Page 20 of Back the Blue

Thirteen

The color drains from her face as the vest drops to the floor. In the next second, I step forward and scoop her into my arms. Then it happens. She grips my shirt and turns into me while she starts to ramble hysterically. And while I can’t say that I blame her, I need her to calm down so I can move her.

Again.

Because apparently Diamond has already determined who I am and the fact that Lorna is under my protection. And while my home address is protected by the Bureau, I can’t be sure that the leak hasn’t already passed it on. Which means we could already be exposed.

Again.

“Fuck,” I mutter as I lay her back on the bed.

Once I position my face directly over hers, I grip her face in my hands and wait for her eyes to lock with mine. When they do, she suddenly goes quiet. But her breathing is shallow.

“Lorna?” I ask. “Are you with me?”

She nods before she speaks.

“Yeah,” she says. “Yes. I am. But…but…what does that mean? How are we going to get Malcolm back?”

“They’ll send in a negotiation team first,” I explain. “And if that doesn’t work, we may have a female agent that we can send in as a decoy. Or they’ll breach the location and hope they can get Malcolm out alive.”

Tears prick her eyes. And I once again make a silent vow to protect her.

“He…he didn’t want me out of the ambulance tonight,” she whispers. “He didn’t want me in the line of fire. But I’m his superior and I wouldn’t allow it. If he gets hurts, it will be my fault.”

“None of this is your fault,” I tell her. “And the Bureau will do what it takes to make sure everyone is safe.”

“But-”

I silence her with a hard kiss. She gasps when I pull back, but her expression has changed. It’s hardened a bit, and I suppose that’s what we need right now.

“Can you handle a firearm?” I ask her.

“Yes,” she nods. “My father and grandfather are hunters. I can shoot handguns and long guns.”

Fuck. Me. As if I need another reason to want her.

“Good,” I nod. “Because of the leak, we need to move again. We’re going to be on foot at first before we pick up some public transportation. We’ll have to hide our weapons, but it shouldn’t be difficult given the temperature tonight.”

“Okay,” she whispers. “I’m ready. Whatever it takes.”

“I just need you to listen to me, Lorna,” I explain. “No questions asked. Got it?”

Despite the gravity of our situation, she manages a smirk.

“I’ll do my best,” she whispers.

“You do that,” I tell her darkly. “Or there may be consequences.”

Her body shivers at my words, letting me know that she understands exactly what that means. Not wanting to waste another moment, I rise and pull her back to her feet. She follows me to my closet, and I hand her the vest again. This time, she pulls it over her head and goes about strapping it on. Then I pull out a gun that will fit in it.

“Do you know what this is?” I ask her.

She smiles and nods.

“Sig Sauer three-sixty-five x,” she grins.

“Damn right, sweetheart,” I smile. “I take it you know how to use it.”

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