Page 38 of Out of the Shadows

“Holy shit,” Owen said, beginning her start sequence. “Do I even want to ask about his ‘RPG or missile’ comment?”

“The car following us fired at us, and Frazier was being paranoid. I was in the process of taking over the lights, and he wanted me to duck for cover.” Bean shook her head.

He stared at her, his mouth agape. “Theyfiredat us.”

“Were you in a Hudson Security vehicle?” Owen asked.

“Yeah, one of the armored Rovers,” Bean replied, her tone very much can-you-believe-this-guy?

Owen chuckled as they took off. “Yeah, don’t start getting all paranoid on us, Frazier.”

He shook his head but kept silent. He knew he couldn’t win an argument when these two teamed up.

Moments later, the helo’s nose dipped, and Bean grabbed his forearm and squeezed it in a death grip. Even in the limited light, he could see that she’d paled. He glanced at theflight display system. They were going much faster than on their inbound flight.

“Hang in there, honey,” he said, covering her hand with his. “Owen will have us back on land in no time.”

She pressed a hand to her stomach. “That’s kind of what I’m afraid of.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Thanks again for the lift, Owen,” Bean said as she walked with the other woman and Gavin toward the hangar where his SUV was parked.

“One of these days you’ll agree to let me take you up and do a scenic tour. You’ll be over your fear of helicopters in no time.”

“What’s with everyone trying to get me out of my comfort zone? First Wilson and this guy with the great outdoors, and now you.” She groaned, setting her hands on her hips. “For the record, it isn’t the helicopter I have an issue with.”

Owen shot her a smirk. “Oh, no?”

“No. It’s the height from the chopper to the ground that I have a problem with. And the stupid fast speeds you go.”

“How about a hot-air balloon?” Gavin asked with a sly grin. “Those go pretty slow.”

“Boring,” Owen said in a singsong voice.

As far as Bean was concerned, a hot-air balloon was hell on earth personified. The two jokers in front of her knewwhat her feelings on those death traps were. Hell, everyone at Hudson Security knew it.

She took a moment to give each of them her best glare. “I hate you both.”

Gavin smothered his laugh with a cough, while Owen cackled. “You love us!”

“On that note,” Gavin said, taking Bean by the elbow, “we’re out, Owen. Thanks again.”

Walking backward toward her small office, Owen waved at them. “Have a good night, you two.”

The drive to Bean’s place was short and passed in comfortable silence. She was mentally rehashing the events of the last hour, and she assumed Gavin was doing the same. When he pulled up to the front of her house, it was nearing ten o’clock. She didn’t question him as he cut the engine and followed her to her front door.

They had work to do.

Dropping her keys, briefcase, and clutch onto the entryway table, she slipped off her heels.

“Let me change real quick, and we can get to work figuring out what the hell is going on.” She made her way toward her bedroom but turned back. Her mind went blank.

Gavin had taken off his tux jacket and draped it over the back of one of her dining room chairs. His bow tie was undone, and he was in the process of rolling up the sleeves of his still-crisp white shirt.

Well, hello, arm porn.

Dragging her gaze from his arms up his chest to his face, her cheeks heated when she met his mischievous gaze.

---