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Or maybe more noise.
His gut clenched with a need he’d never experienced on the job before, and he encountered a lot of beautiful women in his travels. Many of them threw themselves at him too, but he never cared to jump at the chance.
If he stood here much longer with her, staring into those warm eyes like two pools of melted chocolate, there was no telling what he’d do.
He released her arm. “Let’s get this over with.”So I can get you safely back to your condo and your cat.
And strip that silky green robe off you.
Holding back a groan, he led her across the street to the café. He’d purposely arrived forty-five minutes early so there would be little chance The Broker would be there first and see Jace with her. He’d also taken measures to alter his appearance. Since he didn’t have luggage with him, and only owned a spare set of clothes, he’d hit up the lost and found box in the corner of the laundry room in Bronte’s building.
He managed to grab a plaid shirt and a ball cap so he looked less like a WEST bodyguard and more like an average guy grabbing a drink after work.
When they reached the tables, she took a seat. He positioned himself only two steps away if he needed to reach her fast. While he had eyes on Bronte, The Broker’s back would face him.
A server came over right away to take her drink order. She nervously asked for a water. But seeing how her knee bounced under the table and her eyes darted around, Jace thought she could use something a little stronger to take the edge off.
When the server asked what he wanted, he ordered a sweet tea for himself and an Irish coffee “for the lady at that table.” Maybe the splash of alcohol would help her nerves.
He zeroed in on her hands and saw her fiddling with the chunky rings she wore, spinning them around and around her slender fingers.
If she wasn’t his ward and he wasn’t on the job, this might be nice. Sitting outdoors with the scent of good food filling his nose and staring at a beautiful woman.
What was the matter with him? Did he need more mental arguments with Ross?
His attention shifted when the server returned with a tray of drinks. He set the water before Bronte, followed by the coffee Jace ordered her. The server said something to her and her eyes flicked up at Jace.
Then the server took something else off the tray and held it out to her. A phone.
Alarm hit her eyes, letting him know he’d have to walk her through this. Jace leaped out of his seat and bounded the few steps to her table.
“What’s this about?” he demanded of the server, aware he’d blown his cover.
Or been drawn out.
The server’s eyes widened. “I’m only doing what I was told. Someone told me to deliver this phone to the table outside.”
“Shit!” Jace burst out as Bronte paled. Seeing he needed this person to move away as fast as possible, he reached into his pocket and pulled out some bills. He pressed them into the server’s hand. “Thanks.”
Jace glanced around. Nobody was in the vicinity, and he could see straight through the restaurant windows. Only an older couple at one table.
Safe for the moment.
Bronte stared at the phone with sheer terror on her face.
He snatched the burner phone and tapped a button to bring up the screen. Front and center was a notification.
“A call’s coming in.” He gritted his teeth and put it on speakerphone.
A male voice sounded. “Miss Burns?”
“Uhh…yes. It’s Bronte Burns.”
Jace pointed at his chest and mouthed:Introduce me.
“And my fiancé is here with me as well.”
“I see. Well, I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the meeting. But you know how business is.”
