Jason held up both hands and lowered his voice. “That will be more difficult. I believe Tayla. Completely. But we have no evidence. Nothing that would stand up in court. It’s pointless anyway because he’s too smart to return to the states. The only crime he’s committed here is kidnapping.”
Leland’s lips pressed into a thin line.
“Hey, go get some sleep. We’ll tackle this tomorrow.”
Leland didn’t move.
“What’s wrong?” Jason asked.
“I can’t believe I’m about to say this.”
“Say what?”
“Go check on Tayla.”
What? He’d love an excuse to check on Tayla, but that was not what he expected to hear from her grouchy, overprotective uncle. “Um. Okay. Why?”
“I’m not good at . . .” He glared at Jason. “Don’t ask me stupid questions. Just go check on her. She needs . . .oh, just do it.”
He made a huff-slash-grunt noise, stalked off to his room, and shut the door.
Jason had to smile. That was the normal, crusty Leland he was familiar with. The senior agent wasn’t mad. He was just more comfortable sounding like Scrooge than showing emotion. And it was obvious Leland Faraday was emotional about his niece’s welfare. Past and present.
He looked at Tayla’s closed door and hated that he felt nervous. This needed to be quick and simple. Not that what her presence was doing to his heart was simple. But it was late. They all needed rest. He just needed to reassure her he would protect her. That she was safe.
He approached her door and said a quick prayer. When he raised his hand to knock, the fire alarm sounded.
Chapter 12
Tayla ran out of her room and straight into Jason. The fire alarm was deafening.
He steadied her, gripping her upper arms. “Are you okay?”
At least that’s what she thought he said. The incessant alarm hijacked most other sounds.
“Is the building on fire?”
He didn’t answer. Just glanced at her, head-to-toe—apparently confirming that she was not on fire or something—and ran to the door.
Leland ran into the room, with his game face on.
Jason opened the door for Knox and Rowan. The four men stood close, yelling into each other’s ears until they seemed to have a plan.
Usually, when a fire alarm went off, she would roll her eyes and slowly exit, knowing there was a ninety-ninepercent chance little to no danger existed. But the four men in front of her looked like they were preparing for battle.
Jason pointed to her feet and said something that probably meant she should go get her shoes. Which she did. She also grabbed her tote and phone.
Seconds later, they were speed walking down the hall—which meant Jason was walking briskly and she was practically running to keep up with him. Rowan and Knox kept pace with her on either side, and Leland stayed behind her. They were down the stairwell and half-way across the lobby before she realized their formation was intentional.
Finally reaching the exit and stepping into the gentle night breeze, they noticed a commotion to their left. And flames.
So, not a false alarm.
Jason directed Knox to drive everyone to “the other hotel.”
Tayla had no idea what he was talking about, but Knox apparently understood. She watched Jason jog toward the crowd of guests gawking at the fire.
Her chest tightened, for reasons she couldn’t explain.
