Donna nodded. “Yep.”
Lincoln captured her chin and pulled her face closer to his. “Have you gone insane?”
Donna pulled away and peered at him with a raised brow. “Lincoln, think of it as just another undercover assignment. I can handle myself.”
Lincoln kissed her forehead and sighed. “Donna, I don’t doubt for a minute that you can take care of yourself, but this is different. Normally, you know who your target is, and they don’t know you. This time, they know you, and you don’t have a clue who you're dealing with.”
“Lincoln, I--”
“No, babe,” he interrupted. “You’re flying blind here.”
Donna chuckled. “Honey, I’m always flying a little blind. It’s what I do. Bella solves homicides. I infiltrate.”
Lincoln shrugged. “I just don’t know how your acting skills and feminine wiles are gonna help find out who’s trying to kill us.”
“You’d be surprised,” Donna quipped. “And speaking of feminine wiles…” she began, glaring at Lincoln through narrowed lids. “Who is your blonde friend, and why was she all over you like Rose DeWitt Bukater on that iceberg?”
Lincoln laughed. “Titanic references? When do you have time for movies?”
Donna shook her head. “Don’t try to change the subject. Who’s the blonde?”
Lincoln’s lips curled into a crooked smile that made him look younger than he was. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”
“Of course, not.” Donna scoffed in rebuttal. “I’m just saying she’s real touchy-feely.”
“Touchy-feely?” Lincoln asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He pulled her close to his chest and kissed the top of her head. “Her name is Pam, and I don’t know about touchy-feely. What I do know is she’s a highly-decorated soldier who retired and transitioned to the private sector. She’s highly trained and qualified so I brought her in to keep our family safe.”
“Yeah, okay,” Donna muttered. The possessiveness she was feeling for Lincoln was foreign.
“Listen here, Detective,” Lincoln whispered against her forehead. “You gotta get your head in the game. You need to stop worrying about Pam and go out and find me somebody to kill.”
CHAPTER 24
TAYLOR
Victor draped his arm over Taylor’s shoulders as they walked the massive grounds of his parents’ compound. It was sunny and warm, the perfect day to appreciate his mother’s extensive rose garden.
“You think Vicky is up yet?” Victor asked.
Taylor laughed. It was his third time asking after complaining that she was always asleep during his very limited free time. “I’m sure she is, honey. Let’s head back.”
Victor looked down at her with boyishly raised brows. “For real? You’re ready to go back?”
Taylor pivoted on her foot and made an about-face. “Come on.”
Victor caught up, lifted her off the ground, and threw her over his shoulder.
“You're gonna throw your back out, Governor. I ain’t light as a feather and you ain’t no spring chicken.” ?
“Whaaat?” Victor protested with a smack to her ass. “I’ll have you know that my opponent often refers to me as spry and inexperienced.”
“Spry?” Taylor giggled. “Okay, young fellow.”
“Damn right,” Victor quipped while rubbing the sting from her butt cheek.
“Governor?” Andrew called from the patio. “The senator would like to see you.”
“Thank you. I’ll be right in.” Victor leaned forward, allowing Taylor to slide down his body. Before stepping away, she took a second to look him in the eye. “How are you holding up?” she asked.
