Dropped out of college, joined the military for a while. He was discharged for unsatisfactory performance of duty and conduct unbecoming.”
“I’m surprised Taite is allowing him anywhere near his daughter,” Jordan murmured.
Lilly’s smile was all teeth and disgust. “He’s still royalty, my dear Mr. Malone. As fifth cousin to Lord Grant, he’s also somewhere around twelfth cousin to the Queen Mother.”
Jordan’s brow arched. “Lineage, huh?’
“Lineage.” Lilly rolled her eyes. Anyone related to the Queen Mother placed a stamp on that kinship and proclaimed it far and wide.
“Beauregard won’t be a problem,” Jordan said. “Journey knows Tehya’s identity as Teylor Johnson and nothing more.” He looked at each man in turn. “Don’t take your eyes off her. Tehya is of primary importance, and tracking down whoever gave the order to attack her home is imperative. I want it over.” His voice hardened. “I want her safe.”
And as each man stared back at him he knew they understood, and they agreed.
Nothing mattered more to them than the protection of their wives, just as nothing mattered more to him than the protection of his … He gave himself a mental shake. Nothing mattered more than protecting Tehya and returning her to the life she had chosen for herself.
Because any life she chose would be far better than that of a life with a man who had learned long, long ago the perils of believing in love, and in happily ever-afters.
Nothing lasted forever.
CHAPTER 11
Tehya could think of far better things to do than to make an entrance at a party of politicians and their supporters. A root canal. A broken bone. Hell, being in the middle of a violent conflict in the most dense of jungles. And she hated the jungle. She hated it almost as much as the political parties.
But she had to admit there was a sense of excitement, a flare of pure feminine pride as all eyes turned to view their entrance, especially those of the women.
Like Tehya, they couldn’t take their eyes off Jordan.
Savage and dangerous, a sleek mature male animal, confident and primal, he was an instinctive draw to any female with hormones. And the women here seemed to have plenty of hormones if their sudden interest was anything to go by.
Walking down the short flight of steps, her hand placed comfortably in the crook of Jordan’s arm, she let herself pretend for the moment that they were a true couple. They were simply there to support a friend. There was no danger, no haunting past. There was nothing to worry about, no reason to be concerned or frightened.
He had asked her earlier to trust him. What he didn’t know, what he didn’t understand, was that she had always trusted him.
“Jordan Malone.” Senator Richard Stanton stepped forward, a warm smile on his face as his blue eyes twinkled merrily. Hand outstretched, he welcomed Jordan’s handshake with obvious familiarity before clapping him on the back and turning to Tehya. “Teylor Johnson, you’re as completely gorgeous as ever.”
“Senator.” Face uplifted, she accepted the brush of his lips against her cheek as a real smile tugged at her lips.
She had always enjoyed the meetings she attended where the senator was in attendance. As Jordan’s personal assistant for the past six years, she had had the pleasure of working with the older man often in his capacity of a committee member of the Elite Ops Command.
“You’ve met my daughter and son-in-law?” The senator turned to Kell and Emily Krieger.
“Hello, Tey.” Emily greeted her cheekily, her blue eyes sparkling merrily at the obvious knowledge that Teylor wasnt her real name.
Kell’s welcome was just as warm, his dark green gaze amused as he observed the interest they were drawing.
“It’s wonderful to see you again, Jordan,” the senator declared with robust friendliness. “Come to the bar with me, we’ll get a drink and see a few people I know are eager to meet with you.”
As the senator accompanied them across the room, Tehya watched as the crowd parted, as avid gazes locked on to them. And she saw the two young women standing together. One fiery haired, the other blond. One familiar yet confused, the other coolly composed, her expression arrogant.
Journey and her sister Alexa. They were as different as night and day. Journey with her red-gold hair, and Alexa looking like an ice princess. Next to them was their handsome brother Royce, his hair and eyes dark, his expression cold. His gaze was harder, almost dead. It wasn’t even icy. It was just empty as