Guard of Hope (The Intrepid Bodyguard Series) by Tracie Delaney

Author:Tracie Delaney [Delaney, Tracie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Firefly Publishing Limited
Published: 2022-01-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Can I use your bathroom?” Hope asked as Beth put the finishing touches on her hair with a spritz of hairspray. Her voice rasped, the rapidly approaching escape attempt making it difficult to breathe. She’d managed to remain somewhat calm while Beth had cut and colored her hair, but now that it had come down to this, her lungs were at the point of collapsing in on themselves.

“Of course.” Beth played along, pointing to a narrow corridor beside the row of sinks. “It’s right through there.”

“Thanks.” Hope slung the strap of her handbag over her shoulder and set off. Adam’s voice behind her pulled her to a halt.

“Where are you going?”

Hope spun around. “The bathroom.”

Adam shook his head. “This has already taken longer than I thought it would. We’ll be late for the restaurant if we don’t leave now. You can pee once we get there.”

Hope’s tongue suddenly felt too big for her mouth, and she forced a swallow past a narrow throat.

“I can’t wait. I’m bursting. It’s all the coffee.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “Fine. Make it quick. I’ll call ahead and let them know we’re running late.”

“Why don’t you settle up with Beth? That will speed things up.”

“Good idea.”

Adam wandered over to the payment point. Hope met Beth’s eyes. The woman tipped her head ever so slightly, a silent message to hurry. Hope darted to the end of the corridor and burst into the bathroom.

She swept her gaze around the small space. Two stalls, two sinks, a hand dryer, and a stool tucked in the corner. Out of place, but here especially for her. She dragged it over to the window and climbed up, poking her head outside. A narrow alleyway ran the length of the array of shops on this street. Hope scrambled up onto the windowsill and dropped to the ground with a soft thud.

She didn’t hesitate. Powering her thighs, she lurched forward, sprinting to the left. As she approached the end of the alleyway, a car pulled up, the back door already open. Its tires screeched as the driver suddenly braked. Hope dove inside, keeping her head down. The car sped away.

“Oh God, oh God.”

She clawed at her throat, gasping for air, her heart pushing oxygenated blood around her system, flooding her with adrenaline that forced a violent shaking from her limbs.

“You’re okay.” Zander’s gentle tone fought its way through the fog of cotton wool clouding her brain. “It’s me, Hope. You’re okay.”

She found herself on his lap, his familiar scent wrapping around her in a protective cloak, his hands rubbing her back.

“Hold still.”

He brandished what looked like a wand and began running it over her.

“What are you doing?”

“Checking for bugs.”

Her eyes widened. “You think Freddie planted a tracker on me?”

“Who knows? I’m just being cautious.”

Zander finished up in a minute or so, setting the wand thing beside him.

“You’re clean. Give me your phone.”

“I don’t have it with me. I left it at Freddie’s.”

“Good girl. Smart move.”

“Oh God, Zander. Adam was there. He came with me.

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