call for me?” “He threatened Emily,” Braden said simply. She watched the dark eyes narrow and harden. Watched the strong jaw clench in anger. “I don’t care what happens to me, Tanner. But Emily is innocent.” “Something we can agree on,” Tanner said. “Ms. Roberts.” She said and left. Braden sat down heavily on her chair and stared at the closed door. The memory was worse than a punch to the gut. Tanner laughed as she jumped off the pier and made water splash all over Braden. “Come on, it’s so good!” “I don’t have dry clothes here,” Braden said, dabbing at the water on her shorts with the cloth from the food basket Tanner had brought. “My dad would kill me if he knew I was out here with you.” “Then take off your clothes,” Tanner suggested. “Oh, yeah sure, the newspapers would love to have my naked ass on their front pages.” She sometimes hated how easily Tanner forgot who she was. “I should go.” Tanner quickly scrambled back onto the pier and stood dripping a safe distance from Braden. “Sorry, I forget okay.” She shook her short hair and rubbed the spiky ends, making them stand in all directions. “I have an idea. Do you trust me?” “You know I do,” Braden said quickly.  “Okay, then come on.” She held out her hand to Braden and grinned when Braden gripped her hand tightly. “One last day.” And night if Tanner had any say.