Page 31 of Nicole's Shelter

“So you agree that this is risky.” It was dumb, but she felt validated, taking his continued silence as some sort of affirmation. “Maybe I should just wait in the car. Or grab a coffee while you do your thing.”

“That might get uncomfortable. If you wait in the car, it will be locked in the trunk.”

She chuckled, certain he was kidding. “That’s actually not a big threat. They install those safety release thingies now.”

“They can be removed.”

What? She studied him. The clenched jaw, white knuckles. He was serious. Which could only mean she was testing his patience again. “You wouldn’t do that. Besides I won’t go quietly and you don’t want to make a scene.”

“Ways around that too,” he muttered, pulling into the parking garage under the bank. He parked in a space reserved for the security team. “We stay together. End of discussion.”

She nodded. Words weren’t possible under the weight of that dark, determined glare.

“I’m here to review the video feed and identify Bradley Roberts. If you see him and think I’ve missed him, cross your arms.”

Her throat was sandpaper.

“Got it?”

“Yes,” she rasped.

“You’re Nick Lazlo and you’re training with Cypress Security.”

“Okay.” If he meant this as a pep talk, it needed work. Her nerves were jumping as she imagined increasingly dire scenarios. “What if I see someone else?”

“Tap my shoulder twice and look in the opposite direction.” He gripped her shoulder. “We’ll be fine. No one will be looking for you here, especially not dressed as you are. Forget Nicole for the next half hour and just be Nick Lazlo.”

“Channel my inner dude.”

For a second, she thought Rick would lock her in the trunk after all.

“Remember high school?”

“Yeah.”

“There had to be a rock star athlete or musician you crushed on. It’s a rite of passage for teenage girls. This is your chance to walk in his shoes.”

“Oh.” Immediately she had a clear picture. The confidence. The swagger. She felt the smirk creep onto her face. “Got it. You’re good.”

“It’s a gift.”

Chapter 7

She worked the sly, masculine confidence as they entered the bank and got through the introductions. Rick’s assertiveness and professionalism impressed her. The bank’s chief of security was no slouch, but there was some kindred spirit respect thing happening, at least from her perspective as a woman trying to be one of the guys.

They watched video from the dates Rick requested. She recognized Mr. Roberts and crossed her arms, though she didn’t know how Rick could see the move since she was positioned slightly behind him.

He made a few notes on his phone and sent an email. After a few minutes talking shop, the security chief escorted them back down to the lobby.

Through the wall of glass facing the street, Nicole recognized the federal marshals assigned to maintaining her secret life, heading toward her office building. She tugged on her cap, and debated how to tap Rick’s shoulder without looking like an idiot or embarrassing them both. Should she fake a call from the office? No way she could pull off a convincing man’s voice for more than a word or two.

Fighting the anxiety, she thought guy thoughts. Zero stress, confidence, and swagger thoughts.

They might be looking for her, but she knew from experience they couldn’t see into the bank from the street. And they’d never expect her to be dressed like this. Her pulse steadied. Didn’t matter what they might tell her boss or anyone else. She was leaving Nicole Livingston’s life behind.

With another firm handshake and a nod, she matched Rick’s pace as they left the bank.

“Will that help Allie?” she whispered when they were in the car.

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