The Candidate ✓ (Book Two)

Chapter Twelve

  This trip is the last time I'll get to relax- at all, for the next two years. Mina's birthday is on the last day- so she'll actually be able to spend time with her brother on that date for the first time ever. This'll also be the first time she'll get to see him twice within the same month.

  Needless to say, she's excited. Joseph believes it's safe enough for her now- but encouraged us to bring her new security team anyways. We would have even if he said no for whatever reason.

  I stand in front of the mirror now, my eyes still puffy from sleep. Hairs stick out of my bun in every direction- and my scar seems to be extra prominent today, though it's barely visible on most. The oversized grey t-shirt I slept in hangs just past my knees, making my body look hilariously disproportionate. I sigh- anybody else could get away with just putting on some sweatpants, but there are cameras following me everywhere now. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel like strangling the cameramen sometimes.

  I remove the tie holding my hair up. It falls over my shoulders and just past my waist. My hair's the only thing that hasn't changed as of late. Sure, it's shorter than it used to be- but I could braid it and it'd still go to my waist. I roughly tug a brush through it and shove it back into its bun, spraying the living shit out of my baby hairs until they decide to join the rest of it.

  With the bun now slicked back and perfect, I grab a pair of  grey plaid pants, a white shirt- and the blazer that goes with the aforementioned pants. The world has seen me without makeup enough that it doesn't really matter, but when I look back at the pictures of myself without it, I cringe. I hate the feeling of it on my face- so the second I'm no longer in the public's view, I always remove it.

  I spend about ten minutes making myself not look like a goblin anyways. Kyle walks in about halfway through to get ready himself, and I playfully shove him when he plants kisses on my neck. "Later." I say. "Somebody has to break in that guest room."

  He groans. "You're torturing me."

  "Poor you-" I laugh, applying a coat of mascara. "I think you'll live for another eleven-ish hours." He steals a quick kiss anyways. As I'm finishing up my makeup by applying a twenty four hour nude lip, he steps in the shower and tosses his clothes over the tinted glass.

  "Plenty of room in here-"He jokes. "If you want to join me."

  "Later." I repeat, and walk out into our room. I grab  the bag I packed last night, and close the door to our room behind me.

  "Let me get that for you, ma'm." One of the newer agents offers.

  "Thank you, but I've got it." I reply.

  "No, I insist." I can see in his eyes that he means well. But it still bugs me. Motherfucker are you deaf?

  "How long have you been in the secret service?" I ask.

  "Three years." He reveals.

  "Then you should know that when a protectee says they don't want help, they don't want help. I'm far from helpless, agent- what's your name?" I question him.

  "Ritter." He quickly verifies. "Agent Ritter."

  "Well Ritter- if you're going to be stuck with us for the next two years you might as well learn now how stubborn I am." I pick my bag up from it's place on the floor and walk down the steps. He mumbles code words into his work phone, communicating my change in location to the other agents stationed throughout and around the house.

  Mina's already ready, her purple suitcase sitting beside her on the couch. I plop down on the other side. "Ya still mad at me?" I ask.

  She sighs. "I'm not.. not mad at you, but I can't stay pissed forever. It won't change your decision, will it?"