On the bright side, the blackmail could actually be good news. If the Bureau got involved, Fowler might freak out and back off.
Reid entered the lobby, and as he ran a hand through his hair to right strands the wind had blown astray, he caught sight of Megan’s wary gaze. His heart ached with concern for her—and maybe more than concern.
If the FBI did get involved, they would expect him to leave her in their care. Could he do that? Step away? Resume his life?
No. No way. No matter how many agents worked this case, he wouldn’t back off for one second. She was starting to mean too much to him, and he always took care of the people he cared about.
No matter the cost.
Chaos. Inside and out. Squad car lights twirling. Uniformed police officers. FBI agents. All scurried around the parking deck as Megan peered out the window of the lounge. Their response was greater than for the fake bomb.
Ella sat unaware in the closed-off lounge, eating a peanut butter sandwich Reid had gotten from the cafeteria and watching a Christmas program on Megan’s phone to distract her.
They should all be sitting down to lunch at the lodge right now, but Fowler had taken care of that plan. Not that she could eat a bite with the nausea unsettling her stomach.
She sensed someone’s presence at the door and turned. Reid was staring at her. How long he’d been standing there, she didn’t know.
“Hey.” He crossed the room.
Ella lifted her face to him, eyes bright with excitement. “Are we ready to go home now, Mr. Reid?”
“Not quite yet,” Reid answered and drew Megan out of Ella’s hearing range.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I won’t be taking you to the lodge. Jack will.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
He pulled out a hand and held it up. “Nothing to be concerned about. We’ve just decided it would be better for Jack to drive you and for me to act as a decoy in case Fowler’s watching.”
“But you all said you didn’t think he would be here with all the law enforcement presence.”
“We don’t, but there’s always a possibility he is, and we don’t want him to find out where you’re staying.”
She didn’t like this plan. “But he’ll see that I’m not with you.”
“Jack arranged for a female agent to stand in for you. Her name is Lauren Nickels, and she looks enough like you that from a distance it should confuse Fowler.”
“And what about you? Will you still be coming to the lodge?” Man, she sounded desperate. Totally and completely desperate. As if she could no longer take care of herself. She didn’t want to depend on Reid, but she clearly had come to need him.
“Of course I’ll be there,” he said without hesitating. “Lauren and I’ll take a circuitous route. Once we’re certain he’s not tailing us, we’ll head to the lodge.”
Megan let out a thankful sigh. What if she’d never run into Reid at the hospital? She would be dealing with Fowler all on her own. The man, as angry as a rabid dog, would’ve placed his latest demand in her car, and she would’ve found the note and been left to deal with it on her own.
A shiver started at her head and wormed its way down her body.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Reid cupped the side of her face. “Fowler asking for money is a good thing. It tells us what he’s really after.” He stroked a thumb along her jawline, and another shiver raced over her skin.
He moved closer, and the mere proximity sent a new sensation through her body. She moved away before she did or said something foolish.
He arched an eyebrow. He’d clearly noticed her evasive move. So what? It was good for him to know she was fighting her feelings for him.
“With the Bureau involved now, this will all end soon,” he said.
She reached for her phone. “I better get my accountant started on securing the cash.”
“No. Don’t.” He flashed up a hand again. “I get that you want to pay Fowler off, but giving him money isn’t the answer. He’ll only come back for more.”
How could Reid balk at this? “That’s better than what he’d do to Ella if I don’t give him anything. I’m not willing to take a chance with her life.”
