“Tell me again why Barbie is staying here?” he growled.
“Because someone else is hiding out in the other safehouse, and the third house is undergoing renovations. And, Barbie doesn’t want to be a bother so she’s not staying with Kyle and Arden like Winnie is.”
“I thought you were going to say she’s staying with us because she wants to keep an eye onyou.”
“Right, that’s what I just said.” She let a slow smile spread across her face. “Don’t worry, you’ll learn to speak the BFF language.”
Elias looked toward the direction of the bathroom. “Does she take long showers or short ones?”
“It depends on the situation.” Wren ran her hand over his jeans and felt his cock jump. “She’s my bestie and she approves of you. So today? Pretty sure she’ll take a long one and then go for a long walk.”
Elias wasted no time in carrying Wren to the bedroom.
Shane drovethe SUV slowly through the expensive neighborhood past fake Italian villas and houses that could have doubled for a huge ski lodges. Somewhere behind him drove an unmarked car that would be joined by several marked SUVs after Gina and Wren were in place. In addition to sending Kyla all the evidence, Gina had contacted the police and filled them in. What Wren was learning about her new friend was that Gina knew all the right people to get shit done fast. At the precinct with the lead detective, Wren signed about eight thousand consent forms and then learned more than she ever thought she’d know about sting operations.
Charlie rode shotgun. Wren and Gina sat behind them, with Elias and Lachlan in the back, behind tinted windows. Wren was dressed in business casual. Gina had borrowed one of Barbie's more provocative dresses. She hoped it would provide enough distraction to keep Weisser’s attention on her body rather than on her face.
Wren didn't think that would be much of a problem.
“Almost there,” Shane said from the driver's seat. “Are you two ready?”
“Ready as I'll ever be,” Wren said as she adjusted her dark wig then wiped her damp palms on her black linen skirt. Shepatted her satchel. In a follow-up phone call, Weisser told her to deliver one-point-five million dollars in bearer bonds—untraceable and way more portable than stacks of hundreds. After that, she was to come up with an excuse to leave “Barbie” alone with him for the rest of the night.
Of course that’s not what’s going to happen.
“I’m sorry you have to wear those shoes again.” Gina nodded her chin at the toe-murdering stilettos.
“I’m the one who has to record him taking the bribe.” Wren shrugged, trying to make the gesture look nonchalant, as if she dressed up and played super spy once a day and twice on Sundays. “You’re not supposed to know I’m cheating you out of millions, Barbie.”
“I’ll try and give you the opportunity to be alone with him as quickly as I can without looking suspicious.” She tapped her ear, where a tiny comm hid. Wren wore one as well, as did the rest of the team tonight. “I’ll be able to hear every word. If there is the smallest hint that things are about to go sideways, I’ll be right there, even ahead of the police.”
Elias growled from behind her, then laid his hand on Wren’s shoulder. She tried to entwine her fingers with his, but he covered her hand with his instead and squeezed. He ran his finger over the band of her engagement ring. She still couldn’t get over the craftsmanship. Her ring was similar to Ellie’s and Rochelle’s rings—Ben had made theirs as well as Gabe and Bear’s wedding bands. Only instead of mountains like Rochelle’s or stars like Ellie’s, Ben had covered her ring with flames, symbolizing the fire that had brought Elias into her life.
And one carefully carved scrubs top.
“I’ll be all right,” she told him.
“Any sign that you’re in trouble, I don’t care. I’m charging in.”
“Elias,” Wren warned. “You can’t do that ahead of the police. It breaks every protocol and this will be for nothing.” She looked at Gina for support but it was Lachlan who spoke instead.
“Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in this position, hoping Gina comes back to me unharmed. This sting is nothing compared to what she and I have faced before. Does that make it easier to watch her walk up Weisser’s driveway and into a situation that I can’t control? Of course not. But every mission I’ve seen her on was one meant to save lives. Tonight is no different. I have to stand ready to protect her, but also stand back and let her work for the greater good. She’s had to do the same with me.”
“It’s not the same,” Elias argued. “We’re military and Gina is also a professional. Wren is not.”
“But I’m surrounded by amazing people, Elias. I trust Gina. I trust Shane and Lachlan and Charlie. And I trust you the most. I’ll be safe. I’ve got this, baby.We’vegot this. I can’t live with myself if someone loses their home because I sat on the sidelines. You know that.”
He took a deep breath and blew it out, hard. “I know.” He squeezed her hand again. “Just come back to me safe.”
“We’re here.” Shane turned up a long driveway and parked in front of a particularly ostentatious house. Charlie got out first to open “Barbie’s” door.
“Ready?” Gina asked Wren. She had already shifted into the voice she’d use for the night. Not only did she look like Barbie, but she sounded like her right after a bad coughing fit, or recovering from a cold. The rasp was meant to work just like the lightly tinted glasses and obscure what little bit Gina couldn’t mimic perfectly.
“I’m ready,” Wren answered. “Let’s go nail the bastard’s balls to the wall.”
“Proud of you, baby. Love you,” Elias said as he gave her hand one last squeeze before letting go.
“Love you.” Then she was out of the car and meeting Gina around the front. Charlie escorted them up the driveway toward the huge wooden double-doors under a portico.
