of hair from her forehead, his other arm still around her waist. “Whoa. You’ve got a goose egg here.”
She felt the spot on the edge of her scalp. “I must have hit my head when I fell.”
He found himself not wanting to let go of her as she took a step back.
“What happened?” he asked.
“The lights went out, and like I said, I tripped.”
“That’s it?”
The lights came back on, this time completely illuminating her face. Wide eyes, furrowed brow, a frown and yet somehow undeniably adorable. He reined in his train of thought.
“As much as I don’t want to admit it,” she began, “Kate was right. I’m a bit accident-prone.”
“So this was just an accident?” He wasn’t sure he believed her.
“The lights went out. I tried to make it to my cabin and tripped.”
Alex glanced around him. They were past the row of chalets. From what he could see, the path continued on toward the watering hole.
“You’re past your cabin.”
She started walking back up the path. “You’d think I was paranoid if I told you that I thought someone was following me.”
Alex felt a wave of alarm strike. “Meghan, what happened?”
“Nothing. I heard a noise and went to investigate. It was probably just a baboon or someone on their way to their chalet.”
“Tell me exactly what you heard.”
“I don’t know, just some rustling in the bushes. Like I said, it was probably nothing. It’s been a long day and I’m tired, which means I’m imagining things. Someone I know has put ideas of sabotage in my head.”
“I’m sorry, but it seems a bit coincidental. First the brakes on the Jeep give out, and now you think someone was following you? Not to mention the thing that Kate brought up.”
Meghan laughed. “Please, you sound just like my father. He’s convinced that there is an evil plot behind everything. The Jeep’s brakes failed because the vehicle is old and the mechanic somehow missed it. Nothing more, nothing less.”
For a moment he considered simply telling her the truth. It seemed ridiculous to hide things from her, but he had made a promise. He’d call the ambassador tonight, update him on the situation and advise him that Meghan be told what was going on.
She stopped in front of one of the chalets. Number seven.
“This is your place?”
“Home, sweet home.”
He moved closer to her and wrapped an arm around her waist as she started up the stairs that looked as if they could use a bit of repair themselves.
“I can get up the stairs on my own.”
She pulled back, but he only tightened his grip. “And take the chance of falling again? I don’t think so.”
“Alex.”
“No arguing.” He helped her up the stairs and stopped at front of the door before giving her the space she wanted and he needed. “I want you to promise me one more thing.”
“What is that?”
“Lock your door tonight.”
“You’re being paranoid again.”
“I just want you to be smart—and safe. If there are poachers around, like you said, it’s worth being prudent.” He caught the doubt in her eyes. “Promise?”
“Promise.”
“Good.”
He took a step backward—physically and emotionally. He wasn’t going to let himself get too attached. Not this time. Not again. His only plan was to keep Meghan safe for the ambassador until the election was over in two weeks, and then he was going to leave.
Until then, maintaining distance would help him do his job effectively. It would make Meghan safer. And it would help him protect the heart he never wanted to put at risk again.
* * *
Thirty minutes later, Alex finally got through to her father. “Ambassador Jordan. This is Alex Markham.”
“I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Is my daughter okay?”
“Yes, but now that I’m here, I believe that in order for me to effectively do my job, I need to tell your daughter the truth—”
“No. Please. You promised me you wouldn’t tell her anything.”
“I don’t think you understand, Ambassador. Meghan is...independent. I can and will do everything I can to ensure she is safe, but without her knowledge of who I am and how she’s at risk, there is only so much I can do. I can’t find a reason to be with her twenty-four hours a day.”
“I need you to do this without her knowing.” His voice softened. “If she finds out, I’ll lose her. I’ve already dragged her into many dangerous situations. She’ll blame me for messing up this job. For always interfering.”
“You’re not going to lose her, sir. She knows you love her.”
“Has something happened to make you think the men who contacted me are making good on their threats?”
“At this point, I’m not sure.” Alex hesitated. Everything that had taken place could be explained away as coincidence, just like Meghan believed, but if she was wrong...
“The brakes went out on our vehicle today. She’s certain that maintenance missed the problem. The terrain is rough here, and I can’t be sure that this was related to the threats you’ve received.”
“But it could be related to the threats, and you know it.”
“Either way, let me tell her the truth.”
“Not yet. Just promise me you’ll take care of her. Because if I lose Meghan, I lose everything. Please, Alex. I’m trusting you to take care of my daughter.”
Ice shot through Alex at the memory of another family who had trusted him with their daughter. He’d let that family down. He wouldn’t—couldn’t—fail again.
“I’ll do everything I can to keep Meghan safe, sir. You have my word.”
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