“So, no talking international espionage on it?”
“Or near it. The case has a similar device to the one you wore today.”
I blew out a breath. This was really happening.
I removed the Band-Aid mic and handed it to him, along with the camera clip.
“My number is programmed into the secure phone,” Nolan said. “If you need me, just call. Otherwise, I’ll be working out of the room here.”
I left the suite, headed to mine, and locked myself in the bathroom while I let my nerves wash over me. Jada’s family was part of an international crime syndicate. Dawson was an FBI agent. I was now the proud owner of a make-believe company that was an empty shell to hide Jada’s real plans of bringing down her father.
My body shook. The mild threat in her dad’s voice as he’d talked about lab accidents rang through my head. The reality of the danger we were all in. I thanked God no one else Dawson and I loved was anywhere near New London at the moment.
Dawson
I WANNA KISS YOU ALL OVER
“When I get home, babe, gonna light your fire.
All day I've been thinkin' about you, babe.
You're my one desire.”
Performed by Exile
Written by Chapman / Chinn
By the time I got backto the pier at the yacht club, night had fallen. The crowd was still there, but it had thinned. Dax had texted to meet him in the restaurant of the club when I was ready. I didn’t feel like joining him. I wanted to get back on theAda Maeand head home. I wanted to sleep for a day and a half straight, but we had media waiting to interview us both.
When I walked into the club, a small cheer broke out. Drinks were raised in my direction, and I put on the smile they wanted to see and gave a dramatic bow. Demario pounded me on the back and shook my hand. Angelica did the same.
“We’re still going to beat you on the way home,” she said.
“Just keep Demario away from any glass bottles, and you might have a chance,” I taunted. He flipped me off, and she rolled her eyes.
I settled in on a couch with Dax. His assistant showed in a slew of media, one at a time, and we sat through a million of the same questions. It was after midnight before we said goodbye to the last group and left for the hotel.
In the car, Dax turned to me with gritted teeth and asked what I knew was killing him to ask. “Is she okay?”
I nodded. “Look?”
“Just,pour l'amour du Christ, keep it all away from me and our company.” His tone was bitter.
It was too late. I’d embroiled us in with every move I’d made with Malone. I ran my hand over my face and told him the truth. “It may be too late, but I’ll do my best.”
“Merde,” he said.
Silence overtook us. After a long moment, he said, “If it’s going to crumble apart, give me a chance to walk away first. My family…we can’t take that kind of hit. The way we look…the money we have… They’ll tie us to terrorists and crucify us.”
No good to the core.Fuck. I may not cost him a limb, but I could cost him the life he knew. I was a thoughtless schmuck, joining the FBI and going after Jada’s family with a single-minded focus to prove myself. To who? A dad who didn’t give a shit? Who would never give a shit, even if I ended up with a Medal of Valor.
I couldn’t promise Dax anything, but I gave another curt nod.
Back at the hotel, I ordered room service, swallowed a bowl ofpaella, and then texted Violet from my secure phone to her matching one.
ME: How are you both?
VI: Everything is calm and normal. Give us a few hours, and I’m sure Jada will have had a few drinks, and we’ll be dancing up and down the stairs.
