Page 64 of Merciless Protector

Kelsey answered for me. “Actually, no.” She laid out the plan and reiterated all the reasons I couldn’t get on a commercial flight. Bailey packed up lunch and sent half with me and Kelsey.

Griffin’s company was moving equipment for this job with this starlet and another job he had. Because of a threat and potential violence from a stalker, he needed an armored car, among other things, to get there quickly.

There were several other large crates on the plane that I didn’t ask about as we boarded unconventionally from the back of the plane.

I wondered if Shawn would be pissed when he heard I was headed back to Chicago.

28

MATT

Griff came through again. Lucky for me, Kalen was heading for Chicago on business and I was going to hitch a ride with him since the other King brothers weren’t available to fly me.

I was first to arrive on board the Kings’ private company plane. The interior was as comfortable as a luxury hotel, with soft leather seats and finished with maple paneling.

As I settled into my seat, I couldn’t help but feel bad I’d left Tayla. I wanted to stay with her after she asked me to. But I couldn’t.

I called my handler.

“You finally decided to check in,” she said.

“Cortez made contact. He wants me to take over the business for him while he’s inside. My first task is to find his wife.”

“Did he give you a time line?”

“Forty-eight hours and that time is up,” I said.

“Then why are you calling?”

“I need my old place.”

“I told you we moved you out.”

She may have said that, but the government was slow moving. Plus, it was a good asset to keep, as they could use it as a safe house if need be.

“That doesn’t mean it’s not available.”

“Convince me why you should move back in.”

“Temporarily. It fits my cover. I know the place. A hotel could put me and guests at risk.”

“And an apartment wouldn’t do the same?”

“Maybe, but again, I know the place.”

“Not much to know,” she said.

“Maybe not. But there is the escape through the vents if things go south.”

She waited a moment before giving in. “Fine. Don’t get yourself or anyone else killed.”

We ended the call as Kalen walked in dressed in a tailored suit, as if he was ready to buy a planet, and took the seat across from mine.

“You made it,” he said, giving me a friendly nudge. “I wasn’t sure, given it was an early flight.”

“Thanks,” I said. Kalen and I hadn’t been on the best of terms, though we managed to get along. “I should probably apologize.”

He had his laptop out and was focused on the screen. “What for?”

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