Read Online A Bodyguard to Remember by Alison Bruce - Free Book Online

was in line with the door. If someone tried to get through, we’d all hear and Merrick would have a clear shot as they entered.
    On my way to and from the bathroom, I checked the deadbolt and safety bar on the door.
    “I just had to be sure,” I explained.
    He nodded. He understood.
    “Want some tea?” I whispered. I didn’t want to go back to sleep right away in case the nightmares took up where they left off.
    He nodded and took a seat at the edge of Boone’s bed. He was backlit by the city lights shining through the half-open blinds. I made tea by the light of the bathroom fixtures. The rest of the room was in shadow and neither of us broke the silence until I sat opposite him.
    “Hartley,” he started, both hands wrapped around his cup.
    “Merrick,” I replied. Now that I knew I hadn’t insulted him, I was having fun with this new form of address.
    His mouth twitched with a micro-smile before resuming its habitual solemn mien. “I know this has been difficult for you . . .”
    “And I know you’re trying to keep me safe,” I interjected.
    “I’m trying to keep you and your children safe with as little anxiety as possible. I think I might be succeeding with Hope and Boone.”
    I sighed. “I’m glad.”
    “But not you.”
    “You’ve got an uphill battle with me,” I admitted. “The cloak and dagger stuff, not being able to go anywhere unattended . . . you know, I thought I was keeping to the rules today. I didn’t leave the hotel. I called you—not my fault you weren’t there—and I had the cell phone you gave me.”
    “I should have returned your call.”
    “Yes, you should have. Well, it would have helped. But that’s not the real problem. I don’t want to be so protected that I don’t know what is going on. I have an excellent imagination. Chances are I can imagine worse than the truth.”
    “Worse than you’ve already been through?” He sounded skeptical.
    “Much worse. You should have seen the dreams I was having.” I shuddered. “Much better to keep me in the loop as much as possible. Either my imagination will run away with me or I’ll forget to be cautious. Neither option is good.”
    “I will endeavour to keep you in the loop, but you need to realize I can’t tell you everything.”
    I let out a sigh that turned into a yawn.
    “Where are we going tomorrow?” I asked.
    “Disneyland.”
    “You’re kidding.”
    He lifted an eyebrow and that micro-smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. “Maybe exaggerating a little. You’ll see. This time, I believe I have a pleasant surprise.”
    I didn’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I have to admit I was wary it might turn out to be a Trojan horse. Merrick played everything so close to the chest, who knew what his ultimate motives might be.
    “Sergeant Merrick,” I started.
    “Yes, Hartley.”
    It hit me. He wasn’t just dropping the honorific. The way he said my name was subtly different. The almost smile was his own, but the conscious way he raised one eyebrow gave it away.
    “You’ve read my Star Trek novel,” I accused, fighting to keep my voice down. “You’re mimicking the Vulcan sergeant in the Starfleet Marines.”
    He chuckled softly, totally blowing the Vulcan mystique thing he had going.
    “It was irresistible,” he said. “This situation, you have to admit, is similar—though at least I don’t have to look forward to battling shape-shifters and berserker soldiers.”
    “You like Star Trek ?” I asked.
    “Don’t sound so incredulous. Many people like Star Trek . I have to admit, I don’t read a lot of science fiction, but I watched Star Trek as a kid and I’ve enjoyed reading your stories.”
    I picked up my teacup and took a sip. It was almost drinking temperature. Maybe when the cup was empty I’d be ready to take a chance at sleep. In the meantime . . . “What do you like to read?”
    His face screwed up in a wince. “You’ll laugh at me,” he said, in a perfectly serious