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“No, I guess not. He said they had trouble in Kaliningrad and she didn’t make it out. And he asked me if I’d looked inside the boxes. He said his future depended on the information that was in there.”
I filled Jack in on the story my dad gave me on why they stole me and claimed me as their own, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice and just state the facts.
“He won’t stop until he has those boxes.” He was my father, at least in name, but I couldn’t help a felon and traitor pave the way for his escape. That would blur the lines too much, and I wasn’t sure Jack would ever forgive me if I did. “We need to know what’s on those flash drives.”
Jack nodded. “I haven’t told Carver any details, but he’s said he’ll help if we ask him to. If the flash drives are encrypted, he’ll be our best bet on breaking through. Carver would make an excellent criminal.”
“In my experience, most cops would.”
Jack arched a brow but didn’t refute the statement. “It worries me that your dad can find you alone so easily. He knows your schedule and who you’re with.”
“Like I said, he’stapped into what’s going on.”
“I don’t want you going anywhere alone until he’s found. Not even to a public restroom. I don’t know what his agenda is, but he can’t be trusted.”
It was my turn to arch a brow. “Since I know you love me to distraction, I’m going to pretend that’s the reason you’re giving me orders instead of asking. And I’ll make you a deal. I won’t be alone if you won’t be alone. My father is the least of our worries for now.”
Hepulled back his hands and sighed, and then he scooted out from the booth to stand. I stood up after him, refusing to be the one in the less dominant position.
“You know I can’t promise that, Jaye. If we find out enough information and we know his weakness, it would be procedure to exploit it. He wants me dead. And if I have to be bait, then it’s something I’ll do to catch this asshole and make sure he pays for what he did to those men.”
“I know that, Jack. You’re a damned hero.” It didn’t exactly come out as a compliment. “But I’m just asking you to not take unnecessary chances. We’ll cross the bait bridge if and when we get to it.”
He leaned against the island and the corner of his mouth twitched. “I was expecting more of an argument.”
“Maybe later. It’s been a long day. Besides, I worked out most of my frustration on Agent Greer.I told him we were getting married in two weeks and you’d better be there alive or there’d be hell to pay.”
It wasn’t often I caught Jack off guard, so it was nice to see the genuine shock on his face before a slow smile took over.
“Is that right?”
“Yeah. Is that okay?”
“That’s perfect.I know we talked about eloping, but even with that there’s planning involved. I suggest we pass the whole thing over to my mother to organize while we’re dealing with this.”
I shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t want a big wedding. I thought we’d just go somewhere and sign some papers. I don’t need a big ceremony or dress or anything.”
“Maybe you could wear your prom dress from junior year,” Jack said, waggling his eyebrows.
“You promised you’d never bring that dress up again.”
“Sometimes it’s hard not to. That dress is burned into my corneas for eternity.”
“It would serve you right if that’s what I showed up in.”
“And yet, I’d marry you anyway. That should say something.”
“Fine, your mother can handle whatever details need to be handled. But I’m serious about not having a big crowd of people. It would be embarrassing to show up for a wedding where everyone is sitting on the groom’s side.”
“How about my parents and our closest friends? Not more than ten or fifteen people. Very small and intimate. All you have to do is show up.”
“Deal,” I said, holding out my hand to shake onit like we were back in grade school. He took my hand and then pulled me into his embrace.
“The big kids seal it with a kiss.”
“Oh, well then—” and when his lips touched mine we were both laughing.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
