“And how did they know the room number?” Blake asked.
“Dude, I’m not a miracle worker or a mind reader, but I’d bet they have access to security cameras, just like I do.”
“We need to leave the city.”
“My thoughts exactly. Flying back to the States would be the best bet.”
“I can’t. My target is due, and he’s been coded.”
“Then put her on a plane.”
Blake’s lip lifted in a sneer. “Not fucking happening. She isn’t out of my sight until I have to leave to take that bastard out.”
“Then we look for somewhere close.” Con’s fingers were tapping faster than an automatic could expel ammo. “Okay, here’s an idea …”
Con talked, and Blake was pretty amazed that he actually approved of the idea the man came up with. “You know, for a complete and utter fuckwad, you’re pretty smart.”
“Ah, stahpp!” Con drawled. “You’ll give me an overinflated opinion of myself. I’ll work this and transfer everything to your phone and to Jewell. May I suggest you shitcan those phones?”
Blake would take out the SIM cards and batteries. “Consider them toast.”
“Good talking with you, but I’m bored now. Bye,” Con said as he disconnected.
Blake rolled his eyes. The fucker was annoying as hell.
CHAPTER 10
The scrape of fabric pulled her awake. Elise blinked against the light coming from the next room, not the nonexistent morning light that should’ve been spilling through the curtains. She turned and found Blake standing near the bed, already dressed. Jeans. A fresh shirt. Boots laced tight.
“Well, that’s not creepy at all.” She blinked, trying to bring him into focus. “Why are you dressed already? What time is it?” she mumbled, pushing herself upright, still groggy. “It’s still dark. What’s going on?”
He didn’t hesitate. “We’re leaving. Now.”
Her stomach flipped. “Why? Blake, what happened?”
“The two men outside the door weren’t random. They were sent to get rid of you. We’re not staying another minute.”
“What two men?”
“The ones I took care of. The stir that woke you last night. Get up.”
Her mouth went dry. The words hit harder than she expected, confirming the unease that had kept her awake after she’d whispered his name in the dark. She’d wanted to ask whohad sent them, how he knew, but before she could, a sharp knock rattled the door.
Blake’s hand went instantly to his back, and she saw the flash of metal as he drew his gun, keeping it hidden behind him. The transformation was terrifying. He went from trying to get her to wake up to … well, deadly. His mannerisms didn’t change, just the aura around him. She could feel the lethal readiness as he moved toward the door.
Getting up, she went to her door and peeked out to see what was going to happen. When he cracked the door open, her pulse skittered, but relief trickled in when she heard the courier’s voice. “From Guardian.”
Blake opened the door wider for the courier to enter. He accepted a cardboard crate and, in a blur of motion, dropped her computer, two phones, two wallets, and two credential holders into the box before sliding the lid shut and sealing it. The courier handed him a key ring. “It’s parked behind the hotel, loading zone. No one’s watching. My teammate is making sure.”
Keys jingled in Blake’s fist as he turned back to her. “Time to go.”
He grabbed his bag. That was when she noticed hers was there as well. He pointed to the foot of her bed. She went back into her room, shoved her feet into her shoes, and tugged on her coat, effectively covering her pajamas. As she came out of the room, Blake held out her computer bag, where her only notes and identification were now held. The computer had been taken by the courier to Guardian. She clutched her bag to her chest as he urged her toward the door. “Look down. Keep looking down, and don’t look up.” His palm settled at her back, steady but urgent, guiding her through the hallway, into the elevator, across the lobby.
She forced herself to do as he said, keeping her head bowed and not looking at anyone. She tried hard not to think about themen Blake said had been sent toget rid of her.Only when the cool morning air hit her face at the rear exit and she saw the car did she exhale.
But relief was fleeting. If someone had tried once, they could try again.
The car engine rumbled, and Blake steered them onto the street without a word. Elise hugged her bag tightly, her fingers aching from the pressure. “Can I look now?”
