“What can I do to help her?” Lachlan whispered.
“Get proof of who she is,” Fallon said, then leaned forward. “If she is Brittany Freeman, this next part will be much harder.”
“I’ll do anything …” Lachlan said.
“You have to stay away from her. She’ll need space and therapy to remember her life,” Fallon said, her words empathetic. “Your presence would put too much pressure on her.”
Lachlan pushed away from the table. “Yeah, I’m not doing that.” Turning his back on them, he headed out of the conference room toward Britt’s suite.
Chapter 24
The door slammed as Britt gripped the dark gray metal card. A fluttery sensation of panic shot through her. She rubbed her hands against her thighs, trying to still her nervous energy. After three days of being analyzed, assessed, and evaluated by the psychologist and her team, what did she have to show for it?
She was no closer to knowing her real identity.
Dr. Fallon Abrams had meticulously explained that recovering her memories would be long and difficult, requiring her steadfast patience and commitment.
But the good doctor was wrong.
The new memories surfacing over the days of interrogation left Britt rattled and anxious.
She needed fresh air. A nice long walk through the Cabrito Mountains should settle her frazzled nerves. Britt took a deep breath, then pulled the hoodie over her head. The wide hallway stretched before her, intimidating and oddly elegant, like a five-star hotel designed by military contractors. Recessed lighting cast pools of golden warmth onto the polished concrete floors every few feet. Security cameras were mounted at regular intervals along the industrial-grade ceiling tile, their red lightsblinking in silent surveillance. She walked quickly toward the back door that led to the mountain hiking trails.
“Britt …”
Slowing, she contemplated ignoring the man behind her. But as she’d learned, every member of Stingray Security was skilled in tactical training, advanced tracking skills, and an uncanny ability to read body language. She didn’t have a shot in hell of getting away. Turning slowly, she stared at Kane Ambrose as he strode toward her with purposeful steps.
“You okay?” Kane graced her with a smile. He had a boy-next-door kind of charm that was inviting and welcoming. “I can’t imagine how hard the past few days have been for you.”
She took a deep breath and placed her hands on her hips. “It was brutal. Almost as bad as listening to details of Brittany Freeman’s life 24/7. But not quite.”
“Ouch,” Kane said, crossing his arms over his chest. “You headed out for a walk?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Lachlan’s here if you want some company?—”
“No!” Britt said, taking a step toward him. “Please don’t say anything to Lachlan about how I’m feeling. I don’t want to worry him. He has bigger priorities than me.”
“Bigger priorities?” Kane raised an eyebrow.
“His daughter.” Britt balked. “People are trying to kill me. A bodyguard with a daughter should not be assigned to help me. That’s obvious.”
“Did you talk to Lachlan about this?”
“I don’t trust myself to talk to Lachlan about anything.” Britt rolled her eyes. When she was around Lachlan, all the questions in her head disappeared. She was exactly where she was supposed to be, with him, and nothing else mattered. But it did matter. No matter how natural it felt to be in his arms and kiss him, the truth was that she had a child out there somewhere.And there might be a man in her life. Someone she loved. Maybe even her husband. She had to resist this magnetic attraction to Lachlan because she didn’t know what life she’d left behind. Distance from him was prudent. She continued, “But I plan to ask Sebastian. He’s the leader of the security team, right?”
“Something like that,” Kane said with a chuckle. “I’m sure he’ll accommodate your request, and you’ll get stuck with me.”
“Oh,” Britt said, liking the idea of getting the only other friendly bodyguard she’d seen around the compound. The rest of the men were too brooding and serious. “That would be great. Are you okay with that?”
“Sure.” Kane shrugged. “But you’ll have to tell Lachlan you want the change. None of us are going to do that for you.”
“Right, well.” Britt sighed. “I need to get out there and clear my head.”
Kane nodded, then turned and walked away.
Britt watched him disappear around the corner before pushing through the back door. The cool, briny ocean breeze caressed her skin. She inhaled the strong scent of damp earth mixed with the sweetness of blooming tropical flowers.
