Master Unchained (Stealth Guardians Book 2) Read Free Page B

Tessa didn’t. After all, there was no such thing as a free lunch. Particularly not in politics, where everything had its price, and everybody was for sale.
    But Poppy continued, “Besides, do you really think that Gunn hasn’t taken donations from less than savory sources?”
    “I don’t care what Gunn is doing. I’m not like him.”
    Poppy sighed. “I know that. But I don’t think you recognize the seriousness of your situation. Somebody wants you dead, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to reject Faldo’s offer to send a bodyguard for you.”
    “A bodyguard? You mean one of his goons?”
    “I’ve never been called a goon before,” a deep voice said from the doorway.
    Startled, Tessa jumped up and peered past Poppy. A tall man was leaning casually against the doorframe. He looked to be in his thirties, with thick, dark brown hair and dark stubble on his square chin. His eyes were dark—chocolate brown if she had to describe them. His cargo pants and casual shirt outlined his muscular physique, making him look like he was ready for combat. She ran her eyes over him, unable to look away. She’d never seen a man with such presence . Confidence oozed from every pore of his body. There was no doubt that his mere physical proximity could intimidate anybody. Though his photo could just as easily appear next to the word heartthrob in any dictionary.
    Poppy whirled around. “You must be Mr. MacGregor. Mr. Faldo sent word earlier to expect you.”
    “I knocked, but I guess nobody heard me.” Easing the door shut behind him, the man met Poppy halfway and shook her hand, his gaze straying past her to Tessa. “Hamish MacGregor, at your service. But nobody calls me Mr. MacGregor. I go by Hamish.”
    Only now could Tessa hear the slight Scottish accent. It made her insides tingle pleasantly, and her pulse kick up a notch.
    Poppy gave a soft laugh, one Tessa was only too familiar with: it always surfaced when Poppy was attracted to somebody. And who wouldn’t be attracted to Hamish MacGregor? But she wouldn’t let a handsome face and a toned physique sway her in her conviction not to accept help from a criminal.
    “Mr. Mac—”
    “And you must be Miss Wallace,” Hamish interrupted, stepping around the desk and offering his hand.
    Short of being rude, Tessa felt obliged to shake his hand. “Yes. But as I just told my campaign manager, I don’t need a bodyguard.”
    Hamish lifted one side of his mouth. “From the little I heard, it sounded more like you don’t want to be protected by one of Mr. Faldo’s goons.”
    She stiffened. Just how much of her conversation with Poppy had he overheard? “Well, since we’re being blunt: I can’t be associated with Mr. Faldo’s… uh… operation.”
    He scrutinized her now, looking her up and down. “I’m not in Mr. Faldo’s employ, if that’s what troubles you.”
    “Maybe not on a regular basis, but he’s footing the bill,” she protested. And that meant she’d still be beholden to him in one way or another.
    Hamish lifted an eyebrow. “I believe there’s been a little misunderstanding. Mr. Faldo is only arranging my services. He’s not paying for them.”
    She stared at Poppy, who nodded. “I thought I told you that I approached the Foodworkers’ Union and got them to cover the expense.”
    Embarrassment swept through Tessa. “Oh. Why didn’t you… I… uh…”
    “Guess I forgot. I’m juggling way too many things right now,” Poppy answered and looked at her watch. “Speaking of juggling, I’ve got a meeting with a reporter. Gotta go.” She marched to the door. “Nice meeting you, Hamish.”
    “Poppy… That still doesn’t mean I can accept…” But Poppy was already gone, leaving her alone with the handsome stranger.
    This was never going to work. She couldn’t accept this man as her bodyguard. How would she go about her work with him hovering over her? Besides, weren’t bodyguards supposed to blend into the background? There was no