“One and the same. Actually, she’s the one who’s on Lawrence.”
“Wait, what? I never saw her.”
Camden grinned. “Spooky is as Spooky does. She’s damn good at her job. So, if you ever get tired of good old Julia, you can always come work for Watchdog,” he joked.
Elena bit her lower lip. “Well, about that. I’m looking at a new job opportunity, actually.”
Camden propped himself up higher. “Really, that’s great! I’m proud of you.” Except, Elena didn’t look excited or happy, she looked anxious and stressed. “Are you afraid you’re not going to get it?”
She gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Oh, I’m pretty much guaranteed to get it, and it’s an amazing opportunity. But, there’s one thing you’re not going to like.” She propped herself up. “Please, promise me you’re not gonna be mad when I tell you what it is.”
Oh, God. She’s leaving. For one moment, his world sank. Now that they’d worked out their shit, she was going to leave.
“The job’s across the country, isn’t it?”But, if it starts right away, she’ll be out of danger. He wrestled with his conscience—encourage her to take it, or to stay with him.
“No, babe, it’s here in town.”
Immediate relief.
“But, here’s the thing.”
Relief turned to concern, then to outright dismay as she told him about the deal she’d made with Delia.
Well, shit, he thought.
“So, you see, I did put myself smack dab in the middle. I’m sorry. I told you I’d stay away from Cici, and then I went and did the opposite. How mad are you?”
Camden sighed. “I’m…mad isn’t the word.”
“You’re disappointed.”
He held up a finger. “Do not put words in my mouth. Am I upset that you’re gonna be at the villa, that you’re entangled? Yes, I am, because that’s gonna put more stress on me. But.” He lifted her chin again as she started to look away. “I’m excited for you. This is the big time, this is what you’ve wanted to do, what you’re meant to do as far as I’m concerned. I’m not going to stand between the woman I love and her shot at success. Like you said, it’s not like you’re going to be on Cici’s arm the whole night. You’ll be doing your thing behind the scenes. I’m going on recon at the villa on Saturday, figure out the security needs and challenges. Does this mean I’m going to pay more attention to the kitchen than before? Absolutely.”
He cupped her cheek. “I’m not mad that my gorgeous lady saw her chance and took it. I’m fucking happy for you, and I’m going to do everything in my power to support and protect you.”
Elena looked relieved. Then her eyes brightened with excitement. “I can help you in the meantime and while I’m there. I know Cici’s got something big that she’s afraid will ruin Roger’s chances. And I’m pretty sure that Lawrence has something to do with it. Maybe I can get her to open up to me. I can call her and—”
“Babe. We’re on it. This ismyjob, not yours.” As tempting as it was to wire Elena up and send her off to a three-cocktail lunch with Cici, he just couldn’t put her directly in harm’s way.
Elena narrowed her eyes at Camden. “I’m not her.”
Shit. He furrowed his brow. “Not Cici?”
“Not Susan.”
Camden still decided to play dumb. “Not following.”
The way she tilted her head, he knew she could see through him. “I see what you’re doing, trying to make up for your past mistakes with her through me. I get it. I do. You’re telling yourself you’re doing it out of love—and you are,” she added when she saw him start to protest. “But, you’re also doing it out of guilt, and I’m not going to stand for that. You leave that behind as of tonight, or else you’re sabotaging us from the start.”
Fuck. She’d sent a missile straight to the heart. “Dammit. I’m not… I’m…”
“Camden. I’m not trying to be a bitch.”
“Never said that. Never even thought it.” He gritted his teeth. “I hate this because you’re right. I am treating you like her. No, like IwishI’d treated her.” He shook his head. “I’m in a shitty position, because the truth is, you’d make a perfect asset. Your instincts are good about something being fishy with them. You’ve got an in with Cici, and I think you could uncover intel that we need faster than what we’re doing. But I’ll be damned if I put you in danger, if I make you a target—no,moreof a target—than you already are.”
“You aren’tmakingme do anything, Cam. I’m volunteering. You aren’t trying to deceive me or manipulate me. I’m offering because it’s the right thing to do. I’m not naïve. I’ve been in bad situations before. I…” Her eyes darkened, probably thinking about the kidnapping. “This is bigger than me, than us. If I can help, then I want to help. I’ve done it before.”
Camden sighed again. She was right, of course—his smart, sweet, giving woman was right. “I’m not gonna set something obvious up—”
