I didn’t know much about them, only that they were an elite team August had assembled. Most of them were former Special Ops or marines.
Though I knew they were here to protect us…the sight of them sitting there in all that gear sent a ripple of nerves through me.
The room was quiet as one of the men pushed back from the table and stood. He stepped toward us, his face serious but friendly. He had a boyish quality to his face, even though he must’ve been at least a couple of years older than me.
“You about ready?” he asked.
Roman squeezed my hand. The tension in his body was unmistakable. My fingers clenched around him, wanting to reassure him but knowing it was futile.
Roman had been even more displeased with the new plan than the original.
“I’ll be okay,” I murmured to him.
He didn’t reply, but his thumb caressed the back of my hand in acknowledgment that he’d heard.
I glanced at the man who’d approached me. “I’ll go get changed,” I said softly. It was a little unsettling how quiet so many men could be. “Then I’ll be ready.”
The man nodded.
With one last look at Roman, I reluctantly let go of his hand, missing his warmth as I hurried to the downstairs half bathroom off the kitchen and slipped inside.
A change of clothes that I’d put there earlier waited on the counter. It was all the black things that I owned and a couple of new pieces I’d bought specifically for tonight.
I moved quickly, shedding my fundraiser dress and pulling on the black athletic pants and long-sleeved top. Even my socks and sneakers were black, with nothing reflective. August had beenvery specific on what would work. After I was clothed, I tied my hair up into a bun and hid all the light, golden strands beneath a black beanie.
Staring at myself in the mirror, I felt like some kid playing dress-up and trying to be something she wasn’t.
Over it all, I shrugged my coat back on. The dark fabric would help me blend into the night—and keep me warm because it was still freezing outside.
My heels and the dress ended up tucked into the corner of the bathroom. I’d come back for it later.
Hopefully.
The man who had spoken earlier was waiting for me outside the bathroom door, leaning against the wall. He straightened when he noticed me step out.
He extended a hand. “I’m Jude. I’ll be in charge of your safety tonight.”
I shook his hand and gave him a small smile. Jude had a calm and steady presence that made me feel a little better about what we were going to do.
Before I could reply, Roman stepped up beside me. He seemed to melt out of the shadows surrounding us. He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me into his side.
His gaze locked on Jude. “I expect you to take care of every single hair on this head,” Roman said, voice low.
I stifled a shiver, but Jude blinked only once at the clear threat in Roman’s tone. Roman Ramsey could be downright menacing when he wanted to be, but Jude didn’t flinch.
He gave Roman a firm nod, like this was a promise he’d made a thousand times before. “You can trust me.”
Roman continued to pin Jude with his stare, but eventually, he nodded. “I hope so.”
“We should get going,” Jude said to me.
Roman’s grip on me didn’t loosen.
I turned to him, rising on my tiptoes and pressing a kiss on his cheek. “I’ll be fine, Roman,” I whispered. “I’ll see you soon.”
The way he stared at me in that moment left me breathless—like I held something precious in my hands that he wasn’t sure he could afford to lose.
Then he leaned down and kissed me.
