My Ex-Love. MY BODYGUARD

CHAPTER THREE

There was something almost admirable about her directness. "I can recommend some excellent alternatives "

"No." Sally cut him off sharply. "I need the best. And if that means paying premium rates for you to personally take on this client, then that's what I'll do. She deserves that level of commitment."

Adrian stood and walked to the window. From up here, Dallas sprawled out below him like something he'd conquered and then forgotten about. "My personal schedule is complicated."

"Uncomplicate it."

"It's not that simple."

"Actually, it is." Sally's voice had softened slightly. "Look, I know this is unconventional. I know you don't typically take on clients in such a short timeframe. But my client is genuinely terrified, and she's trying very hard not to let it interfere with her professional obligations. She has commitments for a concert in Nashville in two weeks that she can't cancel without creating massive ripple effects. And between now and then, she needs to know she's actually safe."

Adrian turned back to face her. "Who's your client?"

Sally met his gaze steadily. "Grace Carter."

The world tilted slightly. Adrian caught himself reaching for the edge of his desk, forcing himself to maintain composure. "Grace Carter."

"Yes."

"The country singer."

"Country superstar," Sally corrected mildly. "She's built quite an empire in the last decade. I imagine you've heard of her?"

Of course he'd heard of her. Adrian had probably memorized her discography. He'd definitely watched every major performance she'd ever done, always telling himself it was reconnaissance, professional interest. Never admitting that he just wanted to see her face, hear her voice, confirm that she'd become everything she'd always wanted to be.

"I need to think about this," Adrian heard himself say.

"You have about five hours to make that decision," Sally replied. "After that, I need to give Grace an answer, and I need to arrange logistics. So think fast."

But there was nothing to think about. Adrian already knew what his answer was going to be. Had probably known the second Sally said Grace's name. The question was whether he was willing to acknowledge that this wasn't actually about professionalism or business opportunity. This was about the fact that someone he'd spent fifteen years trying not to care about was in danger, and he had the power to do something about it.

"Has Grace approved of this approach?" he asked. "She doesn't know you're here?"

"She knows I'm meeting with a protection service," Sally said. "She doesn't know which one. And Victorly, I'm not sure how she'll feel about you specifically taking the job. But I'm going to present it as the best option available."

"Which it is."

"Which it absolutely is," Sally agreed. "So?"

Adrian moved back to his desk, pressing the intercom. "Cancel everything for the next four weeks. Every meeting, every appointment, every obligation. Tell them I'm reassigning those clients or offering a full refund."

His secretary on the other end of the line made a small sound of protest. "Sir, that's going to be extremely complicated. There are several contracts "

"Make it work," Adrian said, and disconnected.

When he looked back at Sally, she was smiling. Not triumphantly, but with something that looked almost like relief. "She's going to be difficult," Sally warned. "The situation has made her paranoid. Untrusting. She's not the easiest client in the world right now."

"I can handle difficult things," Adrian said.

"I don't think you understand what I'm saying. She's " Sally paused, choosing her words carefully. "She's been hurt. Not just physically by this stalker, but emotionally. Fame has been tougher on her than the public realizes. And this situation with Victor Elias, the stalker, triggered something in her. A vulnerability that she normally keeps locked away."

Adrian knew about Grace's vulnerability. He'd seen it up close once, a long time ago. He'd held her while she cried about her dying father, had promised her that everything would be okay, had meant every single word. He'd also let her walk away to chase her dreams without fighting hard enough to keep her.

"When do I meet her?" he asked.

"Tonight. Her hotel in Nashville. She's flying out this afternoon." Sally stood, gathering her things. "One more thing you should know."

"What's that?"

"She's carrying a gun now. Small handgun. She started taking shooting lessons about three months ago. I mention this because she's scared enough that she might actually be dangerous if she feels threatened. Be aware of that when you meet her."

Adrian nodded slowly, processing this information. Grace with a gun. Grace was so afraid that she'd learned to carry a weapon. The image made something in his chest crack open.

"I'll be careful," he said.

After Sally left, Adrian stood alone in his office, surrounded by all the trappings of success that suddenly meant nothing. He walked to the mirror on his office wall and studied his reflection. The expensive haircut. The designer suit. The carefully groomed beard and the shades he wore even indoors. None of it was the person Grace had known. None of it was the scared, ambitious kid she'd fallen in love with.

But maybe that didn't matter anymore. Maybe what mattered was that she needed protection, and he was uniquely positioned to provide it. That was the story he'd tell himself, anyway.

That was the story that would let him sleep at night.

He picked up his phone and booked a flight to Nashville, not allowing himself to think about what came next. Not allowing himself to imagine what her face would look like when she realized who Sally had sent to protect her.

Not allowing himself to hope that maybe, just maybe, they'd get a second chance.