Page 113 of The Bodyguard

“There’s definitely a mental health issue in play,” Parker added. “John Patterson will be able to sort through that.”

“Will he be there?”

“I’m pretty sure he’s already on the scene and will accompany her wherever they go.”

Sawyer held his breath.

“John Patterson isn’t on my list of favorite people,” Angela admitted.

“Well, there’s not much we can do to divert him from this project.”

“I don’t trust him,” she added.

Sawyer agreed. “Yeah, I don’t either.”

“Is Titan assisting with her capture?” Roman asked.

“Nope.”

“So all we have, intel-wise, is what they pass along?” Roman clarified.

“Yup,” Parker said.

“That sounds promising,” Roman added then looked at Angela in his rearview mirror. “Do you still want to do this?”

Angela reached for Sawyer and squeezed his hand as Cash glanced at the back seat. His gaze dropped to the handhold, and he averted his eyes. Sawyer’s face didn’t register either Cash orAngela. She was in a vulnerable state. He wouldn’t violate their agreement’s confidentiality, but he wouldn’t leave her hanging when she reached out. He squeezed her back.

“Yes, no question.” She gave another squeeze and pulled her hand back.

“All right, then,” Parker repeated. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

The call disconnected. Roman maneuvered onto Interstate 95 North. The back seat seemed smaller than it had a minute ago. Sawyer repositioned the seat belt digging into his shoulder.

“There was a gorgeous pair of earrings in my hotel room safe,” Angela said. “They probably need to be returned to a local jewelry store.”

Cash nodded, facing straight ahead. “Parker made sure we had a clean-up team get into your rooms after local PD processed it as a crime scene.”

Both Angela and Cash sounded overly formal to Sawyer. He changed positions again. The back seat didn’t have enough legroom. “How much longer?”

Roman snorted. “We’ve been driving for five minutes.”

Cash and Roman were younger than Sawyer. They reminded him of Camden, the youngest guy on the Abu Dhabi team. Camden was cocky but had mellowed over the last few years. Sawyer wasn’t sure the US-based team was very mellow. They rarely interacted. Sawyer wasn’t sure how much Cash and Roman knew about the Abu Dhabi team. Probably as much as Sawyer knew about other teams based outside of the US. Jared Westin had one hell of an international network.

Angela closed her eyes and rested her head in the crook of her arm against the window. Would last night be the last time she and Sawyer fell asleep together? His chest ached. That couldn’t be the case. He wouldn’t let it. Once they’d found Mylene and negotiations over Pham had ceased and the fuckerwas safely in prison for the rest of his life, Sawyer and Angela could redefine their new normal. What would that look like?

Roman’s phone rang again through the car’s speakers. He answered, “What do we know, Parker?”

“It’s her.”

Angela jerked upright in her seat. “Are they certain?”

“Completely certain.”

“Oh my God,” Angela whispered.

“And,” Parker added, “she’s demanding to speak to you.”

“Oh my God,” she repeated.

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