Julia

A few minutes earlier

The bodyguard and I stepped outside to the waiting black sedan. When we approached the car, he opened the door to the back seat and peered inside. “Mr. Sherman, sorry for the delay.” Taking a step back, my chaperone held the door open for me.

I entered the car, my senses filling with the scent of Van’s cologne.

“Hi,” I grinned as I settled onto the seat beside Van. “I tried to leave my ...