Page 26 of Undercover Savior

“While I appreciate it, I suppose the more important thing is that Eric Weber’s associates are unable to find me.” I thought about the hidden security here and that, even though I found it odd, it was reassuring.

While I hated to bring it up, I had to. “You said my mobile had to be destroyed to prevent tracking. Wouldn’t the same be true for my laptop?”

“You’re all set,” said Con, looking up from his computer before David could respond. “What’s this about Eric Weber and your laptop?”

“I assure you, the security systems at Glenshadow are state of the art,” Tag interjected, then added, “Sullivan asked why her laptop hasn’t been destroyed.”

“It wasn’t necessary to do so,” said Con.

While I wanted to know why not, at this point, the conversation was disjunct enough I doubted anyone was even paying attention to me. Plus, I was more concerned about my eminent relocation. My gaze had alternated between David’s twocolleagues and him, but I couldn’t read his expression. When his eyes met mine, then quickly looked away, I was crestfallen.

Good riddance, I supposed. After being here with him for less than twenty-four hours, it was silly to think I’d miss the man. Or he, me.

As much as I knew I should quit gawking, I couldn’t. All three men were among the most handsome I’d ever seen.

Tag and Con looked as though they could be related. Both had dark hair and similar facial structures. Tag was clean-shaven, and Con had a scruffy beard, similar to David’s, which was longer and ash-blond like his hair. It was unusual that each had different colored eyes. Con’s were blue, Tag’s brown, and David’s green. Like so many things about him, they were familiar.

“So it’s your estate that borders this one?” I asked Tag.

“Yes,” he responded, glancing at David.

Something was at play here that I couldn’t figure out. “How long have you known one another?”

“All our?—”

“Careers,” David interrupted Con.

The three also had similar speech patterns and accents. It was the former I found most curious, although if David grew up on the estate, I supposed he could’ve picked up the more affluent affectation.

“You should check in,” David reminded me.

“Of course. Right. I’ll do that now.” I stood and went into the bedroom, stunned when he followed. I turned around and watched as he took in the mess left when I’d unpacked the box containing the contents of my car. “Sorry, I’ll, uh, obviously, get this cleaned up, err, packed up.” It occurred to me, then, I had nothing to put it all in. “I should’ve hung on to the box,” I muttered.

“I’ll have luggage sent round.”

I’d tell him it wasn’t necessary, but I had no other options.

He cleared his throat and pointed to my computer.

“Yes, right.” I sat on the end of the bed and pulled up the Crown Herald’s log-in screen. Unlike earlier, the connection was immediate, and I was successful in accessing the check-in protocol. “Done,” I said, looking up at him. His gaze still swept the room. “Sorry, it’s just that I emptied the box and…”

Why was I explaining myself? As soon as the luggage arrived, I’d clean everything up and be on my way. Perhaps I’d even ask if I could stay at Tag’s place—Glenshadow, I thought he called it—for the duration of my “protective custody,” so I wasn’t underfoot here.

There was a knock at the door, and I bristled instinctively.

“That will be the bags,” he said, turning to retreat down the hallway.

As much as I wanted to see what else I could access now that I had an online connection, it would be best if I packed my stuff quickly so I could leave. I moved my pile of things to one side of the bed so there’d be room to put the suitcase when David returned with it.

“Um, the clothes, should I?—”

“Take them with you.”

“Of course,” I said under my breath, wishing such an innocuous answer didn’t hurt as much as it did.

“We’ll leave when you’re ready.”

“If you have other things to take care of, I’m sure Tag can?—”

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