“Alright.I get it.”He nods back, exhaling slow.
“It’s dangerous, but I know you’ll help me.”
“Yes, of course.I’ll always help you.”He squeezes my hand tight.
We’ve reached an understanding.I’m the only one who can get into their circle.I’ve already proven I can shake them just by showing up.This time will be no different.We’ll get their confession and end this.
“Thank you, Laird.”
I wrap my arms around him and press a kiss to his cheek.He pulls me closer; his arms locked around my waist and back like he’ll never let me go.His lips brush my cheek, and then he inhales against my neck, slow and deep.
* * *
“You good?”Laird asks.
“Uh huh.”I nod quickly.
I adjust the receiver in my ear again.It’s silver, with tiny crystals along the edge—designed to look like a full ear cuff instead of a listening device.It pairs with a matching choker pendant, which doubles as a voice recorder.Laird wears the same kind of receiver, but his is plain black and rigid.
“Test,” a woman’s voice buzzes faintly in my ear.
“Can you hear me?”I ask.
“Yes, loud and clear,” she replies.
“Can you hear it clearly?”Laird asks again, double-checking.
“Yes.I’m ready.”I exhale slowly.
“You remember the safe word?”he asks.
“Whitehill Academy.”
“Okay.”Laird lets out a tense breath.His jaw is tight, lips parted but not smiling.He’s nervous, but so am I.Still, we have to make this work tonight.
“Okay, everyone to your positions,” the FBI unit leader says through the comms.“My scout spotted Alan in a black limousine.He turned four blocks away.Laird, Matthew, and Jessy, join surveillance team one.The rest stay in van two with me and Mr.Golden.”
Everyone rushes out of my house.Laird cups my face and kisses me, a deep, nervous kiss that’s both grounding and electric.
“Remember, the second you say the safe word, I’ll come for you,” he says.His eyes burn with determination.I squeeze his hand once.
“Yes.We got this.”I nod.
“I’ll be watching you from afar and praying for you, babe.You’re brave as hell,” Jessy says, squeezing my shoulders.
“Yeah, Jessy.I’ll be fine.”I grin.
“After this, I’m enrolling you in acting classes and pitching you to every Hollywood producer I know,” he adds.
“Looking forward to it.”I smile again, softer this time.
“You got this, girl!”Matthew bumps his fist, and I tap mine to his.
They all leave and shut the door behind them, careful not to make noise in case Alan’s close.My mom stands beside me, holding my hand.She kisses my knuckles.
“You have all my blessings.Just come home safe,” she says, squeezing my hand tight.
“Yes, Mom.Don’t worry.I’ll be back once the foundation is free of those crooks.”
