Page 6 of Under Fire in Big Sky

The twenty-something-year-old woman had joined them a few minutes ago and was leading the way to Salon D. Clutching her thick zippered portfolio to her chest like it was a lifeline, Audrey Carter came over at a clipped pace. In a pantsuit and wearing comfortable loafers with a radio clipped on her hip, the woman looked bright-eyed and ready to handle anything.

“The gala is going to be held here, Ms. Lane.” Dempsey strolled inside, and they all followed him, except for Whitney’s two bodyguards, who stayed in the corridor. “We’re using salons A through C for the event.”

Gray wainscoting. High ceilings. Massive windows with mountain views. No doubt, good soundproofing. Ideal for a lavish affair. “How many people are you expecting?”

Dempsey stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Two hundred.”

“We’ve got people flying in from all over for this,” Whitney said. “Even the governor is coming. I’d feel better if you wrapped this up in thirty-six hours. Aren’t there two of you?” The silver-haired businessman turned to the manager. “Isn’t that what you told me, Don?”

“That’s my understanding, but I’ve yet to meet her associate.”

Audrey’s gaze bounced between the two men and landed on Olivia. The blonde was quiet. Observant. Taking everything in.

“Lauren told me she was sending one agent,” Whitney said, referring to Olivia’s boss, Lauren Hahn. “Her very best. Not that I’m complaining she sent two.”

Olivia’s one condition for taking the short-notice assignment was bringing in Eli. Something about the NDR targeting the hotel made Olivia uneasy. They usually went after the logging industry, car dealerships, and chain stores. This was a different kind of target and the first time they’d announced their intentions to strike in advance.

Any change in a terrorist group’s modus operandi spelled serious trouble. Combined with the fact there were hundreds of employees to screen, any of whom could be a member of the NDR or a sympathizer, she needed someone she could trust to have her back.

There was only one person. E.

After Sean was killed, she couldn’t stomach partnering up with another agent. He had been more than a colleague who’d recruited her for Aegis. Sean was the big brother she never had. His death weighed on her every day.

Getting Eli wrapped up in this wasn’t an easy choice. She couldn’t bear having Eli’s blood on her hands. To fail him the way she did Sean.

Toothless pandas.

It’ll be fine.

Despite how much she tried reassuring herself, the same

niggling concern flared, making her shoulder blades hitch.

“Shouldn’t it expedite things with two of you?” Dempsey asked.

Olivia flicked a glance at Blondie. “Perhaps we should continue this conversation in private, gentlemen, after I’ve had a chance to speak with some of the staff.”

Dempsey followed Olivia’s gaze to his assistant. “Don’t need to worry about Audrey. She’s fully aware of everything.”

Stiffening, Olivia swallowed a sigh. Civilians. They didn’t understand how crucial operational security was for this kind of mission. Dempsey had compromised it along with her cover. “Ms. Hahn gave strict instructions my company’s involvement was to be kept secret from nonessential personnel.”

“Audrey is essential,” Dempsey said. “Besides, everyone knows we received a suspicious package. The New Dawn Revolution sent their little typed threat to the front desk in a big white box with a big red handprint on it. No keeping that quiet.”

The police ran it for fingerprints and turned up nothing.

Dempsey flushed. “It’s not as if we advertised that an Aegis agent was coming to investigate and find the folks in cahoots with these left-wing radicals.”

That was precisely what he’d done.

Concern wormed into her chest. Drawing in a deep breath against the tightening sensation across her sternum, Olivia strained to keep her composure.

No need to poke any bears, the NDR already knew she was there. She doubted they were going to concede defeat and abort their plans. Why should they? She was the one exposed and vulnerable. “May I be frank?”

“Yes,” Whitney said. “I’d prefer it.”

“I highly recommend you cancel the grand opening,” Olivia said. The one advantage they had and needed was gone.

Whitney stared at her like she’d sprouted a second head. “You can’t be serious.”