Page 27 of A Colby Christmas Rescue

That he was rich went without saying. “But he isn’t powerful enough to get the one thing he wants more than anything else.”

Abi’s gaze collided with hers. “There are some things even money cannot buy.”

Which told her that Abi’s employer had already approached this doctor and been turned away.

“For all those other things,” Jamie suggested, “there are people like you.”

Abi smiled. “If not me, someone else would do it. At least if I do it, I do it well.”

No question. The upside was that what she knew of Abi was as close to good as a mostly bad guy could be.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

She sort of hoped he did not. “And what’s that?”

“You’re thinking ‘What is a bad guy like me doing trying to help someone do a good thing—like kidnap a doctor to save a life?’”

“The thought occurred to me, yes.” It wasn’t the usual job Abi was known for.

“You’re wondering,” he went on, “if I might be growing soft in my old age.”

She laughed. She couldn’t help herself. Abi was only thirty. “Didn’t cross my mind.”

“When I was approached about this mission,” he explained, “I could not say no. By this time tomorrow you will understand my reasons.”

“I’m sure you’re aware that no one involved is going to walk away from this legally speaking.” It wasn’t a threat, merely a statement of fact.

“I have a plan for that as well.”

He sounded so certain of himself. “I just hope your plan is as good as you seem to believe it is.”

He traced a fingertip down her cheek before dropping his hand. “I have never failed. Never. You are aware of this.”

She resisted the need to shiver at his touch. “Just because you’ve never failed doesn’t mean you won’t.”

That was the part that worried her the most. There was always a first time for failure. And the first time was always the worst.

Chapter Six

10:50 p.m.

Kenny stared out the window at the house below their position. He was more than a little worried about this operation. Not for himself, but for Jamie. And Luke. He didn’t trust this guy Abidan Amar. At all.

He was aware of Amar before today. He’d heard Jamie talk about him, but only a couple of times. Now that he’d seen the two of them together, he understood why. They’d shared something when they did that operation together. No question about it. As ridiculous as it sounded, he was working hard not to look and sound as jealous as he felt, but it wasn’t easy. If he was completely honest with himself, he would own the fact that he had very deep feelings for Jamie. But first and foremost, they were friends. Best friends. He didn’t want to risk damaging that relationship. Not just because they worked together fairly often, but also because she meant a great deal to him. If necessary, he would gladly be just friends forever.

He thought of that one kiss they had shared. A smile tugged at his lips. It had actually been a part of the mission they were working together at the time. But he’d felt the connection as real as breathing. Good God, how he’d felt the connection. He’d been really careful since then. If a move happened between them, it would be because she initiated the action.

Jamie was the real deal, with an amazing family that he respected so much. She’d invited him to family celebrations on a number of occasions and it was during their shared downtime that he really felt the pull. Whatever happened, he was giving her plenty of space and plenty of time to make a move.

The sound of footfalls on the stairs told him she was coming up to the second floor. He moved soundlessly to the door and leaned against it. She hesitated outside his door and his heart bumped hard in his chest. Three seconds, then five elapsed before she went on into her room and closed the door. She’d wanted to say something or...

Give it a rest, Kenny.

Whatever she’d pondered during that brief pause, her sense of professionalism had prevented her from saying or doing whatever had crossed her mind.

For the best. For sure. This wasn’t the time to get personal. Too much was unknown, and Luke’s life hung in that precarious space of uncertainty.

Whatever this thing was that Abi was up to, Kenny would do everything in his power to protect Jamie and Luke. He almost laughed at the idea of Jamie needing him for protection. Backup, maybe. But she could certainly take care of herself and any jerk who would suggest otherwise did not know her at all.

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