Shit.
“Yes.”
“That’s not in your job description,” he says carefully.
“I know, but he asked. I didn’t want to say no.” I cringe, knowing there is far more to the story than I’m telling him and hoping he can’t see right through me.
I hear Declan take a long breath. “I’m putting Gray in there with you.”
I go to object, but he cuts me off. “No, Nova. I’m giving you a backup. No arguing. This got way more complicated than I expected, and I won’t have you getting killed because some idiot got himself involved in something that was way over his head.”
I tense, wanting to defend Owen, but I know that will only make things worse.
“I’ll post Gray at the coffee shop in the lobby,” Declan continues. “He can monitor everyone coming and going and pick up on any gossip.”
“Fine.”
“Nova, I don’t know what’s going on with you, and I’ve given you space and time hoping you’d come back to yourself at some point, but…” He trails off for a moment. “You’re getting sloppy. I thought the mess with the trial would make you more careful.” He stops and breathes deeply. “Do I need to pull you out?”
“No,” I say way too quickly. “I won’t fail you. I’ll be more careful.”
Declan sighs. “You are the best, Nova. I can’t imagine this job without you, but I don’t know how to help you. I don’t know how to get that trial dropped. I know a win on this assignment will help, but now I’m not so confident.”
He’s right. This assignment could save me. But is it worth damning someone else to save my own skin?
Chapter 18
“Can we get to the security plan, please?” I beg Noah and Owen, who stand facing each other and look as though they might throw punches.
Noah finally breaks his stare and turns to me with a wicked smile. “Of course, love.”
I swear Owen flinches, but I ignore him. “You’ll have someone assigned to Owen at all times, correct?”
“Yes. A personal guard will shadow him. I will have another guard stationed at the front entrance and the entrance to his office. The last guard will be wherever he’s needed.”
I nod. That’s better than I expected. I turn to Owen, who still looks furious. “Is that ok?”
When he looks at me, his gaze softens a bit. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“No security for you?”
I almost laugh. “They aren’t after me.”
“They might be now.”
Noah raises a brow. I didn’t tell him I was involved in the run-in yesterday.
I shake my head. “As I said before, I can take care of myself.”
Owen glares at me, but Noah chimes in. “I’d be happy to watch over you, Miss Riley.”
I want to wipe the smirk off his face but hold back. Once again, Owen looks as though he wants to punch Noah. I don’t blame him this time.
I grit my teeth. “No, thank you, Noah. I am perfectly fine on my own.”
Noah winks at me conspiratorially, but Owen doesn’t understand the meaning behind it and only takes it as more flirtation. Not that it isn’t, but he doesn’t know Noah like I do.
