Free Lethal Engagement (An Unbounded Novella) by Teyla Branton Page B

that was Unbounded wanted to tell her to stiffen up a bit. Weakness meant danger.
    “I knew it was a good idea, Patrick having a fiancée,” Lucinda continued. “I mean, that girl somehow got past all the security at the White House. I’m glad his father and those over Homeland Security aren’t leaving it only up to the Secret Service anymore. It’s good to have another layer of protection.”
    Homeland Security? I waited for Patrick to correct her. The Secret Service agents were actually under the Department of Homeland Security, and they had other employees and associates who weren’t Secret Service, but we weren’t here with their knowledge. And although President Mann had been involved in the decision, he wasn’t exactly calling the shots, either. He knew the Renegades considered Patrick family and would protect him without any kind of order.
    I glanced at Patrick, who had opened his mouth, but he closed it again without speaking.
    “It’s nice to meet you,” I said to Lucinda.
    Keene shook her hand next and then removed an instrument from his bag and began walking around the room, testing for listening devices. He had been avoiding my gaze since the events in the car, and I let him for now. Still, I couldn’t help watching him as he worked, his lean muscles taut and panther-like. For no reason at all, I thought of the closet in Venezuela. Had he already Changed then?
    “Let’s get some pictures for the media,” Patrick said, motioning Luce toward me. She laughed lightly, and Patrick responded by kissing her cheek.
    “Apparently, we’re going to be best friends.” Lucinda slipped an arm around me. “I know we won’t have time for shopping and such, but I’m excited to tag along in the background to be near Patrick. I’m still hoping things will die down, though.”
    “They will,” Patrick said. “Soon Unbounded will be just like any other race—even if that means I have to personally talk to every reporter and visit every school in the United States. Speaking of schools, I believe I’m supposed to speak at a grade school today.”
    “Oh, I hoped to spend a little time with you first.” Lucinda grimaced and even that looked queenly on her. She may not like the limelight, but the public would love her. Maybe I could help her move in that direction, so after my future “breakup” with Patrick, she could face a life in the limelight. If she loved Patrick, and I believed she did, she’d learn.
    Patrick took her hand. “We have until ten. That’s better than before, right?” He looked at me. “You don’t mind if I hang out here, do you?”
    “Of course not. Enjoy yourselves. We’ll just work around you.”

    KEENE AND I CHECKED PATRICK’S suite, Keene’s quarters, and my own, finding no bugs. That was good news. Then we had a large breakfast served in my suite, despite the fact that no one had requested food. The cook brought it herself on a trolley with elegant dishes that looked more like they belonged in a museum than on our table. The woman herself looked nothing like I thought a cook should look. She was young and pretty with brown eyes, her skin was faintly bronzed by the sun, and her willowy figure looked more like it belonged to a dancer than a cook. She appeared too serious, though, to even listen to dance music.
    “This is Susan,” Patrick said, sitting beside me on the couch. “She’s been with me since Europe.”
    Susan dipped her head. “Nice to meet you. I hope you like bacon.”
    “Love it. Nice to meet you too.” I reached for a piece of bacon before remembering that I wasn’t back at the Fortress, but Susan simply handed me a plate and didn’t comment on my lack of table manners. Keene pointedly took out the case Cort had given us on the plane to check for poisoning. Stifling a sigh, I put the bacon on the plate and reached for a napkin.
    “Thank you, Susan,” Lucinda said. “It looks so lovely, as usual.”
    “It’s good to see you again, Miss Lucinda. Who