But it was probably better not to say all of that, not yet. He was still just trying to get her agreement for the case. Having him pose as her lover would work for Nash in so many ways.
One, he’d get plenty of up-close and personal access to Delaney. The closer they were, the more chances he’d have to win her back.
Two, he seriously was damn good at protection. He fought hard, dirty, and didn’t hesitate to kill. Three necessary requirements in a CIA operative.
Three, he would stop Kurt Wellington. Nash had a personal interest in the man’s utter and complete downfall. You don’t ever take a knife to Delaney. You don’t lock her up. You don’t terrify her.
Four—
More hard pounding on the door. “What are you two waiting for in there? Christmas? Jez needs confirmation, STAT. And if Delaney isn’t consenting to Plan B, then that means she has to choose another option. I’m thinking Plan C. She goes to a safe house, and she’s well guarded until this is over.”
If she chooses that plan, then I’ll make sure I’m in that safe house with her.
Nash stepped back. Jez hated to be kept waiting, and a pissed Jez tended to make the world worse for everyone. His hands slipped from Delaney as he turned away. His steps were silent as he advanced toward the door.
“I choose you.”
Hell, yes. Her words rolled through him.
“I’ll tell Jez that I choose you.”
And I will always choose you, sweetheart. Always. Never again would he walk away from her. He didn’t care what threats were hanging over his head. He would not give her up.
Never. Again.
“You’re sure about this?” Jezebel asked her.
No, she was not sure. She was terrified. Her body trembled. Her heart raced. She wanted to turn and run and go as far and as fast away from danger as she could and yet…
Delaney’s gaze cut toward a watchful Nash. He’d vowed to keep her safe. Staying with him was far better than walking out of that door with Jezebel and being handed off to agents that she didn’t know or—even more terrifying—trying to go undercover with Kurt? No, no way. She did not have the skill set for that kind of job, thanks so much. Lying had never come easily to her.
“I’m sure.” Too bad the words didn’t sound confident. “Nash will play the role of my, um…” Boyfriend didn’t sound right. Neither did lover. Way too intense. So?—
“Fiancé,” Nash supplied. “I’ll be the new groom. We’ll spring the trap in Vegas.”
Her gaze lingered on him.
Staring straight at her, Nash added, “She’ll marry me.”
“Pretend marry,” Delaney corrected because that was an important distinction to note. “I’ll pretend marry you.”
He merely lifted a brow.
“And we’ll catch the ex,” Jezebel said. “Though, be warned, this mission will contain plenty of danger. We’ll do everything possible to mitigate the threats to you, but Wellington is a sadistic killer. No variable can be controlled one hundred percent. Knowing that, realizing the risks, you are quite certain you do not want to simply take my offer of the safe house and vanish?”
Delaney curled and uncurled her fingers. “You need more evidence against him or else Kurt stays free. He keeps hurting other people.” And he’ll stay out there, hunting me. I don’t think he’ll stop hunting me.
“Yes.” No sugarcoating from Jezebel. “He’ll keep killing until we stop him.”
“Then I can handle the danger.” No, she could not. But she was certainly hoping Nash could step up on that score. “I will help to stop Kurt.” There. Done.
“Excellent.” A wave of Jezebel’s hands toward the two guards who seemed to be her constant shadows. “We’re going to make sure the trail of stolen cars can’t be traced to this location.”
The stolen cars. Right. Nash had been busy swapping out rides on their trek to the safe house.
Jezebel crisply continued, “I’ll get Hans to switch out the vehicle that is here now, just in case you need to make a quick getaway.”
Hans?
