Page 39 of Falling Fast

Finally she glanced over at him, surprise eclipsing the dread in her eyes.

“Everything’s gonna be fine,” he said, drawing on his best acting skills to make himself sound convincing. God, he hated what they were about to do. What she was going to have to face tonight, and that he might not be right there to protect her.

She already knew the plan and the basic layout of the mansion as well as he did, so he didn’t bother repeating it. Get in, mingle with the guests, have Baker introduce Charlie to the Civil War weapons expert.

At some point Baker would take her to his office in the basement, on the pretense of showing her his “collection”. It twisted Jamie’s guts to think of what would happen after that.

If shit went sideways, she was to get out any way she could, alert him via a beacon and exit the house at the prearranged place. He’d already made it clear to her not to wait if he wasn’t there when she showed up. She was to immediately leave the property, slip into the woods bordering the house and make it to the rendezvous point where either he or the backup team would come for her.

He hadn’t told her that chances were he wouldn’t be there. His job was to protect her, give her enough time to get away with the transmitter if necessary. And he was willing to face whatever consequences he would face in order to make that happen, including put his life on the line.

“Just a few more hours and it’ll all be over,” he said with another squeeze.

Unless she didn’t access the laptop.

Or if something happened to her before then.

With effort he mentally shoved the thoughts from his mind and lowered their joined hands to the console. In silence, he rubbed his thumb over hers, trying to provide some warmth and comfort. There was really nothing more he could say to her that would make this any easier.

But there were a hell of a lot of things he wanted to say.

I love you. I hate that you’re doing this, but I’m also so damn proud of you and I’m going to make sure you’re okay. Once this is over I’m going to tell you exactly what you mean to me, do whatever it takes to make you mine.

Knowing he was only a matter of hours away from getting the chance to say just that was the only thing that made this situation bearable.

“I’ve got your back,” he said instead.

She flashed him a grateful, albeit nervous smile. “I know. And I’m glad.”

He’d stay as close to her as possible until Baker took her into the office, and even then he’d wait somewhere nearby. If she needed him, she was to give a signal via one of her earrings, rigged with an electronic pulse that his cufflinks would pick up.

Trouble was, the earrings could only emit a signal over a short distance. If Baker’s office had thick insulation in the walls or there was too much concrete or electrical interference between her and Jamie, he wouldn’t get the signal.

And even if he got it, he was unarmed. She’d still have to fight Baker off until either she could escape, or Jamie could break into the office. Since he was unarmed, Jamie would have to use the element of surprise and take the guards out hand-to-hand.

If it came to that and he had to go after the bastard, Jamie might break Baker’s neck rather than simply incapacitate him for attempting to assault Charlie.

A protective, territorial rage burned in his gut. Realizing he was gripping her hand too tightly, he forced himself to relax and eased his hold. He had to reassure her, boost her confidence, and fast. “I’ll be inside the house with you, and the team’s nearby. You’ve got this, Charlie.”

She nodded, the motion jerky. “Yeah.”

Behind him, Logan flashed the van’s lights and turned left off the road. Jamie didn’t signal back.

They were all on their own now.

Up ahead, the road Baker lived on came into view. Charlie pulled her hand from his, smoothed the skirt of that sinful dress down her thighs and drew herself tall in the seat as she pulled in a slow inhalation.

It was like watching an actor on set, getting into character in preparation to film an intense scene. She was so fucking brave in the face of her fear, his heart clenched.

He didn’t say anything else as he drove down the quiet, forested road, every house they passed worth over ten million easy. Both of them were too lost in their own thoughts to bother with talking now, preparing for the roles they had to play.

Then the sprawling, creamy-colored Italianate mansion appeared up ahead on the right.

Jamie turned up the driveway and stopped at the gate. After letting the guard check their IDs, he drove up to the house, the wheels bumping slightly over cobblestone driveway that ended in a circle, a fountain bubbling in the center of it. A row of luxury cars was parked out front of the long garage.

Some of Baker’s rich friends and business associates were already here, some law abiding, and others not. He’d been tasked with trying to identify any key players who might be here.

Jamie parked at the base of the front steps, barely kept from looking at Charlie again. He stepped out and allowed the valet to get in as another helped Charlie out of the car, her tiny clutch purse in hand. She had her game face firmly in place as she smiled at the man, no hint of nervousness in her expression or posture now.

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