Page 42 of Falling Fast

“Thanks.” She had no choice but to take it, made herself swallow some even though she was feeling a little queasy already. Looking over at Jamie, she put on a smile. “Ready to go see some weapons?”

He shrugged and opened his mouth to respond but Baker cut him off.

“Oh, I almost forgot. I have a good friend who was in a car accident last month and has suffered lower back pain ever since. I promised him I’d introduce him, see if James could offer some advice on an exercise and rehab plan he can start, along with the physio he’s already doing.” He smiled at Jamie. “Do you mind?”

“No, not at all,” Jamie answered, his tone calm even though he knew as well as she did it meant he wasn’t going to be able to follow her now. “Where is he?”

“Just over here. Gordon,” he called out. A tall man likely in his sixties looked over, smiled at Baker. “This way,” he said to Jamie, again taking Charlie by the arm and escorting her over. Once introductions were made Baker’s grip tightened slightly on her arm. “Well if you don’t mind, I’ve promised Charlie a private tour.” He turned to leave.

“I’ll come with you if you just give me a minute to talk with Gordon,” Jamie said.

Charlie stood there, mentally holding her breath.

“You can catch up when you’re done,” Baker answered, and pulled her away.

Everything in her wanted to dig in her heels and wrench her arm free of his grasp, but she couldn’t. Not without making a scene, and not without letting him know how afraid she was of being alone with him. Besides, this entire operation depended on her doing her job, and getting lucky by gaining access to that laptop, even if it was remotely.

With no choice, she followed him through the atrium and into the house. Catering staff scurried about the huge kitchen, preparing more food for the crowd.

Baker walked her straight past it and through a large sitting room where guests stood around chatting while a pianist played a baby grand. Each note scraped over her strained nerve endings like jagged fingernails.

Her stomach clamped tighter and tighter as they headed for the staircase ahead of them. What was she supposed to do now?

“Watch your step in those heels,” Baker said, gallantly firming his grip to assist her.

She might have appreciated the gesture if she hadn’t known he was eager to get her alone downstairs so he could put the moves on her.

God. How was she going to handle this? How far was she going to let him go in order to get to the laptop? She’d gone over various scenarios with the team, but the prospect of having to physically fight Baker put her stomach in knots.

Her heart beat an erratic tattoo as they reached the second level and turned to head down the remaining set of stairs. Two security guards were waiting there. They nodded at Baker and let them pass, and the added confirmation that she and Baker wouldn’t be disturbed down here made the growing fear threaten to overwhelm her.

“Just down here,” Baker said, escorting her down a carpeted hallway and past two more security guards.

The last door on the left loomed ahead of her, a dark portal that marked the point of no return. A wave of dizziness hit her. She faltered, mentally shook herself.

Baker slowed and glanced at her with a frown. “You okay?”

“Yes.” I just want to do this and get out of here.

“Come on. It’ll be worth it, I promise.”

His tone wasn’t creepy, but the meaning behind the words chilled her insides.

At the door, he punched in a code to the keypad set into the wood-paneled wall, and her heart sank when a cover slid away to reveal the biometric scanner there. Once Baker closed the door, only he and whoever else was input into the security system would be able to get inside.

He placed his palm against the screen, waited a few seconds while the scanner verified his prints, then a soft beep emitted from the unit and the office door unlocked. Baker pushed it open and smiled at her. “After you.”

Oh, God…

Steeling herself, she hid her anxiety as best she could and walked in, still feeling a little lightheaded. A large, expensive-looking desk graced the center of the large room.

Baker stepped inside and reached for the doorknob, then stopped. “You look worried.”

“I’m uncomfortable.”

He cocked his head, his expression showing surprise that she would admit it. “Why? Are you afraid of being alone with me?”

Yes.Spider would call his bluff right here and now, no games, no pretenses for politeness’ sake. “Not as long as you leave that door open.” She nodded at his hand on the knob.

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