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“That you’re going to be in that car when it comes back.” He tilted my face up farther toward his. “Say it.”
I took a shaky breath. “I promise.” The last thing on earth I wanted was to lose Gabe. But my sister… If it came down to it, I would never leave her.
I looked at the man I loved. He was trusting me, again, to come back to him.
And I could see in his face it was against his better judgment.
“Call Levi. If he says yes to this, fine. Otherwise, go meet them now.”
Gabe went to call his brother. The phone call was brief. “He said it was okay, but I have to stay at least a mile away.”
“Did you agree?”
“I’m not happy about it, but yes.”
I wasn’t happy about it either—for a different reason—but I kept my mouth shut.
The rest of the morning passed in a slow blur. There were phone calls from Levi and Ash, maps to review, contraband weapons to pack. Fears to ignore. Finally, it was time to go. Timmy and the rest of our security team headed outside, assembling the vehicles and finalizing plans.
“Ms. Taylor.” Timmy nodded at me. “Please be safe.”
Touched, I patted his hand. “I will.” I moved closer. “Please try to keep Gabe in line.”
Good thing Timmy wore his wraparound sunglasses—he probably rolled his eyes.
I got into the driver’s seat of my sedan—an odd sensation. I could drive competently, but I’d become accustomed to having someone else behind the wheel.
Gabe closed the door for me, then leaned down. “I’ll be waiting for you. You be in that car. You come back to me.”
I grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him clos
e. “I’ll always come back to you. You have the best wine. And the best—”
“Push-button fireplaces, I know.” He smiled at me, and for a moment, the dark worry abated and his eyes sparkled with their normal warmth and humor. “Not to mention that you love me and can’t live without me.”
Our eyes locked. “I do love you.”
He cocked an eyebrow at me, clearly trying to lighten the mood for a moment. “I know. You especially love me for my body.”
“Gabe,” I hissed, looking around, “stop.”
“Fine, but you know it’s true. By the way, babe—I love you too. And not just for that hot little body of yours.” He kissed me, briefly and intensely. It made me dizzy.
When he stood back up, all the humor drained from his face. He was strictly business, pale but still incredibly gorgeous beneath his scruff. “Stick to the plan, Lauren. Get Hannah to the car, and then let Levi take care of the rest. The only reason I’ve agreed to this is because I trust my brothers. They’re the best. I trust them with your life.”
I nodded. My palms were slick with sweat against the steering wheel. “I’ll see you soon. With Hannah.”
He looked miserable. “Come back to me.”
“I will. I promise.”
Gabe nodded and took a step back, his gaze never leaving mine. I finally turned away, hating to leave him, and put the car into Drive.
Chapter 15
Lauren
Gabe, Timmy, and the rest of the security team followed close behind on the way to Oakland. There was only light traffic on the freeway. I could see Gabe’s Spyder in my rearview mirror. If Gabe followed the plan and pulled off well before the meeting point, we wouldn’t be in direct violation of Li Na’s terms. Whether that would be good enough for her, I didn’t know. But it was too late now—either way, I was about to find out.
