Page 126 of Redemption
Yet again, my own security team had disappointed me. The problem was bigger than I’d realized, and it made me even more grateful that we’d hired Jackson as our chief of security.
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Mackenzie,” he said, wide-eyed. “We know that you like to get to know your employees. We just assumed…”
“You assumed incorrectly.” The adrenaline was fading, and I couldn’t maintain this façade much longer.
“I’m sorry,” he said again. “I didn’t recognize her, but she was wearing the uniform. I did question her, but she said she was new.”
“We will discuss this later,” Jackson bit out, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Yes, sir. Of course.” The security guard backed out of the room.
As soon as the door closed, I sagged. It was as if everything hit me at once. The blackmail. The gun. My fear for Jackson.
He caught me before I could fall to the floor. He scooped me up and carried me to the bed.
“Are you hurt?” He scanned my face, my body, with fear in his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m…” I closed my eyes, but I saw an image of the bullet hitting Jackson. I opened them to block out the picture, but I started crying instead, unable to shake it. “I was terrified she was going to shoot you.”
“Me?” He placed my hand over my heart. “Sloan, baby. You did so well. You were so brave. And you gave me the perfect opening. I’m okay.” He kissed me. “We’re both okay.”
I nodded even as tears streamed down my cheeks. “I know.” I was so choked up, I could barely speak. “I know.”
He pulled me to him, holding me close. Letting me hear the reassuring cadence of his heartbeat. He was alive. We were okay.
“I’m so sorry. I should’ve had another bodyguard come from Hudson, but your threat level had been downgraded after Sheldon was caught.”
“It’s not your fault, Jackson,” I said to his chest, soaking his shirt with my tears. “I wish I’d listened to you and my brothers. You were right about Edward. About everything.”
He sighed, brushing a hand over my hair. “I don’t want to be right. I just want you to be safe. And once I’m chief of security, I can assure you that shit like this will never happen again.”
He held me tight, giving me the time and space I needed.
After a while, I’d calmed down and the tears had stopped. “What will happen to her?”
“The team might scare her a little. Give her a taste of her own medicine. But then they’ll turn her in to the authorities. Her dickhead brother too. And we’ll make sure all copies—digital or physical—of the photos are destroyed.”
“I’m—” I opened my mouth. Closed it. Opened it once more. “I don’t even know what to say.”
Deep down, I’d always known I didn’t belong with Edward. I only wished I’d trusted my gut sooner, that I hadn’t been so stubborn.
“You don’t have to say anything.” He brushed my hair aside. “It’s over now. I promise. The only thing that would devastate me is the thought of losing you.”
Surprisingly, I believed him. Because I trusted in my ability to protect myself. And I trusted that Jackson would never let anything happen to me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Sloan smiled at me over her shoulder, my hand in hers as she tugged me down the hall toward the bedroom of our suite. We’d arrived in LA earlier in the day, and it was official—my assignment was over. I was no longer Sloan’s executive protection agent, and I was no longer employed by Hudson Security.
I still needed to turn in my badge, but soon, everyone at Hudson would know that I’d resigned. It was bittersweet—leaving the company that had given me purpose again after being discharged from the SEALs. But I knew this transition was a good thing, especially since it meant I got to work with Sloan.
And after witnessing yet another failure of the Huxley Grand security protocols, I was eager to get started on overhauling their systems. I certainly had my work cut out for me, but I was excited to have the power to make positive change.
Vaughn had already sent a team to the Huxley Grand LA where we were staying, and they would keep an eye on Sloan when I couldn’t. We’d met her new executive protective agent, and Vaughn had promised us that Shea was the best. She’d better be, though I’d never let anything happen to Sloan.
Shea, aka Beef, had come from the New York office. I hadn’t worked with her before, but everyone at Hudson spoke highly of her. Vaughn and I were on better terms. And while I knew he was still disappointed about my resignation from Hudson and the circumstances surrounding it, he’d congratulated me on my new job and wished me all the best.
Fortunately, Sheldon, Edward, and Amelia had been arrested. Sloan seemed a lot more at ease, though I could tell it still bothered her. It was understandable—she’d been betrayed and threatened. Blackmailed. Held at gunpoint.