First Daughter || (n.j.)

Chapter 1

Nick's POV

I was sitting outside my commanding officer's office on a particularly hot day in July. Washington DC was horrendously muggy this time of year and even though I was in shorts and a t-shirt, I was still dripping sweat.

I was meant to be off for the next few months. That's why I wasn't wearing my usual secret service uniform. We had just completed a mission protecting the President from an assassination attempt and my unit was given a few weeks off as a reward. That's why when I got Lt. Daniels message this morning during my run, I was a little surprised. He hasn't given any details, just asked me to meet him at his office. More like told. I don't think that man has ever asked someone to do something in his entire life.

I give him a hard time but he is a great boss. He's incredibly intelligent and knows so much about what goes on around here. He looks much older than his 40 years but I hear that's what the secret service does for you. They send you packing with a pension, wrinkles, and gray hair.

"Jonas!" Lt Daniels yells. "Great to see you! How has your time off been?"

"It's been great, sir. Ready to get back to work though."

"That's what I like to hear!" He said slapping my back. "Come on in. We've got a lot to talk about."

I followed him into his office and sat down in the chair across from him. He looked pretty laid back and happy so I figured whatever this urgent case was, it wasn't too dangerous. The last time I had been called to one of these things, I had wound up under ground with the President for two weeks while intelligence cleared the threat. Complete idiots up there in intelligence. I would have had it cleared in minutes. But ever since my first sting with President Ryan, he always requested me to be his protection. Not that I minded it, he was a cool guy and it was way more exciting than giving tours at the White House.

"I'm glad you could come on such short notice. President Ryan asked for you by name, this is his most important and top secret project for you yet. I don't know much more than that. Are you up for the challenge?"

"Of course." I said wondering what it could possibly be.

"Great. Head on down to briefing and they will fill you in on the rest. Good to have you back." He stood up and shook my hand.

I made my way down the hall to the briefing room, all the while trying to figure out what was going on. Hopefully they would send me somewhere cooler this time. I was getting sick of the heat.

"Jonas, good to see you man!" Brock greeted me as I came in.

"You too man! What's this top secret mission you have for me?"

He smirked. "Welcome to operation Edia."

"Edia?"

"It means princess over in England. You'll find out why soon enough. Come with me."

Maybe they were sending me to England. I could be on board with that!

I sat down in the conference room with Brock and the chief of briefing. He slid a file across the table towards me.

"Jonas, President Ryan has asked for you specifically on this." He scratched his head. "Although I think you're resources could be used elsewhere, he is insisting."

What the hell was going on?

"Okay..."

"President Ryan's daughter Harper is coming to spend a few months in the states. She's been living in England with a relative attending school but on her break this year she is coming to visit her parents."

President Ryan had a daughter?! I have worked for the man for 2 years and had no idea. Now it was making sense, Operation Edia. English Princess.

"I didn't realize he had a daughter." I managed to say.

"Not many people do. He believes it's safer that way. However this week he received several threats referencing her."

"If we don't even know about her, how do the terrorists?"

"That's precisely the problem. We have no idea how they found out. But now that they know, it's incredibly dangerous."

I nodded.

"President Ryan doesn't want her to know anything about the threats. He thinks interrupting the trip would make her think something was going on. So while she's here, we will have the highest level of security with her at all times."

"Without her knowing?"

"As much as possible. She will know you as the secret service agent assigned to her but that's it."

"How credible are these threats?"

"We aren't sure. We only found out about then today."

"Jesus." I said rubbing my fingers through my hair. Terrorists were after a little girl and somehow I had to keep her safe without ever letting her know she was in danger. This was going to be interesting.

"You'll pick her up at the airport in an hour. She will be alone with her security detail from England and you will intercept her, bringing her here."

"And after that?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

I drove to the airport with a thousand questions running through my mind. If she was in so much danger, why would they let a little girl fly by herself just with a few security officers?

I parked the car and went inside. I wasn't very good with kids but I knew enough to stop and grab a coloring book and some crayons for her on my way.

As I waited at the gate, I was on high alert for anything that looked suspicious.

Soon I saw two security officers walking towards me. Show time. Oh never mind. They were with a woman. What are the odds that there were two groups with security in this flight.

"Agent Jonas?" One of the officers said approaching me.

"Yes?"

"Can I see some ID?"

I showed him my badge a little confused.

"Great." He said and lifted his wrist. "The package has been delivered." He said into a speaker in his watch.

"I'm sorry?" Both officers ignored me and turned to the woman.

"Harper, this is Agent Jonas, he will be taking you to see your parents." One of the men said.

This was Harper? This was President Ryan's daughter who needed protection?! This was... This was definitely going to be more interesting than I thought.

"Thank you, John." She said kissing his cheek. "Have a safe trip home, I will see you in a few months."

"Stay safe Edia." He kissed her cheek as well and the two men disappeared.

"Hello."'she smiled.

"Hi Harper." I said trying to sound as professional as possible.

"Agent Jonas is that right?"

"Yes." I said taking her bag from her.

"Is Jonas your first or last name?"

"Last. My first name is Nick."

"Well Nick, it's a pleasure to meet you." She said lightly putting her hand on my shoulder. "Where I am from, we greet each other like this." She leaned in slowly and I felt her lips lightly caress my cheek.

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

My summer had just gotten a whole lot now interesting.