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A little hum of pleasure vibrated against his chest. Even in sleep she heard him. Felt him. Knew he was there to watch over her. He would make damned certain he was always there to watch over her from now on.
The unit be damned. He wasn’t losing her again.
CHAPTER 18
NOTHING HAD EVER BEEN harder for Bailey than putting on a good face and accepting the horrific decision she’d been forced to make with Wagner.
To hear that he had packed up and returned to his own home was a welcome bit of information for her. She didn’t know if she could have borne facing him each day with the knowledge between them that she had betrayed not just Anna, but also her own parents.
Two days after Wagner had left the Greer cabin, Bailey stepped from the bathroom, dressed for another boring day of socializing. She couldn’t believe there was actually another virtual fashion show planned for that afternoon. Of course, today it was evening dresses, she assured herself mockingly.
“How one woman can make a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt look fashionable, I haven’t decided yet.” John was leaning against the heavy post at the end of the bed, buttoning his shirt while regarding her with an amused smile.
“It’s a talent.” She adjusted the hem of her olive-green FORGET THE DOG, IT’S THE WOMAN YOU NEED TO WATCH T-shirt over the band of her matching sweatpants.
Pulling a pair of socks from the dresser, she sat in the chair next to it and pulled on the dark green socks that matched her sweats and T-shirt. She pulled white sneakers from beneath the chair and laced them up before standing and pulling her hair into a low ponytail.
“I saw several of the other women downstairs earlier,” he mentioned. “It seems silk slacks and blouses are the ‘in’ thing today.”
She paused and stared back at him through the mirror. “Are you counseling me on my clothing choices, John?” She arched a brow and stared back at him haughtily. “Do I really come across as a silk-on-silk girl to you?”
“If the situation warrants it,” he murmured.
“And you think the situation warrants it?” she queried a bit sarcastically.
He paused, his lips pursing as he stared back at her. A grin tilted the luscious curves of his lips. “Perhaps not.”
“Good man.” She nodded decisively as she gave her appearance one last check to ensure it conveyed the proper amount of disrespect toward the day’s events.
He shook his head, finished tucking his shirt into his silk pants and adjusting his belt. He wore his cell phone in a case at his hip, a backup weapon in a holster at his ankle.
Moving to the walk-in closet, Bailey pulled a sheathed knife from under a stack of sweaters, pulled up the loose leg of her sweats, and secured it to her leg.
That was the best she could do. There was no way she could get away with carrying a gun herself. She and John had agreed on that. To create the impression they were looking for, they had to show that she relied on John for the muscle, and the guns. Ladies didn’t carry a gun in polite society, she mocked to herself.
As she stepped back into the room, a firm knock sounded at the door.
John stiffened as the door to the connecting room opened and Travis Caine suddenly entered. When the hell had he arrived?
John waved him back.
Travis stepped back into the other room, almost closing the door as John moved to the exit to answer the knock.
“Raymond.” He stepped back as Bailey steeled herself to face the other man.
“John, I hope you’re doing well this morning.” Raymond’s smile was quick as he held out his hand.
“Excellent, Raymond.” John nodded as they shook hands.
Bailey felt like rolling her eyes. Just what she needed, pleasantries from a killer.
“Bailey, you’re looking refreshingly casual today.” Raymond of course looked down his nose at her.
Bailey smiled brightly. “I thought so.”
Raymond shook his head at her, his lips appearing to almost twitch. “You don’t conform well, do you, my dear?”
“Is conformity required?” she asked as she moved beside John. His arm instantly wrapped around her waist as he pulled her to him. “I was unaware of that.”
