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“Guess we’re going on a trip.” She tried to force a smile.
“Are you going to be okay?”
“Do I have a choice?”
Mark sighed and cupped her cheek. “I guess not, but I’m going to do everything I can to get you through this. You’re not alone. Not anymore.”
She couldn’t stop herself from leaning her cheek into his hand. “Thank you.”
He stepped forward, pulling her to him and enveloping her in all his warmth. “You can do this. Right now, let’s focus on getting everything we need together. One step at a time. Focus only on the step immediately in front of you.”
She latched on to his words as he pulled away, kissing her forehead. She made herself move as they both dressed, and she set coffee on to brew. She packed up her two best computers for this type of job while Mark made them a small breakfast.
Each bite was torture, tasting like sawdust in her mouth, but she forced herself to. Her blood sugar bottoming out wouldn’t do anything but make everything harder.
“Ready?” He grabbed both their bags.
She shook her head. “Not really. But let’s go.”
She didn’t open the garage door to the outside until both car doors were shut. Mark had already been inside her SUV, but she noted the way he looked at it now, with a touch of awe.
“This thing really is impressive,” he said.
“Thanks.”
“I’m guessing the tech isn’t the only bells and whistles?”
She allowed herself a smile, even through her tension. “That would be an understatement, but yes. A lot of custom security upgrades.”
“Ditch the Fortune 500s,” he said with a chuckle. “You could consult with the military and private security on vehicles like this.”
“I’ve thought about it and have been approached more than once. But consulting on something like that would mean the specs are out there. You and I both know data like that isn’t always safe. And if the specs are out there—”
“It could put you at risk,” he finished. “I get it. Maybe once this danger has passed, you and I could work on something different. Something that’s separate from your own security. Trust me, a lot of people would pay for these kinds of plans, and it would make the lives of people like me a lot easier.”
People like him. Bodyguards for high-value targets.
Jenna swallowed. Here Mark was, guarding her even though he hadn’t been ordered to. All her security was for her own peace of mind. She knew it was overkill in order to make her own mind feel safe.
Did Mark consider her to be a high-value target?
“In case I haven’t said it, which I’m pretty sure I haven’t…thank you for being here. For helping me. For putting up with me being a nutcase. I don’t even know if you’re getting paid—”
He reached over and grabbed her hand as she pulled out of the driveway and turned toward the airport. “Hey, you’re not the only one who has a pretty nice nest egg. I could comfortably retire any time I wanted to. So let’s not worry about getting paid. Let’s worry about stopping Joaquin.”
Jenna nodded but didn’t say anything. She needed to focus on the road and keeping her panic at bay. She was already familiar with the regional airport they were driving to and knew she’d be able to pull her car all the way into the hangar then board the plane. The hangar was still an open structure, but it was a lot better than being fully outside and walking from a parking lot.
True to Ian’s word, the plane was there and ready to go. She started to pull the SUV over to the side of the hangar where it could remain out of the way until they returned, and Mark held out a hand. “Let me.” She looked over at him, and he smiled. “Just like the Eagle’s Nest. Pull up close and go on board. I’ll move the car out of the way and grab the bags.”
She tightened her hands on the steering wheel, her relief at not having to fully face her fear warring with her need not to rely on anyone. Relief won out. She killed the engine. “Thank you.”
He said nothing as she pushed out of the SUV and quickly walked around the hood and up on to the plane. A woman met her inside. “Miss Franklin.”
“Hi.”
She nodded. “My name is Lyra. If you or Mr. Outlawson need anything, just let me know.”
“I will, thank you.”
