Bodyguard: Ambush (Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

futures to protect
     others.’ She shook her head in sad disbelief. ‘What is the world coming to
     when an organization like this is even
needed
?’
    Connor’s gran turned back to him, her
     expression set. ‘I’m no longer comfortable with this Buddyguard arrangement.
     Not any more.’
    ‘But, Gran, I can assure you, the
     risks are minimal,’ insisted Connor. ‘We’re very well trained and plan
     for all eventualities.’
    ‘Obviously not
all
eventualities,’ retorted his gran, directing her gaze to Charley in the living
     room. ‘I want you to quit. Before something terrible happens to you.’
    ‘But I can’t,’ argued
     Connor. ‘It pays for all the care you and mum need.’
    ‘I know … I know,’ said his
     gran, taking a step towards him and cupping his face between her palms, just like she
     used to when he was a little lad. She studied it with a pained expression of love and
     deep concern. ‘There’s so much of your father in you. And of course I
     realize this organization pays for our care. But at
what
cost
     exactly?’

‘You two took your time,’
     remarked his mum, breaking away from her conversation with Charley as Connor and his
     gran came back into the living room. ‘We thought you must have been scoffing all
     the biscuits!’
    ‘No, dear, I just spilt some tea on
     the floor,’ Gran explained, settling into her armchair.
    ‘But it’s all cleared up now,
     isn’t it, Gran?’ said Connor as he placed the tray on a side table.
    In return, she offered him a tight-lipped
     smile. After much persuasion, he’d managed to convince her that he should continue
     being a bodyguard, at least for the time being. He’d assured her that he
     wasn’t assigned to the next mission so would be safe back at HQ. His gran had
     relented, albeit reluctantly, but only on the proviso they’d discuss the issue
     again at the Easter break. She was adamant that he shouldn’t be risking his own
     life to pay for their care. Connor, however, felt differently. With his father dead, he
     had a responsibility to provide for his family, especially when their needs were so
     great – even if there were risks.
    Connor certainly
     wasn’t blind to the dangers. He’d faced deadly situations on both his
     missions so far. But his training, and admittedly some luck, had helped him to survive.
     Besides, he didn’t
want
to leave Buddyguard. The intensity of the
     training and the pressure of being on a mission had forged an invisible bond between the
     members of Alpha team. They were now his closest and most trusted friends. He
     didn’t want to break that bond, especially with Charley.
    ‘I like your hairstyle in this
     photo,’ said Charley, holding up a picture of him at five years old. He was
     wearing just a pair of shorts and held an ice lolly in one hand. His green-blue eyes
     were bright with delight and his dark brown hair was shaped into a humiliating bowl cut,
     a far cry from the spiky modern style he now sported.
    Connor squirmed with embarrassment when he
     realized his mum had pulled out the family album. ‘Mum! That’s
not
cool.’
    ‘But it’s a mother’s
     prerogative to embarrass her teenage son,’ she said, sharing a mischievous wink
     with Charley. ‘In fact, I was thinking of telling Charley about the time you put
     your underpants on your head and –’
    ‘No!’ cut in Connor,
     mortified.
    Charley suppressed a giggle and pointed to
     another photo of him dressed as Superman. ‘You were so cute as a little boy. What
     happened to you?’ she teased.
    ‘I decided to keep my alter ego
     hidden,’ replied Connor, retrieving the family album from her and returning it to
     its rightful place on the shelf. He gave Charley an imploring look. ‘Please
     don’t tell anyone back at school.’
    ‘Too
     late.’ She held up her smartphone. ‘I’ve shared it online.’
    Connor’s jaw dropped in dismay.
     ‘You’re not serious, are you?’
    Charley and his mum burst into