“Yes, but I told her I’d dropped it, because I didn’t want to bring it up again unless I had proof.” Lindsey absently stroked the napkin draped across her thigh. “I never wanted to hurt her. I was happy that her business was taking off. I thought I was protecting her.”
Todd covered her hand with his own. “What did you find?”
She flipped her hand palm up and twined her fingers with his. “Most of the businesses that bought big-ticket courses from her looked like shell companies, operating out of common tax haven countries like Cyprus. Theoretically, they could’ve been legit clients with lots of employees taking her classes, but the majority of purchases were for classes on how to start your own freelance business. Why would a company pay for that, and always through an affiliate? It raised some flags.”
“If it’s any consolation,” he said, “you were right.”
“I wish I wasn’t.” Her forlorn look tempted him to wrap her in his arms and kiss her until they both forgot all about Megan.
The phone in his pocket vibrated and Todd snatched it up immediately. Saved by the buzz. “Hey.”
“Brennan?” Kurt asked, his voice faint against the action movie preview currently playing on screen.
“Stand by.” Todd stood, releasing Lindsey’s hand, momentarily torn between leaving her alone and taking her with him. Both of them walking out for a phone call would look strange though, right? “I’ll be back in a minute.”
She frowned but nodded.
Jogging to the end of the aisle, he slipped through the door and stepped into the lobby. The kid was still behind the counter, but the place appeared otherwise deserted. Not wanting to lose sight of the door to the theater, Todd moved to the opposite corner of the open room. “Can you hear me?”
“That’s perfect. You still safe?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, here’s the deal. Ms. King-Okonkwo is on her way to you now. She’ll have everything you need including fresh phones and a secure place to stay.” Kurt relayed the woman’s cell phone number and the rest of the details. “Anything else?”
“Just thanks. To you and Scott. I owe you.”
“The only thing you owe me is a safe return,” Kurt said, sounding annoyed. “Scott might have other ideas.”
Todd scoffed, eyeballing everyone who passed outside the building’s big front windows. He could never give up his Steele crew. “Okay, man. See you soon.” God willing.
He ended the call and returned to the theater. Still empty except for Lindsey seated in the back corner. He let loose the breath he’d been holding, unwilling to examine all the reasons he didn’t want to be away from her.
“Everything okay?” she asked softly.
Sitting heavily as exhaustion settled into his limbs like concrete, he leaned close and said, “The lawyer’s on her way. Timing will be tight, but she should arrive right around the end of the movie.”
Lindsey visibly relaxed, gripping his hand hard. “I’m scared about turning ourselves in. I don’t know if I trust the system to get it right. But I’m so ready to stop running.”
“I’m scared too. This is a fucked-up situation, and there are no guarantees.” He should probably sugarcoat things, try to make her feel better, but she was a smart woman. She understood the world, that the justice system wasn’t always fair. What would be the point?
And supposedly, she preferred his thoughts straight up.
She gave him a wan smile and brought his knuckles up for a brief kiss. “I’m glad I’m not alone.”
Alone in her feelings, or physically? Either way… “Same.” He returned the gesture, pressing his lips to the back of her fingers, both wanting more, and somehow enjoying the comfort of this small act. “And I will do everything in my power to protect you. To make sure the right people go to jail.”
“Thank you.” She kissed him hard on the mouth, stopping long before he was ready. “Me too.”
He smiled. No woman besides his mother had ever declared her desire to protecthim.
Lindsey blinked slowly, her body sagging with fatigue.
He curled his arm around her shoulder and held her close against his side, careful not to crush her against the metal armrest with its fraying upholstery. The contact soothed his nerves. “You can rest. I’ll keep watch.”
Her eyelids drifted closed. “Aren’t you tired?”
“It’s okay. I won’t be able to sleep.” Despite his weariness, he was wired, on alert for any threat. He couldn’t let his guard down while they were at risk.
