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Darcy felt the corners of her hter escaped, and then they were hugging each other tight Darcy hung on tighter than usual

"When they told me what happened, I nearly died," Lauren whispered in her ear "I’htened "No, you don’t Trust me on that"

"But they wanted me instead of you"

"Don’t they all That’s the world in which we live I’ve gotten used to it"

"Darcy, don’t" Lauren sighed "I feel horrible"

"Don’t Do you knohere they’re taking you?" she asked

"No You?"

"I want to be safe Soade can do"

Lauren shot the agent in the roolance then turned on her sister "Darcy, no You can’t betheir job, I wouldn’t have been taken" Froent flinch Well, too bad If they’d been doing their job, she would never have realized that she was at risk

She’d had Secret Service protection for years and had never considered it more than an annoyance She’d always known that she and Lauren were technically possible targets, but she’d felt safe surrounded by the grients Not anymore

"It’s not co you to be kidnapped"

Darcy snorted "It’s their job to expect the unexpected They’re professionals"

"I know, but they didn’tbad to happen to you"

"Oh They didn’t ht technically be the firstborn, but she had the personality of a s It was a trait Darcy found annoying on occasion, even as she adan

Darcy waved her off "Don’t sweat it They’ll be on their toes now That’s what matters So we’ll head off to our separate but equal locations and wait for the crazies to be caught"

And then what? She’d tried to live a normal life, but it was impossible while her father was in office

"There was so oing to be at a state dinner" She frowned "Weren’t you flying to New York?"

"Yeah" Darcy didn’t want to think about that either

Lauren groaned "Your interview When is it?"

"Monday"

Being the president’s daughter put her in the unique position of being uneraphic artist with aBut, as the dozens of companies she’d applied to over the past couple of years had told her, no client wanted to turn down a presentation by someone so close to the president It could be very bad for business Rather than put their clients in such an aard position, she’d been passed over ti to take a chance on her Now she was unlikely toto make them want to hire her

"Maybe if you explained," Lauren said, looking so earnest Darcy actually laughed

"What? That I was recently kidnapped and have to lay low until the culprits are found? I don’t think that in hed "I know this life is hard for you"

"And I know you love it," Darcy said without rancor It was true--public life suited her sister Lauren was never happier than when she was cutting a ribbon at so as their father’s hostess for a formal dinner for three hundred Darcy would rather be staked naked in the desert on top of a nest of fire ants

"I’ll be fine," she said before tender-hearted Lauren started to cry again "Don’t worry about it Have you e the subject to so more neutral

"No Have you?"

"Just one of them Alex Vanrilling hi"

Lauren stared at her "The incredibly hunky guy who looks like a street fighter? I’m sure he’ll keep you safe"

"I wish I was sure" Darcy shook her head "You know, I’ht now He could be a troll, as long as he’s a troll who knohat he’s doing"

She crossed to her dresser and pulled out bras and panties, then tucked them into the suitcase She’d already packed up her art supplies and her laptop

Lauren walked to theand stared down at the Secret Service teaned to you?" she asked

"I don’t have a clue" Darcy didn’t think they were in a good place for having lost her "Don’t worry I doubt they were taken out back and shot" Although in herOrLet them feel what she’d experienced Toss theuys named Bill and force them to open a purse with their teeth