“Adapt and overcome.”
Jace nodded. “Adapt and overcome.”
He set down the phone and closed his laptop, pausing to let his spiked adrenaline wane with a few paced breaths.Leave it to Mr. Fearless to plan a double sting op.A chuckle passed through his lips.Way to double the danger, Jace.
The metal clank of a deadbolt latching pulled him from his thoughts. Make that,unlatching— Amy was opening shop. He recalled the playful way she’d waved at him down the aisle and realized, with a dose of regret, that he’d been sucked back into his work without so much as acknowledging her.
It’s for her,he reminded himself. All of this was to keep Amy safe. And anyone else who might fall subject to the underground deeds of the dark ring. Still, as she spun on one heel and flung the keys around her finger, Jace made his way to Amy. He reached for her arm as she rounded the counter, stopping her before she made it to the stockroom.
Amy set those warm brown eyes on him and lifted that challenging brow of hers. “Nowyou’re ready for some attention?”
He brought his nose to her cheek and nodded, inhaling that warm, vanilla scent. “Yes,” he murmured.
The door chimed, and Amy pulled away like her mother had just stepped in.
She hadn’t. Just a gawky-looking kid holding a sack of parts.
“Do you have a return?” she asked, stepping around Jace to assist the customer.
As she did, Jace shook his head at the dilemma he faced. The men from his SEAL team could probably write a book by now:How to Protect the Woman You’re Falling in Love With.Jace needed it; this mission had him itching to pull the trigger in record time. But jumping the gun never did increase the odds. He’d bide his time, keep calculating their chances, and move in once he knew they’d succeed. Until then, distracted and falling in love as he was, Jace would do what it took to keep his wits about him.
