Cameron leaned in close to her ear. “Don’t make stupid promises,” he whispered, the threat heavy in each word.
Laine pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth. She’d hoped he’d be calmer today, but clearly that wasn’t the case. The only good sign was the briefcase hanging from his fingers.
He straightened away from her and adjusted his tie. He wore a crisp white shirt; the color brought out his warm skin tone and bright eyes.
She smiled, forcing as much fake joy as she could muster. “Are you going into the city today?”
He narrowed his eyes, his gaze hot as he studied her face. “That’s none of your business.” Ice coated his words. Then he fixed his gaze on Emmy. “Be a good girl.”
He gave Laine a look loaded with warning before turning and walking out. “I’ll be home late,” he called.
Fire burned Laine’s stomach. She kept her gaze down so Emmy couldn’t see the fury lighting her face.
When the front door shut, she inhaled and turned to her daughter. “You’re a great reader, Emmy. I know Daddy’s very proud of you, just like I am.”
Emmy lowered her book. “No, this one’s stupid.” She dropped the illustrated paperback on the counter with emphasis. Tears welled up in her eyes.
Laine came around the counter and pulled Emmy close to her heart. “It’s not stupid. It’s funny and cute and I love hearing you read it.”
Emmy sighed. “Mommy?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Daddy doesn’t like me anymore. I want to go home.”
Voices approached from the stairwell. A guard was coming down, speaking on the phone. She quickly brought her lips to Emmy’s ear. “We can’t say things like that in here, okay? We’ll go for a walk after breakfast just you and me. We can talk more then.”
Emmy nodded just as the guard came into the room, barely sparing them a glance. Laine quickly parted from Emmy and went back to making breakfast.
Please, God, let today be the day.
Roarke scrubbedhis hands over his face as he sat on his balcony with his laptop propped on the patio table in front of him. Ever since receiving the call from Laine yesterday, he’d been a fucking wreck.
Not only was he worried about her safety, but he had to move and organize quickly. A mission this delicate and with so many moving parts—there wasn’t time to waste, let alone sleep.
The Persian Gulf was heavily guarded by Iraq’s military. He’d called a friend who would arrange a boat—and it’d cost him a hefty bribe. He’d had to disclose that it was an extraction, and it was made clear to him that if they got caught, they were on their own.
Which meant they’d have to sit and wait and hope to hell Cameron didn’t find them.
His phone vibrated on the table, and he swiped to answer. The early afternoon sun warmed his skin as he leaned back in his seat. “Hey.”
“You sound like shit,” Striker said.
Roarke pinched the bridge of his nose. “I hope you called to tell me something I don’t already know.”
“That depends. Do you know your girl’s fiancé is a huge oil tycoon? Guy’s worth half a billion dollars and has security out the ass. Oh, and his wife recently died.”
Roarke fought a wave of frustration.Goddammit, Laine.She couldn’t have found someone more dangerous if she’d fucking tried. “One,” he said, “Laine’s not my girl. She’s my deceased best friend’s little sister. Two, she’s not married to the guy yet. But if we keep dicking around that’s gonna change.”
“I’m not dicking shit. These are facts you’ve overlooked.”
“I haven’t overlooked anything. Either you’re in or you’re out but tell me now.”
Striker groaned. “Why you gotta say it like that? You know I’m in, dammit. I ain’t no pussy.”
“Good. Then tell me you’ve got some intel that’s worthwhile because we’re wheels up in”—he flicked his wrist to read his watch—“eight hours.”
If things were different, he’d fly Laine and her daughter out in the heli. It’d be a helluva lot faster and would help them avoid crossing the water by boat, but there were risks, too. Big ones. If Cameron had military connections, which he surely did, a helicopter would be an easy target to take out of the sky.
