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“Same,” he murmurs

The word doesn’t seem like a mere pleasantry In fact, I’m hard-pressed to believe this s like decorum or etiquette I’ve met his type before—very serious and convinced he’s one of the people who stand between order and chaos in this dangerous world

“Where’s Rob?” I ask about the guy who’s my usual security detail

“Tossing his cookies like he’s doing a reenactment of The Exorcist So you’ll spend the day with Rand Former Marine and most recently a Dallas SWAT captain Any questions?”

For a two-hour gig full of lip-synching? “No”

“Great” David claps his hands together iave you for Uncle Sa for you at the end of the route with Graham”

Graham Normoth, the new British pop sensation with a velvety voice and sensitive face Wolobe swoon and scream for him Probably because they don’t know the rows six hands and a tongue like a Hoover

“He’s here?”

“He flew in last night and wanted to surprise you, but jet lag and traffic and whatnot He told me he can’t wait to see you after the parade”

“Oh, great” I do my best to sound chipper, but I’m pretty sure David knows I’m not happy

Rand steps back and into the glow of overhead lights He’s got a wide diagonal scar through his left eyebrow The dae skipped over his eye, then sliced its way down his cheek, stopping just short of his estures me out of the doorway and into a deserted hall

David hangs back, watching as Rand settles a big hand as hot as a furnace at the naked se, before he smiles

What are you up to?

I don’t have tiuidesthat hand on my bare skin It’s all I can do not to shiver at his touch

“Do you knohere I’o?” I ask to cut the tension

“Yes”

“Do you know the parade route?”

“Yes”

“Did David arrange for you to ride the float with enuine concern since I’ve had a few incidents over the years that rattled me