Page 64 of The Bodyguard and the Bombshell

Erin Taggart strode into the room wearing an overcoat that absolutely did not fit her. She’d been playing at Sanctum so there was probably some fet wear under the men’s jacket. She’d tugged on a pair of sneakers, too. “Li, where’s my girl?”

“Brody’s got eyes on a van across the street. They took her in there,” Liam explained.

Erin simply nodded. “We need to get her out of the van. It’s too close quarters to start a fight there. Have they contacted you?”

“They’re trying to call right now,” Daisy said, holding up her phone.

“Damn it.” Erin’s jaw tightened. “We need a couple of minutes to put people in place. Theo’s having to move around the long way so they don’t see him. Ian’s with him. Brody, contact Big Tag and let him know they need to be behind the van.”

“On it,” his father said over the cell.

Nate could see the battlefield in his mind. One of the first things he’d done when he and Daisy had moved in was study the area around them. When her uncles came to visit, he would take a jog. Those long sessions were more about becoming acquainted with the area than actual exercise.

He was getting plenty of workouts because his Daisy was insatiable.

“So Theo and Big Tag come in from behind.” He could see them moving into position. “We need the targets in the courtyard.”

Erin nodded. “Boomer told me the courtyard would be perfect. He has an unobstructed view from the west side of Sanctum if they’re in the courtyard.”

“Li, I think you and Erin should ease out the front and stay in the shadows around the parking lot,” his father explained. “Nate and I can use the west side exit to come around on either side of the building, and then they would be in a nice trap. Even if Boomer can’t take them, they would be facing six of us, and there won’t be any place to run.”

His gut tightened. “How would we get them into place?”

He knew what was coming.

Daisy’s eyes lit up. “Me. I’m bait.” She actually smiled. “I think I can be good at this.”

Her cell trilled again.

“You’re going to have to answer them, sweetie,” Erin said, her voice tight. “If you can hold them off even for a few minutes, it will be so helpful.”

“So answer them but don’t answer them.” Daisy nodded and then slid her finger across the screen to answer the call. “Hello? Excuse me, who is this?” She giggled. “Sure, Hunter. Try again. Like you don’t try to scare me all the time. I’m not some ditz who falls for it.” She hung up. “That should buy us a minute or two. And I promise I can word salad them for a long time.”

“Excellent, then maybe you won’t have to be bait,” Nate pointed out.

“Daisy, I know I shouldn’t ask this of you, but they’re going to have guns on Devi,” Erin began.

Liam puffed up a little. “Now, Erin…”

“We can handle it without risking Daisy,” Nate assured them.

“But this is all about me,” Daisy argued.

“I’m worried about how close they’ll keep Devi to them. If Boomer can’t get a shot or if we end up in a standoff…” Erin began.

“Devi could get killed.” Daisy shook her head. “I’m not letting anything happen to Devi.”

“You’re not allowing anything at all, girl,” her father announced.

“Da, I can handle it,” Daisy replied stubbornly as her phone went off again. “You’re wasting time. Get into position.”

Erin was already moving. “We need a distraction, Daisy. Something that will make those men drop their guard for a second or two.”

A silent look was exchanged between the two women, some communication Nate didn’t get, but Daisy nodded her aunt’s way.

“I know exactly what to do, Aunt Erin,” she said resolutely. “I won’t let you down.”

“Daisy, stay bloody well safe, girl.” Liam moved out behind Erin.

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