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“Okay, so, if we go with that as a plan, and I guess, yes, that seems as good an option as any, then I’m going to focus on the most important thing in my life right this minute.”
I steel myself for pressure over her brother. “And that would be what, Emma?”
“The pizza. What about the pizza?”
I laugh at this unexpected reply that proves that as delicate a flower as she can seem at moments, she isn’t. She rolls with the punches as I’d expect of a Knight. She is a Knight, I remind myself, but I shove aside where that thought might lead me. Hunter and I were both Norths, but we were nothing alike, which is a reality I should have remembered going into this. And Emma is nothing like her father.
“You have to pack,” I say, “but we’ll get fresh pizza delivered to the hotel.”
“A this point, we’d better order an extra pizza.”
I don’t laugh. Food is serious business that hasn’t been property attended to today. “I do believe you’re right.” I lace the fingers of one of my hands with hers and lead her to her door. Once we’re there, I press my cheek to hers and whisper, “Assume we’re being recorded. Stick to topics like how hot you think I am until we get out of here.”
She laughs, and damn if my cock doesn’t thicken in response. From a damn laugh. I’m in trouble with this woman, and if I’m wrong about her, if she’s a Knight to the core, I’m fucked in all kinds of new and unique ways.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Jax…
Once we’re inside Emma’s apartment, she hurries to her bedroom to pack. I scan the room, looking for signs of anything that might not be right. On the surface, everything appears fine but my skin is prickling, my nerves on edge. Nothing is fine about my gut feeling right now. Nothing is fine at all. It’s time to step things up on my end, and I decide my private investigator, a guy I met in college, isn’t the guy I need on this anymore. A reality he and I have discussed previously in relation to his limited resources, but that was fine then. I was just toeing the line, trying to decide how far I wanted to take this based on what we found. I’m done testing the waters. I shoot him a text: I need to take this to another level. I need someone who can do that and handle undercover security in San Francisco and Maine. And wherever the hell any of this takes me. And I need them now.
He replies right away with a name and a number: Walker Security. They’re the best of the best and a large enough operation to meet your needs now. They have a San Francisco office. Name’s Rick Savage. He goes by Savage. Just be warned. he’s a big man and a big personality.
Not a call I can make anywhere in this building. Not a call I can make with Emma present, but I don’t want to leave her alone or set her on edge. It’s also not a call I can put off. I’ll find a way and the time to get this done. I start with a text: This is Jax North. I need security and investigative work. I was referred to you by Cory Smitty, but I can’t talk on the phone right now. Can we meet tonight at my hotel?
Savage responds immediately: I live to serve you and destroy your enemies. Sure. What time can I serve you?
There’s that personality. I glance at my watch. It’s two o clock. No wonder Emma and I are both so damn hungry. I set the meeting for four in the hotel bar.
I step back into the apartment, lock the door, and head up the stairs to find Emma standing in front of a suitcase. “I have no idea what to pack for Maine. What’s the weather like? And no, I’m not saying I’m going for sure yet. I know that’s our plan, but there’s a lot of insanity going on right now. I just need to be ready if I decide I can break away from work.”
“I’m going to take you to Maine, if I have to kidnap you,” I say.
“That sounds very criminal of you.”
I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her. “I’m a criminal kind of guy, baby.” I kiss her neck and release her. “And since you’re going, pack for seventies this time of year, but it also gets chilly by the water where we’ll be. And this weekend is our Whiskey Harvest, which includes a casual and formal event.”
“Whiskey Harvest.” She frowns. “Do you harvest whiskey?”
I laugh. “No, but it’s something some marketing person came up with a decade ago and our clients love it. We always release a new whiskey and there are special edition bottles that we make only for this weekend.”
