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“Rick, no,” she objects, pressing on my shoulders. “Not here.”
I already have my fingers around her panties, and a yank and a gasp later, I say, “Yes. Here.”
I settle my hand over Candace’s hand on her leg and when our eyes catch, our stares cutting through the shadows, I say, “Do you know how many times I’ve replayed the moment you trembled against my tongue and in my hands that night?”
She blushes and I catch her face in my hand. “I’ve relived every moment of that night, including you agreeing to marry me when we got home, a million times. It was one of the nights that I remembered when I needed hope, when I was tempted to do something so damn stupid, I knew I’d die. Because I wanted to come back to you. I need you to believe that.”
She covers my hand with hers. “Rick,” she whispers, right as there’s a thundering knock on the window that makes her jolt.
“Damn Asher,” I murmur, the coded knock telling me it’s him.
“Are you sure it’s him?” Candace asks urgently, catching my arm.
“Completely.” And with our moment lost, I move on to the business we need behind us. “Let’s go get Gordan out of there.” I kiss her and release her, opening my door as I do. Once I’m outside, I find Asher waiting on me and Adam towering over the car on the opposite side, opening the door for Candace. “Who’s watching the house?” I ask.
“Derek and Nelson,” Adam says, he and Candace heading in our direction. “They both work out of the Dallas office,” he says, as we form a small circle on this side of the Porsche, Candace by my side where she belongs. Where I’m keeping her.
I don’t know either man he’s named personally, but I don’t question their skill. Walker Security doesn’t hire lightweights. Misfits, yes. Lightweights, no. “What’s the plan?” Adam asks. “Because right now, it’s to corner him when he goes to his car. Talk to him. Bring him to our hotel where he’ll be safe. I take it that’s all changed?”
Candace hugs herself, and I know her. It’s a sign that she’s nervous. “I’d like to think he’ll talk to us once he knows his life is on the line,” she offers, “but if he’s sworn to top-secret status, he may not. I need to ask him questions when it’s just me and him before he knows his life is on the line. I’ll see if he wants to have a drink and when we’re chatting, seek answers.”
“It’s a good plan,” Asher says, hands on his hips. “But I’ve been thinking about this. The one risk we face is someone seeing you two together, and deciding whatever he is going to tell you, is a problem. That might be when they decide to take him out.”
“He’s right, Candy baby,” I say, turning to her, hands on her shoulders. “It’s too risky.”
“I have some of the most elite soldiers in the world standing here with me,” she reminds me, catching my arms. “And we’ve all agreed that I’m not in danger. Not right now. He is, though, and we need answers he might offer before he can’t offer them anymore.” Her lips thin. “Before he’s dead, too,” she offers tightly.
“That’s the point,” Asher comments. “You and Gordan together could trigger a hit on Gordan.”
“It’s crowded,” Adam says. “The risk is when they leave the building or when he leaves the building.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Candace says. “And then I’ll get him to a bathroom to wait on an escort out of the building.”
“Not the bathroom,” I say, mentally deciding that she’s right. She’s safe. For now, but also planning my actions, to ensure her safety. “Keep him in the crowd,” I continue. “If he goes to the bathroom, one of us will follow, but try to keep him in the public space.”
“Okay,” she agrees. “What about questions? What do we need to know the most?” She turns and faces the team again. “I figured I’d tell him that I’m worried about my father and that I need him to confirm that he’s alive and well, but why am I worried? What’s my story?”
“Be honest,” I say. “Tell him that your father’s top-secret program is going south. People are dying. See how he reacts.”
“And if he asks how I know all of this?” she asks.
“You were sent an anonymous warning,” Asher suggests, looking at me for confirmation.
I nod in agreement and a thought that should have been obvious hits me and has me turning Candace toward me again. “Gordan’s alive. Last I heard, Max Murphy is alive. He and I are the only ones who aren’t still working for Tag who are alive, which means—”
“Either of them could be working for Tag,” she supplies.
“Not Max. No chance in hell. But Gordan? Yes. That’s right. If he is, he’ll already know where you are, and where I am. He’ll try to run. Whatever the case, I’ll be right there, ready to act.”
