Page 113 of Nanny for the SEALs

“Actually,” I said, “I think it’s worth considering.”

Brady gawked at me. “You fucken kidding me, Rogan?”

“She makes a great point,” I replied. “Heimdall wants to steal Amirah away from us. They wouldn’t risk hurting her in the process. Heather won’t be in any danger if she poses as Amirah. And we know she can do it. Hell, she fooled us and most of the people in our suite at the Lakers game. Remember?”

“Especially if you put a hat and sunglasses on me,” I said.

“Amirah herself would need to be made aware,” Asher said thoughtfully. “Perhaps even the film studio.”

“I talked to Amirah yesterday,” I replied. “She’s afraid. At this point, she’ll try anything.” I turned to Heather. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

She shrugged. “Anything to help you guys. Especially after I screwed things up at the hotel…”

“You did nothing wrong,” Asher insisted, taking her hand and squeezing it. Brady only pursed his lips.

I could tell she felt guilty about what happened at the hotel. She was offering to help us to make up for it. I should have known it was a bad idea because of that. She wasn’treallyagreeing to this plan in good conscience. She was just desperate in a different way than us.

But I was too eager for a potential solution to our problems to think clearly.

“If you’re willing to do it, then I think it’s a solid plan,” I said.

Brady threw up his hands in frustration. “Am I the only one who thinks this nuts? Asher, back me up, here.”

Our blond partner drummed his fingers on the desk thoughtfully. “All things considered, the plan is sound. And we are running out of time. If the studio replaces Amirah with another actress, and we lose her as a client…”

“Don’t do this,” Brady said, grabbing Heather by the arm. “Please don’t do this.”

“I have to,” she insisted, jerking her arm away. “It’s the only way. Unless you have a better plan.”

Brady shook his head and paced around the room. “This is a bad idea. I’m saying it now, in front of everyone, for the record.”

“What record? There is no record,” I replied.

Heather put a hand on his back. “I’ll be okay. I promise. Especially with you guys there to protect me.”

“That’s what worries me. We haven’t done a good job of protecting anyone, lately.” Brady stormed out of the office.

Asher turned to me. “I have some logistical concerns. We need to find the best place to do something like this. Then coordinate with Amirah and her agent to put the word out, hyping up publicity so that Heimdall takes the bait.”

“Once you get approval from Amirah’s agent, call the film studio,” I said. “They might have some input, based on the film schedule next week.”

“Stay here with me while I make this call?” Asher asked Heather. “They might want to talk to the woman who will be impersonating their client.”

I kissed Heather on the cheek. “Thank you for this.”

“Of course,” she replied with a weak smile. Despite the fact that it was her idea, she looked a little queasy at the idea of being bait. That wasalmostenough to make me reconsider it.

Almost.

There was so much work to do, now. If we were going to do this, I wanted to call in every available security agent we had to help. For Heather’s safety, we would pull out all the stops.

On the way to the front door, I saw Brady sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, quietly playing with racecar toys with the boys. He looked up at me and scowled.

“She shouldn’t be doing this, and you know it.”

Cora perked up from her chair. “I shouldn’t be doing what, daddy?”

Brady pulled her off the chair and into a bear hug. “Not you, sweetie. I’m talking about someone else.”

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