Page 23 of Logan

Her smile widened as she took his words to heart. Slapping her hands on her legs, she said, “Okay then. Tell me what’s next.”

13

An hour later, Vivian stretched her arms over her head, working out the kinks in her neck and back. Her shirt rode up slightly, and Logan averted his eyes, trying not to look at the sliver of skin now exposed. They had reviewed the pictures of the major occupants of the suspect’s house and formulated a basic plan of action.

Viv would monitor the neighbors and catalog their movements, including cars, license plates, and descriptions. He’d explained that while his people could monitor some intel from satellite images, there was still value to boots-on-the-ground reconnaissance.

Logan explained his part-time job at the small airfield as a mechanic, just enough hours to provide cover until the covert part of his mission kicked in, which was something he did not divulge, assuring her that it was best for her not to know. He would berunningoften at night and had intel to gather. “I brought some cameras for the outside but will put them up tonight when it’s dark. Once they’re up, you can watch the cameras and won’t be stuck right at the window to keep up with their comings and goings.”

He also let her know that as soon as he could get inside, he would smuggle samples for her to test. But before that, she needed to look at the shed to let him know if she deemed anything else essential to complete her work.

With a plan in place, she glanced down and groaned. “I’m still in my flannel pajamas.” Grinning, she added, “Dibs on the shower!”

Watching her jog down the hall, he was unable to keep the smile from tugging at his lips. Once the bathroom door was closed, he sat and leaned back in his chair, his mind in motion as he reviewed their plans. Closing his eyes for a moment, he wondered if this mission had any chance of succeeding. When he heard the water in the shower turn on, his mind slid down another path—one where he imagined her body, wet and naked.

Jerking his eyes open, he stood quickly, forcing those thoughts away.Fuckin’ hell…she’s a scientist… coworker… fake wife… not some girl for me to pant over.Grimacing, he thought of her innocence in this situation and wondered why Donald set her up on this mission based on her heritage and not her experience. The mere thought that she could be in danger caused him to pace the room before heading into the kitchen, where he gripped the counter, his knuckles turning white.Not on my watch, he vowed, knowing part of his mission was keeping her safe.

While the water still ran, he called back to the compound. “Sadie, what have you got for me?” Last night during his run, he’d called to ask the night duty Keeper what they found out about Vivian Sanders. When they had nothing to report, he asked them to check again.

“Boss, there isn’t much. She’s twenty-nine years old. She has no record, not even a speeding ticket. Everything she told you is true. I talked to her supervisor, and Donald chose her becausehe felt like she had what she needed to work with you on this assignment.”

Landon was also on the line. “Is there a problem? It’s not too late to change the plans.”

“I can fly up,” Sadie offered. “We can have Ms. Sanders stay in a hotel until you get the samples, and I can work the case with you in the house next to the terrorist group.”

Logan considered the offer for a few seconds, then sighed as he dismissed it. Since she parked in the cul-de-sac, he felt sure the neighbors had already seen Vivian going in and out of the house. “No, that’s fine. I don’t want to take a chance that the neighbors see too many people come and go. But it’ll be nice to know I’m not alone in this and have you all as backup.”

“Whatever you need, let us know,” Landon said.

He disconnected and bent down to grab the tools he’d found under the sink, planning to replace the locks on the doors. As he performed the mundane task, he thought of what he’d said to Vivian earlier about working with his SEAL team. Then after a few years of being alone, he had to develop the skills of a leader again and utilize his new team. He’d been so quick to throw in the towel with this mission at the first sign of a problem, and that wasn’t like him.

But theproblemhad deep brown eyes, so dark it was hard to distinguish the pupil from the iris. Dark chocolate. His mom used to make a rich, dark chocolate cake for his birthday because that was his favorite when he was a kid. He slowly shook his head…I haven’t thought of that memory in years.But all it took was Vivian’s eyes to remind him of something he’d loved—decadent dark chocolate.

Finishing the locks, he placed the tools back where he’d found them and stood at the counter once again. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he sighed heavily. The last thing he needed todo was think of Viv’s eyes.This mission may not be fucked, but I sure am.

While inside the bathroom, Vivian lathered her body and quickly washed her hair, unsure how long the hot water would last. Closing her eyes as the water sluiced over her, the image of her fake husband filtered through her mind. Tall, dark, and handsome. A strangled snort erupted as she realized how conventional her description sounded.How about towering, somber, and athletic? Soaring, shadowy, and muscular?Another snort slipped out.He’s more like glowering, angry, and irritable.

Shaking her head, she knew there were infinite ways to describe him, each one accurate. Rinsing her hair, she turned the water off, knowing she also had to turn off her physical attraction to Logan. It was time to do her job and do it well. Determined to accomplish that feat, she dressed for the day, hoping the new alliance she and Logan had begun would make their working relationship easier.

That afternoon, Logan drove to the small airfield to work for a few hours and check on his helicopter while Vivian sat by the window waiting to see the neighbors. Reading on her e-reader, she lifted her head to see a woman coming out of the house next door. Hurrying to her car, she intended to take out a bag she had left in her trunk for the express purpose of having an excuse to go outside. From a distance, it was hard to see if the woman was Farrah, but she was desperate to make contact as soon as possible.

“Hello!” she shouted over at the woman.

The woman looked over quickly, her gaze jumping from Vivian to her house, then back to Vivian again. Finally, a shy smile crossed her face, and she nodded slightly.

Vivian began walking toward her, smiling widely in return. Recognizing Farrah, Vivian noted the black skirt, white blouse, and the hijab worn by the young woman. A beautiful leather belt cinched Farrah’s waist, but the stylish leather boots on her feet were most surprising.

Feeling frumpy in her jeans and heavy sweatshirt, Vivian thrust out her hand. “I guess we’re neighbors. I’m Vivian. My husband and I just moved in.”

“And I am Farrah,” the woman said, shaking her hand delicately. “I also live here with my husband.”

“The houses seem nice here although kind of old.” She shrugged while still smiling. “But we just got married, and the rent fits our budget.”

Nodding, Farrah agreed. “We have not been here long, but I have tried to make it our home.”

“We should get together sometime,” Vivian blurted, her heart pounding as she wondered what Logan would think of that plan. They hadn’t worked out all the details of what she was supposed to do when she met the neighbors, and she realized, belatedly, that she had no clue what she was doing.

Farrah’s eyes widened at the suggestion. Thinking she was going to deny her outright, Vivian pressed, “We’ve got a grill out back that I’d like to try sometime. Um…you and your husband could join us.”

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