Page 30 of Shadow Undercover

Might as well give in gracefully. Trace was looking out for their best interests and this was something Bridget should have thought about doing sooner. Ruth’s popularity was growing by the month and with the higher profile ads, she would be more of a target for the media and stalkers.

The more she thought about it, the more Bridget realized that she needed to take care of this now. She wanted Ruth safe when she came home. “Thanks for arranging the details for me.”

The subtle tension in his body eased with her words as though her agreement mattered to him. She squeezed his hand. Trace Young was a good man.

Trace turned his attention back to his teammate. “What’s the plan?”

“Brent’s speaking to Sorenson now about releasing Bridget. If he agrees, we’ll fly home and find out if Hugo is nosing around their home.”

“Why would he?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” Nico’s gaze shifted to Bridget. “Maybe he’s looking for her.”

Trace’s expression darkened. “The only way he’ll get his hands on her is to go through me.”

“We can use him to lead us to my sister,” Bridget said.

“That would be the easy way,” Trace agreed. “We’d love to find your sister and scoop up Hugo in the next 24 hours. The longer he’s out there, the more chance he has of scoring the weapons he’s after.”

“I need clothes.” Bridget indicated the scrubs Sam had helped her don. “I borrowed these from Dr. Sorenson’s nurse.”

“Right here.” He grabbed the one bag he and Joe brought from her hotel room and set it on the bed beside her.

“Where’s the other bag?”

“Destroyed along with about half of your clothes. If you need different clothes, we’ll get you something to wear before we leave.”

Bridget unzipped the bag and pawed through the contents. “I’ll be fine until we’re home.” She looked at Nico. “Go convince the doctor to let me out of here.”

His lips curved. “Yes, ma’am.” Nico left the room and closed the door behind him.

“Help me up.” She held out her arms to Trace and let him assist her to a sitting position. Bracing her ribs with her hand, Bridget stood. When she wobbled, Trace wrapped his arm around her waist and tucked her against his side.

“Easy,” he murmured. “What do you need?”

“Bathroom so I can change clothes.”

“We don’t know yet if Sorenson will release you.”

“I’m getting on that plane, Trace. If Hugo is hanging around Freeport, Ruth must be in town. I’ll be mad at her for scaring me and embarrassed to involve you and your teammates in a domestic misunderstanding. I want the chance to find out one way or the other.”

A sharp knock sounded on the door before Sorenson walked in with Brent on his heels. “I understand you need to leave Bayside,” he said to Bridget.

“Yes, sir. Thank you for taking good care of me. If you’ll tell Sam what to do, I’m sure she’ll keep me in line.”

His lips curved. “What about your young man? Can’t he keep you out of trouble?”

Her young man? She noticed the doctor’s pointed stare at Trace. Oh, boy. “That’s a tough job for anybody. I’m more inclined to ask forgiveness than permission.”

Sorenson pointed at her. “That kind of behavior is dangerous in these situations. Trace will keep you safe if you listen to him and do what he says.”

“He’s right,” Brent said. “If you act without thinking, you and Trace could be hurt or killed. Think about that before you decide to go off on your own.”

She leaned harder against the man holding her upright, hoping the doctor wouldn’t notice her weakness. “I’ll remember. I need to go, Dr. Sorenson. My sister’s life could be at stake. I have to be there for her when we find her.”

“Then I suppose I need to have a talk with Sam about your follow-up care.” He moved past Brent and left the room.

The Fortress CEO’s attention never shifted from Bridget. “How bad off are you?”

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