Page 17 of Silk and Steel

I chew it over in all seriousness. In every scenario, I come to the same conclusion.

“No,” I say at length. “I wouldn’t.”

Emory relaxes, and we start walking across the lot toward the parked truck.

“I’m not going to let my insane ex-boyfriend crush my dreams,” Emory says firmly. “I’m going to see this job through to the end.”

I thought the same thing myself, except my job involves keeping her safe and in one piece. That could be damn hard ifshe has a steady schedule, a pattern others could take advantage of.

The more I think about it, the more I realize this is an impossible situation. Lovejoy and his minions will know where Emory is likely to be, and at what time to boot. How can I possibly keep her safe under these circumstances?

One thing’s for certain: Right now, we’re in the only safe place for her, because it’s the only place we know for sure Lovejoy and his boys aren’t.

I open the door for her and take my phone in hand.

“Hang tight for a minute,” I say. “I'm going to make a quick call.”

Emory nods, her eyes still swimming with fear, but also with stubborn will. Walking away from the truck, I dial Jax.

“What’s going on, Cole?” he says by way of greeting.

I take pains to keep my back toward Emory when I speak, in case she can read lips.

“Boss man, I don’t know if I can pull a rabbit out of this particular hat.”

He sighs. “Why not? Are you saying you're not up to the task of keeping one woman safe?”

My heart rate increases, but I keep my tone level when I respond.

“That’s not it at all. I can keep her safe, but she wants to keep working. Julian Lovejoy will be able to predict where she will be, and when. It’s tantamount to suicide.”

“Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic, Cole?”

“If anything, I’m understating the danger.”

Jax laughs, making my scowl deepen.

“Look, Cole, Platinum Security is a business. And we have to answer to our clients. If she wants to keep working, then protect her at work.”

“What about on the way to work? What if Lovejoy posts up on a billboard and snipes her out when we make the morning commute?”

“Lovejoy isn’t skilled with that class of weapon, and it’s not his style. His psychological profile suggests that he still wants to win Emory back.”

“Impossible,” I say with a bit too much vehemence.

“Maybe, but that doesn’t matter to Lovejoy. My point is, he’s obsessed with her. He’s not going to kill her, or even hurt her, until he has a chance to make one final play for her heart.”

I rub the bridge of my nose. “Yes, but he’s likely to abduct her to facilitate this little exchange.” Peeking over my shoulder, I see Emory’s silhouette in the passenger side of the truck.

I can’t stand the idea of her being at that creep’s mercy.

“Besides, if Lovejoy is obsessed with Emory like you say, Jax, then his only way out might be to purge the obsession.”

Jax snorts. “Since when did you study criminology, Dr. Lechter?”

“I saw it in a movie. It’s not safe, Jax.”

“No, it’s not, but that’s why you’re here. You have a job to do, Cole. Do it in the parameters the client establishes, or I’ll assign someone else. Clear?”

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