Page 58 of Being Bold
Playing bait meant there was a real possibility she might die. Being reminded of that made his blood run cold.
“Yeah.” He dropped his arm and stood up. “I’ve got to—” He waved toward the Jack-and-Jill bathroom that connected his and Herc’s rooms.
“Bo, I . . .”
He ducked inside without giving her a chance to respond, then he turned the water on and leaned against the sink with his palms gripping the edge of the counter. He wanted to break something, but it wouldn’t take away this sickening fear. Bile burned in his gut, knowing he could lose her.
Putting his hands in the flow of water, he cupped it and splashed some on his face. Dripping onto the counter, he opened his eyes searching for a towel, only to get stuck on his reflection in the mirror over the sink. He might’ve slept well, but his expression held no refreshment. No, the look he sported was that of a haunted man.
Shaking his head, he snatched up a towel and buried his face in it. He wanted to yell for all the good it would do him. Clamping down on the rage, he grabbed his toothbrush and made himself ready. It’d already been five minutes, and he didn’t need Duke coming back.
With minty breath, a fresh layer of deodorant, and a clean shirt, he wandered into the kitchen, searching for coffee. The whole damned team was there.
Duke, being Duke, had to poke the bear. “Nice of you to join us,” he offered with his signature smirk. Bo was sorely tempted to knock it off his face.
“Shut it, unless you’d like to lose a few of those pearly whites?”
Of course, Mr. Trust Fund only chuckled.
“Where’s the coffee?” The wall to his right had a row of upper and lower cabinets, broken in the center by a deep copper sink. The dark cabinets and white counter continued in an “L” onthe far wall where the refrigerator stood. A mounted oven and microwave took up the area on his immediate left.
Where the hell was the coffee machine?
The kitchen wasn’t tiny, but with five big men in it, the damned thing felt claustrophobic. Bo’s skin stretched too tight. He needed caffeine and space.
“Here, man.” Herc shoved a mug in his hand, and he took it gratefully.
Retreating to the opposite side of the island so he had the open living room at his back, he asked, “What did I miss?”
Victor leaned back against the sink and crossed his arms. His expression said Bo owed him an explanation, but he wouldn’t reprimand him in front of everyone. The guy was a seriously solid leader, which is why a stab of guilt made Bo nod, acknowledging what Victor hadn’t said. “She’s going back into Saber Tech. We’ll have eyes and ears on her, and the CIA friend will be onsite protection.”
The coffee he’d sipped turned into lead sludge in his gut. He got that this was just the first step of the plan, but his entire being screamed at him not to leave her so exposed. Still, he grunted his understanding. “We wait for Dao to make contact.”
Romeo lifted his head from his laptop. “Once he does, she’ll set up an in-person meet.”
Herc stopped shoveling a muffin into his mouth to butt in. “She’ll offer to swap thereal”—he made air quotes like Bo wasn’t very aware Yumi destroyed the real one—“microchip. When Dao shows up to retrieve it, we take him out.”
Victor’s stare assessed Bo. “You think she’s up for that, frogman?”
Selene? Yes. Him? Fuck no.
He rubbed a hand over his mouth and beard. “Yeah. She can handle it.”
But how the hell will I?
???
Selene
Selene never expected to step foot inside Saber Tech’s building again. She waved to Henry and felt sweat break out on her forehead. He gave her a strange look when she nearly fumbled her badge.
“You okay, Ms. Selene?”
God, his genuine concern drowned her in guilt. Him, all these people working for this company, did they know who Mr. Dao really was? What he’d done?
She blinked.Don’t think about that right now!
When she was about to lose it and blow the whole thing, Bo’s voice reassured her. “We can see and hear you, Selene. As soon as Dao makes contact, we’re pulling you out.”
