The reality only headquarters and Gregory knew his location weighed heavily on his thoughts. And Helena, he corrected.
Her call might’ve put him in jeopardy.
Her phone could be hacked.
Damn.
That was exactly why he didn’t want her anywhere near this case.
“Someone’s here,” he whispered to Lauren.
Chapter 11
Lauren fumbled for her jeans and t-shirt, her heart racing as Jaden disappeared down the hall. She located a bra, which was a little too small but would do, quickly dressed, and crouched low on the side of the bed.
Tension braided her nerves. Jaden had already proven he was more than competent at his job, but if something happened to him she’d be alone with whomever or whatever lurked on the other side of that wall.
Had she really become dependent on him this quickly? Granted, he had saved her life more times than she could count in the short time she’d known him. Even so, it wouldn’t do any good to get too comfortable in the feeling Jaden would always be there to save her.
He was a professional. This was his job. As soon as this was over, he’d be gone.
Where would that leave her? Heartbroken? The admission startled her. She was allowing herself to get carried away with a man she shouldn’t trust.
Besides, if anything happened to her where would that leave Max?
“We have to move. Now.” His tone was hushed but clear as he rounded the side of bed.
A wave of relief washed over her at seeing him again.
“I heard noises,” she said, swallowing hard. “Is it the guys from the beach?”
His hand closed on hers protectively as he led her into the bathroom where they both slipped behind the door.
She clamped down the urge to ask about Gregory. Was he out there, too?
The voices in the next room might be low, but they could have been standing over Lauren shouting for the effect they had. Her stomach free-fell to her toes when she heard those terse South American accents. There were at least two. One was familiar. She recognized it from the phone call the other day.
Another one of them was getting closer.
Jaden held up a steadying hand meant to calm her.
In his other hand, metal glinted. She couldn’t make it out, but prayed it was something useful, like his gun.
The sound of wet shoe clamping against the white tile floor echoed down the hall.
Other than that, everything was quiet.
Eerily quiet.
Lauren feared her heart beat so loudly those jerks would hear it and she and Jaden would be caught.
An intruder poked his head into the bathroom.
In a sweeping fluid motion, Jaden pulled the guy inside and knocked him unconscious with a powerful jab. Whatever he had in his hand was blunt enough to knock a grown man out cold.
Lauren gasped despite herself.
As Jaden dragged him into the tub, Lauren saw he wore jeans, tennis shoes, and a white shirt. Jaden pulled out his cell, snapped a pic of the guy’s face, and hit Send. Before she could blink, his phone was back in his pocket, and his attention was on the door.
Quick footsteps pressed the tile. The second prowler must’ve heard her.
Jaden slid behind the shower curtain as assailant number two rounded the corner and faced Lauren.
He was tall and muscular. She had to look up to see his face. Lightning flashed. Black, beady eyes stared at her. His wicked half grin said he didn’t mind them being alone. An icy chill ran down her spine.
The floral shower curtain must’ve shielded his buddy and Jaden from view. Beady Eyes holstered his gun and made a move toward Lauren.
The power surged, and lights blinked on.
Beady Eyes’ expression tensed as Jaden appeared from behind the curtain, gun drawn and pointed directly at a spot on the Latino’s forehead. His facial expression changed from triumph to panic. His pupils dilated from fear. His hands came up in surrender. “I’m not here to make trouble.”
“Too late for that,” Jaden said.
Lauren fought the urge to panic. “I recognize his voice. He’s one of the men who hurt my brother,” she said, still stunned, her own voice thin and scared. “It’s him.”
“You better start talking faster than a preacher on collection plate Sunday,” Jaden said.
“I won’t tell you jack shit,” the man said.
Jaden’s finger twitched on the trigger mechanism. “You want to do this the hard way? Fine. Hands against the wall.”
Beady Eyes hesitated.
“If you think you can pull that gun from your holster before I can squeeze this trigger, go for it.” Jaden’s tone left no room for doubt.
A look of resignation crossed his features. He placed his hands against the wall.
Lauren took a step back into the tub and plastered her back against the wall, hoping it would hold her upright. The palpable smell of blood made her knees weak. Her stomach dry-heaved. “Where’s Gregory?”
Jaden shook his head.
“Get a gun,” he said to Lauren, cocking his head toward the crumpled guy at her feet.
Her heartbeat kicked up another notch, pounding painfully in her chest. She had no idea what to do with a weapon. Her gaze shifted from Beady Eyes to the man at her feet. Jaden needed her help. Never mind that she was fighting the urge to faint. These men hurt Max, and would kill her if they had the chance. She held her breath, bent over, and fumbled around for a weapon.
“Good job,” Jaden said to Lauren as she palmed a gun with a shaky hand and pointed it at Beady Eyes.
“If he so much as flinches, shoot.”
Could she kill a man? Even this man? A man who’d beaten her brother? Possibly killed him? Anger rose in her throat burning a hot trail. She said a little prayer it wouldn’t come to that.
Jaden disarmed Beady Eyes, and then thrust his arms behind his back.
“Who was responsible for what happened on the beach? Where’s Max?” The anger in his voice startled Lauren. Then
