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"You’re doing a good job of proving it" She rose up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to "

"I hope I’m around to try later ’Cause now I have to talk to your dad"

As we approached Hallie’s house, I didn’t know if I wason ht there" She pointed to her dance studio "I’ll leave my phone on in case you need a lift to the hospital"

"You aren’t helping"

"I wasn’t trying to I don’t want you to sustain injury" She held up crossed fingers, and then she was gone

I wished I’d added another swipe of deodorant as I walked to Girard’s office and knocked on the open door "Sir? I’d like a minute, if you have one?"

"Come in"

I handed over the crystal ball we’d stolen from the hotel

He nodded and put it on his desk "No proble else?"

"Yes, sir" I didn’t mean to blurt it out, butin solass"

He studied me for a second "Can’t handle this by yourself?"

"It’s not that" I pulled at the collar offor confident body language I just needed ht A serious one"

I explained the possessions and watched hi up and starting for the door

"Wait" I held up my hand "She’s fine She’s in her studio"

Now he stopped cold "Does she know you’re telling me this?"

I shook my head

"But she’s okay?"

"Yes, Mr Girard I swear"

"Trying to get back in races?" He crossed the room to a table that held crystal tulass, and looked me over "You broke your promise to me in the first week of your employment The only reason you’re still here is because Hallie drives a hard bargain"

"No, sir Hallie is the priority The protocol needs to change I’s she can, besides Poe, and they aren’t on speaking terms" That you know about

He took a drink "Your reserves How o out of town for a couple of days I was content to leave Hallie in the care of my security staff, since that’s the e usually handle things, but I don’t think that’s going to cut it" He rubbed his upper lip Took another drink Paced "I can hire all the bodyguards I want, but they don’t know the players or the stakes, and there’s an advantage to numbers"

"I’m not sure I understand what you mean, sir"

"Are your friends male or female?"

"Two of each"

He nodded "We have three fully equipped guest roo up"

I did the math and frowned "That’s six--"

"I want you and Poe here, too"

Suddenly, I was really glad he hadn’t guessed the nature of the relationship between Hallie and me

"There will still be security, and the ladies will be located very far away froentlemen, but if all of you can see what she can, then you can try to protect her froone If things don’t stay aboveboard, I’ll reassess"

I knew, in this case, reassess meant I’d be fired, and if he found out about Hallie and me, possibly castrated

"Yes, sir," I said