Page 56 of Forged in Steele

She gave in and shifted to face him. “Now what?”

He gave her a long look before his expression tightened. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Holloway puts us under surveillance. Not immediately. He’ll have to get it arranged, but we’ll have to stay at the house tonight in case he has someone watching it.”

Her mouth fell open, but she quickly snapped it closed. She knew she had to play the part of Jared’s wife, but hadn’t let herself think about what that involved. She didn’t want to think about what it meant. Now she knew. If they didn’t find Luna soon, Bristol would have to spend the night as Christine Young, wife to Shawn Young. Not share a bed or anything like that, but still. A house with just the two of them seemed very intimate at the moment.

Something Jared didn’t seem hesitant to embrace at all. That worried her all the more.

Jared started the vehicle and looked over the seat to back out. Maybe once they returned to the command center, Bristol could let go of the upcoming night. She peered out the window, her gaze landing on a very pregnant woman sitting on the curb. She cried, her whole body shaking.

“Hold up.” She grabbed Jared’s arm.

“What’s wrong?” He shoved the car into park.

She pointed at the woman. “You think she might be one of Holloway’s women upset about giving up her child?”

“Could be, I suppose.” Jared frowned.

“I should go talk to her. If she’s connected to Holloway maybe we can get her to turn on him.” Bristol continued to look at the woman with coffee-colored skin and black shoulder-length hair who was clutching her belly as if trying to protect her unborn child. “And even if she’s not connected to Holloway, I can’t leave without trying to help her.”

“Holloway could see you.”

Bristol looked around. “She’s hidden from view by the trees. We can move the car over there, and he won’t see us either.”

“You need to be careful of what you say,” Jared said. “You can’t come out and accuse Holloway of illegal activity without blowing our cover.”

“I’ll approach her as Christine. I think that will work best.”

Jared started the vehicle and moved to a parking space in the shade of the trees. Bristol dug tissues from her purse and bolted from the car.

Nearing the woman, Bristol held out the tissues. “You look like you could use these.”

Her head popped up, fear lighting in her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to scare you.” Bristol held the tissues closer. “I saw you crying from my car.” She jerked a thumb at Jared’s vehicle. “My name’s Christine.”

The lie felt awful. A betrayal to this upset mother-to-be.

Concentrate on helping her even if you have to lie to do it.

“I’m Amelia Gasper.” She spoke clear English, but Bristol couldn’t place her accent.

“Is there anything I can help with?” Bristol gave the woman a closer look, noting she didn’t wear a wedding ring. Perhaps her culture didn’t wear them, or she had swollen fingers from the pregnancy. Or she couldn’t afford one or even was unmarried, which would fit one of Holloway’s victims.

Amelia watched carefully, seeming torn between seeking help and clamming up.

Bristol sat on the curb a few feet from her. “Is everything okay with your baby?”

“Okay? Yes. Baby is good.” She beamed with a sudden bright smile.

“That’s great.” Bristol returned her smile. “When are you due?”

“In a month.”

“That must be exciting.”

Amelia’s eyes widened, and a sob tore from her throat.

Bristol scooted closer. “What is it?”

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