Targeted

to move in on his territory.

“He clearly had her call in to work, so he wants the world to think she’s just sick, not missing. He might think he has a bargaining chip with her and we need to let him think that. Either way, it changes nothing.”

A bargaining chip. Sophie felt sick to her stomach.

Jack started to say more when his phone buzzed. “Yeah?”

The conversation was one-sided, but after some smooth talking, Jack convinced her boss to meet some people with the NSA. Worry for her friend ate at her, but she knew it wouldn’t do Hannah or her any good to freak out right now.

“Set up a table for when I get back. I don’t want anyone else touching the recording devices,” Wesley said before turning on his heel and heading back across the open floor.

“You could have gone, Jack.” Sophie wrapped her arms around herself.

“I’m not leaving you.” He reached out a hand and cupped her cheek, his thumb gently stroking her skin. She almost pulled away, but there was something vulnerable in his gaze that stopped her. She was so damn angry he’d lied to her, that feeling battling with the worry inside her, and she wasn’t sure what to do. Finally he cleared his throat and dropped his hand. “Come on, I want to get the audio equipment ready by the time they get back.”

Sophie fell into step with Jack, thankful he’d kept his word. He’d said he wouldn’t leave her, but she hadn’t been sure if she’d truly believed him until this moment. She wasn’t sure what it meant, though. He’d lied to her about Hannah and while she understood, it pissed her off beyond belief. She’d been handling everything pretty well and she hated that he’d kept that knowledge from her. She didn’t need him to think for her or make her decisions.

•   •   •

He watched the interaction between Jack Stone and the Moreno woman. That had certainly been interesting.

Jack was more or less a legend in the agency, a man who killed with no compunction. No one but Wesley really knew him. For all he’d heard about Jack—and it wasn’t much—he’d never imagined the man had a soft spot. But seeing the way he’d just comforted the Moreno woman—there was definitely something going on between them. The sexual tension was practically tangible. And he couldn’t believe he was the man who’d been working with the Moreno woman. Now that he actually had intel for Vargas, he couldn’t tell him that the mystery man wasn’t someone trying to take over Keane’s operation, but one of the NSA’s own. Wesley had certainly kept this operation close to the vest.

So far he hadn’t been able to contact Miguel. Wesley was taking security to a new level and ruining all his plans. Everything they did was being monitored by their Georgia office. And there was no way in hell he could get his hands on a cell phone now. He wouldn’t even try.

He was more than a decent hacker, but there was only so much he could do under these circumstances. If only he’d left town a few days ago. He wouldn’t have had as much money, but he’d still be free. He wanted to kick his own ass for not following his instinct and leaving when there wasn’t a chance he’d be tracked right away. If he tried to leave now, Wesley would know something was off and it would be damn near impossible to get out of the country. His boss would spare no expense hunting him down if he knew he was dirty.

The NSA would plug his picture into all the facial recognition programs around the country. And even if he somehow managed to make it through an airport undetected, he didn’t have any of his fake passports or near enough funds to live the way he wanted. The way he deserved.

As Stone and the Moreno woman walked in his general direction, he turned his back to them and started setting up one of the laptops. He couldn’t afford to be caught staring. Getting Sophie Moreno alone would be tricky, but when the time was right, he wouldn’t waste an opportunity.

Hell, maybe he wouldn’t have to use her at all. He really hoped he wouldn’t need her, but if by some chance Miguel was captured alive, he knew the drug lord would turn him over with little incentive. If Wesley had to make a deal with Vargas or him, he knew his boss would choose to deal with Vargas. The man was a criminal and he didn’t hide what he was.

He’d worked with Wesley long enough to know that no matter how much information he offered up, they’d never offer him immunity if Vargas was offering the same intel. He was considered a traitor, and for that, Wesley would turn his back on him. The best he could hope for would be life in maximum-security prison. And that was if they were feeling generous. If not, he’d get the death penalty for treason. Which was more likely.

That was why it always paid to have a backup plan.

•   •   •

Jack carefully laid out a listening device one of the analysts had given him on the six-foot fold-out table. Sophie sat next to him, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

As he inspected the device, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He frowned when he saw the number. “Yeah?”

“I think I’m being followed,” Ronald whispered.

Jack massaged his temple. He’d given the man simple instructions. “Where are you?”

“A couple blocks from the restaurant you told me to go to. On Ocean Drive.”

“Walking?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. At the next intersection, cross the street and pay attention to anyone who follows you.”

A horn blared in the background. “I’m across but I don’t know if anyone followed me.”

“Turn back in the opposite direction from the restaurant.”

“Why?”

Jack contained his frustration. “Just do it.”

“Okay.”

“Is there anyone across the street mirroring you?”

“Not that I can tell, but a green sedan just made a U-turn.”

“Good, that means your tail is driving. What kinds of stores are you near?”

“There’s a deli, a photo shop, a touristy—”

“Go into the deli. It’ll buy you more time.”

“I’m inside. Now what?”

“Look for a back exit.” Restaurants had to take out the trash multiple times during the day, making it less likely that an alarm was on the back door. Jack could hear people talking in the background, and so far it sounded as though Ronald was handling things relatively well. When everything went silent, Jack guessed the other man had made it.

“I’m outside now.”

“Head back in the direction of the restaurant, but stay on the street you’re on now. Do not go back to Ocean Drive. I’m going to put in a call to our guys. They’ll meet you out back.”

“Okay.”

“Problems?” Sophie asked, her tone distant as he disconnected.

Normally he loved the thrill of a new job, but he simply wanted this one to be over. Then maybe he and Sophie could hole up somewhere for a couple of weeks and do nothing but have sex. That was of course if she forgave him for lying about her friend. But if her friend actually died—fuck, he couldn’t even think like that. He had to take care of one problem at a time. “I don’t think so.”

“Jack? This may not be the best time, but where do you live exactly?”

“What?” He wasn’t sure what to make of the random question, and her expression gave away nothing.

“When you’re not working.”

“I don’t have a home.” It had never felt weird before, but not having any roots was beyond depressing. Nothing and no one had ever grounded him before—except Sophie. He was constantly working, constantly on the move, but right now he desperately wished he had a place to call home. Someplace to take Sophie to. And not on a temporary basis. The more he thought about that, the less it scared him. Hell, the thought of her walking out of his life was more terrifying than anything.

“Oh.” She frowned, then glanced around the expansive room, avoiding his gaze.

Jack struggled for a response but knew he’d have to wait until tonight when they’d be able to talk more in-