Page 74 of Explosive Vengeance

“Copy. We’ll contact you from the port,” Chloe said, then ended the call and went to change and gather her gear while Heath did the same. When she emerged from the bathroom a few minutes later dressed in tight black cargo pants and a fitted long-sleeve shirt, her hair tucked up beneath her knit cap, he couldn’t help but give her a once-over.

“Ready?” She grabbed her bag and started for the door. As she passed by him, Heath caught her arm and spun her around. Her eyebrows crashed together in an irritated frown. “What?”

He didn’t care if she was annoyed by his timing, he had to say this. He cupped her face in his hands, that little flash of vulnerability in her eyes tugging at him. “Promise me you’ll stick to the plan out there.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t scold me like I’m a misbehaving puppy.”

That’s not what this was. Not even close. He leaned in closer. “Chloe.” Her expression smoothed out, replaced by one of curiosity as he stared into her eyes. “I need to hear you say you won’t put yourself at unnecessary risk, no matter what happens tonight. Or the team.”

Her jaw tightened. “You’re not my keeper, Barrett.”

“No, but I’m going to be your guardian angel, watching over you to make sure nothing goes wrong.”

“That’s romantic, but unnecessary.”

“It’s completely necessary.” One, because she wanted Dubois enough to act impulsively, and two, because if anything happened to her, he couldn’t take it.

Her lips curved in a knowing smile. “Not falling for me and my charms already, are you?” she murmured.

“And if I was?”

All traces of humor vanished as she stared up at him with those big brown eyes. “Then I’d feel compelled to warn you against it.”

Not dissuaded in the least, he stroked his thumbs over her cheekbones. “Why’s that?”

“Because life expectancy for people like me isn’t that great.”

Everything protective in him flared to sudden, sharp life. “It is when you have a guardian angel to watch over you.”

She wrapped her fingers around his wrists and lowered her gaze. “You’re getting me all tangled up inside when I need to be getting into op mode,” she complained, but there was no sting in her voice.

“Promise me. I need to hear you say the words.”

Her gaze lifted to his. “Fine. I promise not to do anything stupid.”

“Thank you.”

Her expression softened. With a half-smile she wrapped her arms around his neck for a slow, soft kiss, then pulled back just as his body started to thrum. “Hold that thought until later. We’ve got work to do.”

They took their own vehicle to the port at Le Havre, Ty and Megan going a different route. The entire harbor was a mass of activity, with container, tanker and cruise ships coming and going, along with other commercial vessels. They used the special IDs Amber had made them to enter. There was no sign of Dubois, and Heath was relieved. Extracting a promise from Chloe was one thing. Trusting her to stick to it when the man she wanted dead was right in front of her was another, and Heath intended to be ready for anything, just in case.

Everyone arrived on time and took up their positions around the dock, then checked in on comms. “Head’s up.Le Dauphin’sbeing pushed into the dock now,” Amber announced.

“What? It’s over three hours early,” Chloe said with a worried frown, peering through her binos through the window overlooking the water. Then she gasped and blurted, “Watch that bus.”

Heath kept his eyes on the luxury tour coach pulling up close toLe Dauphin. This far away from all the cruise ships, there was no reason for a tour bus to park there.Shit. “They’re going to offload the women onto it.”

“Not happening,” Chloe snapped, setting down her binos and reaching for her weapon. “We can’t wait for the cops to show. We’ve gotta handle this ourselves.” Unfortunately, right out in the open for anyone to see.

Heath was right behind her as they rushed to the door. “How many crew members do you see?” he asked the team.

“Five,” Amber answered. “Three on the bridge and two on deck. Not sure how many below.”

Christ. The last thing they needed was to engage in a firefight in broad daylight in such a busy place, but the alternative was following the bus and hoping they could intercept it in a quieter location.

“I’m alerting our police contact,” Trinity said. “But Chloe’s right—we’re on our own for now.”

Chloe immediately took charge. “Heath, you’re with me. Meg and Ty, back us up from the north side. Jesse, you back us up from the south. We’ll come in from the west and make sure that bus can’t move. Go.”

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