Page 120 of Death Wish

She pointed to the screen. “The last phone conversation between Trevor and Ember was two days ago. Trevor knows I’m here.”

A muscle ticked in Jesse’s jaw. The jerk was probably already in Hartman. He’d be a fool to try to take Simone from the Fortress compound. A security force that wouldn’t give any quarter would take White down in a heartbeat. They took the protection of their Fortress family seriously. If White posed a threat, he would be stopped or killed without a second thought.

“I’m not leaving you here alone,” Jesse said. “You have a choice. You can stay with me at my place, you can stay in a hotel suite where I’ll sleep on the couch, or I’ll be sleeping here on your couch. Bottom line is I’m staying with you.”

She glanced at Goose. “A hotel wouldn’t allow him to stay with me. I won’t leave him alone. I wouldn’t put it past Trevor to hurt Goose to get back at me.”

“That leaves staying here or at my place. Which do you choose?”

“Do you mind staying here? Goose isn’t housebroken yet. I don’t want him to mess up your floors.”

“Don’t care about that. I only want you safe. I can replace floors but I can’t replace you.”

“Do you want my help keeping watch overnight?”

He shook his head. “You’re still recovering from two gunshot wounds.”

“Jesse, you can’t stay awake all night.”

“Baby, I do it all the time when we’re on a mission.”

“I realize that, but I’d rather you had someone to split a watch shift with so you’re not exhausted when you’re deployed.”

Simone had a point. “All right. I’ll call Sawyer and see if he can stay with us.”

She beamed at him. “Thank you, Jesse. I’ll make more coffee and lay out snacks for both of you.”

After she went to the kitchen, Jesse pulled out his phone and called his teammate.

“Miss me already?” Sawyer said in greeting.

“Ha. You wish. I need a favor.”

“Anything. What do you need?”

“Someone to spell me on night watch.”

Silence, then, “What’s going on?”

Jesse summarized what Simone discovered.

Sawyer whistled. “Whew. A betrayal like that is rough. I’m heading to Simone’s house now. See you in a few minutes.”

“Thanks, man. I owe you one.”

“Nope. Glad to do it.” He ended the call.

Jesse slid the phone into his pocket and went to the kitchen. “Sawyer is on his way.”

“Great. I’m glad he could help.” Simone slid a cookie sheet into the oven with round slices of dough scattered across the surface.

“What’s this?”

“Chocolate chip cookies for the hard-working men in the house.” She showed the various snacks on the tabletop. “Cookies, coffee, and a variety of snacks on the table should keep you guys fueled and ready for trouble throughout the night.”

Jesse chuckled. “Although you didn’t have to go to all this trouble, we appreciate it anyway. We never turn down cookies.”

“I have enough for both of you.”

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