Page 33 of Montana Rain

“What? No.”

“Then why not?” I dared to take a step closer. “Why not let me help you?”

“I can’t.”

I stepped forward again and took another risk. Cradling her face in my hands, I made sure she was looking at me. She didn’t slap my hands away, and suddenly her breath was short. “You seem to say that a lot around me, but I’ve never heard a single reason why.” Before she could say anything, I forged on. “I’m not asking you to tell me. I’m asking you to let me help you. Even if it’s just this once. What I’m not doing is asking you to sell me your soul.”

My voice was softer as I resisted the urge to close the distance between us and taste her lips again. Her and that fucking cherry lip gloss. “Just let me help keep you alive. Please.”

She searched my face for what felt like an eternity. “Okay.”

“Thank you.” I relaxed and released her. But I needed to see her spark again, even if it wasn’t a smile. “Besides, if you die, how else can I prove that you’re missing out on all of this?”

Rayne rolled her eyes when I gestured to my body. “I’m not sleeping with you during this arrangement, just so we’re clear.”

She stepped back toward the office, and I caught her by the arm. “If you think I’m helping you so you’ll owe me some kind of sexual favor, no. I would never force you into anything.” I pulled her just a fraction closer. “But if you ask, Rayne, I’ll give you everything.”

“I won’t.” She pulled her arm from my grip.

We’ll see.

“Send an email to your clients. You need to shut your phone off before we leave.”

Rayne nodded and pulled out her phone. I hadn’t seen her computer unless she’d shoved it in the suitcase. She hadn’t known she would be going on the run when she’d packed the bag sitting inside the office.

“I hate this,” she mumbled, typing out the message and pressing send.

“I know. But your clients will be happier to have you alive.”

She couldn’t argue with that.

Together, we walked into the office again, and Jude handed Rayne the flash drive. “Everything set?”

I nodded. “Yeah. We’ll head up there now.”

“With the storm, you might be up there for a few days, no matter what happens. You have everything you need?”

Rayne still stared down at the flash drive in her hands. We needed to keep it with us. Because the only thing worse than the mafia knowing Rayne had it was their knowing—and finding her without it. “We could stop by my house and raid the pantry,” Rayne said, though her voice was flat.

“No need. I’ve got supplies for at least a week. Picked them up yesterday.” There was no hiding the grin on my face now. For once, the universe was on my side in taking down all the walls Rayne tried to throw up in our way.

Daniel looked at me, and I felt the weight of it. “Do you need anything else, then?”

“Just keep me posted about the contact with the Bureau.”

“We’ll call you,” Jude said. “I’ll encrypt the line.”

“Thanks. Rayne?” I picked up her suitcase, and it took her a second to look at me. “Let’s go.”

She shook herself, as if she was trying to wake up from something, before she looked at the others. Her voice was quiet. “Thank you again. And I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, Rayne. Be safe,” Lucas said.

She followed me out, and I helped her back up into my truck, just like the first time. When I climbed in, she looked over at me, and I didn’t think I was supposed to hear her words. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

I looked at her and saw the battle brewing in her eyes. “Don’t worry, princess. This is going to be fun.”

Chapter 15

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