“It only takes three days to organize a license with the Fijian authorities, so the ceremony will be at the end of the week. Brigs has already booked his seat and is holding one for you on the same flight. He sorted it all out online while we chatted. The plane leaves at midnight and arrives at Nadi at three tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds good to me. I’ll call and confirm the seat.” Now he’d have the chance to see Saria in person, to make certain she was well. A touch of the tight pressure in his chest eased. He missed her, and as a bodyguard shouldn’t miss his client. He’d have to get his wayward emotions under control before he arrived.
“Great. I went ahead and ordered the chopper for you both. The pilot is leaving Nadi’s airbase at five AM, which means you won’t get any sleep, but at least you’ll be here by dawn, around the same time we’re due to sail in. I’ll have a cabin made ready for you both. Hey, how’s the girls’ case going?”
“Agent Gilchrist is still tidying away the details, though I’ve done all I can. I actually rang to check in on Saria. How’s she doing?”
“Still quite jumpy. We’ll all trying to work on unwinding her which is not an easy task.” Tyler’s clomping footsteps echoed down the line then a door banged shut. “I’m taking the phone to Saria now. Luke took her downstairs to play cards in the hope of distracting her. Luke mentioned she’s worried about you too.”
“She shouldn’t be. I’m not in any danger.” When her fears had first arisen and she hadn’t been getting any sleep, he’d taken her to see a therapist. The woman had assured him everything would blow over once Saria became more settled. The therapist had instructed him to give Saria whatever comfort she needed, and if that meant remaining close to her at night when she suffered the most, then to do so in a non-threatening way. He’d delivered, or at least he’d tried without stepping over that frustrating bodyguard-client line.
“Ben, living together for a year, no matter the circumstances, brings people closer together. Whether there’s danger or not, she’s going to worry. You should’ve rung her and touched base by now. Girls need that,” Tyler advised.
“Living together, yes, but I kept a professional distance even when I slept beside her.”
“And therein lies your problem. You allowed Saria to become dependent on you, and far more than I’ve ever seen you allow with another client before.”
“Her physical and emotional welfare were my responsibility, and I did whatever it took to ease her fears. She’s more than a client. She’s a friend. Put her on. Let me speak to her.” He couldn’t have her suffering. His gut would be in turmoil and eat him up.
“Almost there. I was poolside, and she’s two flights down. Saria, the phone’s for you.”
“Is it Ben?” Saria’s voice rolled over him, soothing him. “Ben, is everything okay? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, Saria. How are you feeling?”
“I’ll feel better if you keep talking. I need to hear your voice.”
“I’m outside the house now and have the last of your things in the boot of my car. What do you want me to do with them?”
“Just keep a hold of what’s there for me until I can grab it off you. Did you hear Tyler and Lydia are getting married? He asked her the day we set sail.” An edge of expectation laced her tone and he sensed her next question before she asked it. “Lydia said Tyler wanted you and Brigs to come for the wedding.”
At least he could allay that fear.
“We are.” He propped his butt on the hood of his car and stroked the shiny silver paintwork. “Brigs and I are flying out tonight. We’ll be there by dawn tomorrow.”
“Then you have to ring me, before you takeoff and again when you land. Sorry, stupid fears, but you have to.”
“It’s no problem.” He’d do whatever it took to ensure she remained at ease. “I’d have called before now if I’d known what you were going through. You want to talk about it?”
“I’m still not sleeping well at night. It’s difficult when you’re not beside me.”
“You’ve got your sister.”
“I miss you too.”
“You’re not permitted to miss your bodyguard.”
“I knew you’d say that.” She clicked her tongue as if telling him off. “Will your office run smoothly with you gone?”
“My office assistant is beyond organized.” His specialist team of bodyguards worked all over the country and Gladys ensured everything ticked along. He accepted jobs from government officials right through to local law enforcement. Long or short term. He never turned anything of value down.
“Saria, get back here now. Dylan’s cheating and I need your help.” The deep male voice rang in Ben’s ears.
“Is that Luke?” he asked, clenching his fist.
“Yes, and we’re playing poker. I’m finally getting a good grasp on the game.”
“How’s that?” He’d tried to teach her, but gotten nowhere.
“Well, I have to remove a piece of clothing every time I get an ace in the hand.”