I still find myself resisting the urge to get in her way and walk ahead of her so, if needed, I can take a bullet for her.
I also find myself closely watching the body language of my former fellow agents.
During one such instance, I am with President Samuels in the Los Angeles area on a May morning. We departed DC before dawn onAir Force Onebecause the president is slated to give a speech that afternoon. Our advance team swept and prepped a block of hotel suites at the venue, and has them ready for our arrival, which will be by motorcade because of the hotel’s proximity to the airport and there’s no helipad on the hotel roof.
Two points that make me fucking grumble but it’s notmycall. I’m sure I could’ve asked Chris to kick up a storm and either demand a change in venue, or commandeer a helipad on a nearby building that would make logistics easier, but my former boss prefers to pick and choose his battles and trusts the team to keep her safe.
Ahead of her speech tonight, President Samuels will privately meet with local lawmakers, high-profile DNC, DSCC, and DCCC officials, and donors, all with the goal of laying the groundwork for Elliot’s future campaign.
We arrived from the airport a few minutes earlier, and are being escorted inside the building through a series of service corridors, when the strides of the first four agents ahead of us falter. Two of them put fingers to their ears, so I know they’re listening to something coming through their radios.
I don’t know what the hell happened but every instinct inside me starts screaming. I immediately grab Shae by the wrist and pull her tightly against my side, even as I scoop my other arm around her shoulders and pivot us midstep.
The agents behind us have frozen, whether in response to whatever info is being relayed to them in their earpieces, or because of what I am doing. I shout it half a breath before the lead agents start bellowing it.
“Abort! Return Portia toAngel.Go go go!”
I’m basically carrying Shae under my arm as I pound back down the corridors at a dead run. We’re both swallowed by a living wall of suit-clad bodies sweeping us up in a flash flood of adrenaline. I know we’re plowing through the aides and others who were following us, and I don’t even care.
My job isn’t just to be her body man. My job, as requested by her husband—my friend and former boss—is to be another set of eyes on her and to protect her with my life.
Maybe I can’t be on The Shift any longer, not officially.
Buteveryworkday is still, for me, The Shift.
I’m running hunched over, doing my best to keep her down and low and hidden by my body and by the other agents. I’m wearing body armor—and so is she, at both my and Chris’ orders—but there are plenty of weapons that will punch through body armor like it’s wet tissue paper.
I, of course, am not allowed to carry a sidearm when with her. This moment, I’ve never felt more naked and vulnerable in my fucking life, except for that night in the club with Jordan.
I dive into the back of The Beast with Shae clutched against my body like it’s the Super Bowl, I’m the quarterback making a last-second tie-breaking play, and she’s the damn football. At least three agents land on top of us and the Beast is already moving even before I hear the heavy rear doors slam shut.
That gives me a second to actually take a damned breath as we all untangle ourselves. The agents who ended up inside with us move to the jump seats to either side.
I realize Shae’s yelling, and has been ever since I grabbed her and bolted. “What thefuck’sgoing on?”
Her lead agent made it inside with us. He wears a grim expression that freezes my heart even before he speaks. “Shooting, ma’am.”
“Here?”
He shakes his head and a blizzard washes through me.
“Please tell me Priest is okay,” I say before he can expound. I know Chris has a public appearance today, while Elliot should be safe at the White House.
“What?” Shae gasps.
“Priest is uninjured,” the agent confirms. “But Prophet’s down. Being transported now. Priest is with him. Refuses to let his agents return him to the residence.”
Shit.
Shae’s eyes go wide, and before she can say anything and betray secrets I know damn well they’ve tried their hardest to protect, I do what I’m sure Chris will agree with later, on the other side of the events. These agents might be sworn to secrecy but the fewer who know, the better.
I cup her face in my hands and press my forehead to hers, dropping my voice to a whisper. “Madam President.Shh. We’re returning toAir Force One, and need to get in the air.Now.”
“I have to get to Kev—”
“There are security protocols wehaveto follow. Wewillget updates, but you.Cannot.Be.There.”
I see a mix of grief and anger flash through her gaze, but she finally gives me a curt nod. Only then do I release her and sit back.
