PREVIOUSLY ON BODYGUARD . . .

“Bodyguards are the modern-day samurai warriors,” declared Colonel Black, clicking up an image of a Japanese swordsman on the overhead projector. “Like these ancient warriors, the bodyguard’s duty is to protect their Principal above all else.”

To fulfill that duty, new Guardian recruit Connor Reeves gets a crash course in unarmed combat . . .

“Have you heard of Bruce Lee’s one-inch punch?”

Connor nodded.

“Well, this is the one-inch push.”

With barely more than a flick of his wrist, Steve palmed Connor in the chest. Taken completely by surprise, Connor staggered backward and then collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. A concussive wave of pain spread through his lungs, and his chest felt as if it had imploded.

“Effective, isn’t it?”

After only ten weeks of training, Connor is shocked to be assigned his first mission—to protect Alicia Mendez, the US president’s daughter . . .

Marc whistled through his teeth in awe. “Better you than me, Connor.”

“Yeah,” agreed Ling. “You’re going in at the deep end!”

Connor thought there had to be some sort of mistake. “They’re right, Colonel. I haven’t even done a test operation yet.”

The colonel looked him in the eye. “I won’t lie to you, Connor. This is the highest-profile assignment the Guardian has ever been involved in. For us, we’re taking a huge gamble. For you, it will be a baptism of fire.”

But Connor’s mission is complicated by an impulsive Principal . . .

“Care to join me on a little adventure?” whispered Alicia, a mischievous grin on her face.

“What do you mean?” asked Connor.

Alicia glanced toward an emergency exit at the back of the store.

Immediately grasping her intentions, Connor replied, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Oh, don’t be such a killjoy! Even a soldier’s son must have broken the rules.”

“Your father wouldn’t be happy.”

“I don’t care what he thinks,” she shot back. “Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Little does Alicia know that a terrorist sleeper cell has been activated, its mission to take the president’s daughter hostage . . .

“Eagle Chick has taken the bait.”

“All according to plan, then,” said Malik. “And you’re certain her messages have been blocked?”

Bahir nodded with a self-satisfied grin.

“Good work, Bahir. You certainly excelled in the task I set.”

He looked over at Hazim in the driver’s seat. “And well done, Hazim, for planting the bug in the first place.”

Hazim managed an anxious smile as Bahir announced, “Target is five minutes out.”

But the terrorists didn’t plan for Connor Reeves as her guardian . . .

“We’ll never make it.”

“Imagine you’re at a track meet racing to the finish line,” said Connor.

Alicia managed a strained smile. “Okay, but I’m usually not shot at!”

She took a deep breath and steeled herself for the perilous sprint.

“On your mark,” said the driver. “Three . . . two . . .”

Gripping the handle of his backpack, Connor prayed the liquid body armor would do its job.

“. . . one . . . GO!”

And when the stakes become life or death, Connor is determined to protect Alicia . . . no matter the cost . . .

Connor sensed the tight knot of terror in Alicia’s heart at being left to cope on her own.

“I won’t leave you,” he said.

“But you might not have a choice.”

Connor held Alicia close. “I made a promise to your father that I’d protect you, just like my father protected yours. And I will . . . on my life.”

Now Connor embarks on his second thrilling assignment . . .