“Well, I’m a bit disappointed you didn’t tell me the truth.”
“You knowI couldn’t, Gwen.” Actually, I’d like to tell her how high up this operation goes, but I’m sworn to secrecy.
She drags my laptop in front of her, squints at the screen, and frowns. “It says here, he’s going to make a move. What does that mean? Is Abigail in danger?”
“No, babe. I’ve upped security all around the house. I love you, and I’d never let anything happen to you, Abbie, or Bun-bun, I promise.” I pull her into my arms and squeeze.
After a heated kiss, she lifts her head from my chest and frowns. “We told Lucky and Callie we’d meet them for dinner. Should we cancel?”
Pinching her chin, I use my most serious tone so there’s no mistaking my intent. “Tonight, we end this. Agreed?”
Biting her lower lip, she nods. “Bring it on.”
Much later, we put my soon-to-be daughter to bed. Bear sits at her door, and a young FBI agent acts as her babysitter. Two other undercover agents guard the street, along with three Patten Security men sprinkled on the perimeter.
On the boardwalk, I slip an arm around her waist and hurry to the more crowded, better-lit area. I wish like hell I didn’t need her here, but the man in charge of this operation insisted.
“I’ll be so glad when this is over.” Gwen glances toward the water and shivers.
Tugging her closer, I lower my head and mutter into the mic taped to my chest. “Lucky, you there?”
“Oi. Nothin' yet, mate.” With him and the team close by, I chill out but stay vigilant.
“Heads up. We’re almost there.” As I walk my fiancé over the uneven boards, the scents of French fries and coconut oil waft on the ocean breeze.
Soon, we enter a more carnival-like atmosphere. We pass a young couple pushing a stroller, an elderly woman eating an ice cream cone, kids on skateboards, and bikini-clad teens. Everything appears normal until I open the heavy restaurant door.
When a brain-shattering headache drops me to my knees, I catch my woman as she’s about to faceplant on the floor. All around us, patrons drop, scream, and curl into a ball.
Through gritted teeth, rolling on the tiles, I spit out, “Lochlan, we’re under attack.”
McGee reaches into her purse and hands me a small hand-held EMF device. “Take this.”
Outside, in the middle of the street in front of the bandstand, Lucky fires a hi-tech rifle toward the sky, and the pain stops.
The Patten man throws the weapon into the back seat, jumps behind the wheel, and tosses me his phone. “What’re you waitin’ for? I need a navigator.”
“Gwen and Callie?” Torn, I glance back at the restaurant and am about to run back when I hear Slate in my ears.
“Ladies are with me. Go.”
As I sit, my pal blares the siren. Lights flashing, he parts the sea of traffic while I watch the red dot on the electronic device’s black screen. “Mind telling me what we’re following?”
“RF Drone. I disabled it, so it should return home.”
“Where’s it headed?” I stick my head out the window but can’t see shit.
Lucky races around a traffic circle and tires squeal as he pulls onto the main drag. “Henlopen State Park.”
“Fuck, was the bird one of ours?”
“Yeah. Rhinesmith must be getting desperate.”
Chapter 31
Those who fear the wolf only see their own reflection in his fierce gaze.~The Big Bad Wolf
Gwen
