"When we sign this stuff out we want to be talking the whole time so that they forget to look up our ID numbers. One of us can just scribble a name and we can get the hell out of there." Lucy frowned. "You sure you're up for this?"
"You kidding me?" His chair thumped back to the floor. "I can con, little lady. I'm a reporter. I know how to get the goods." His eyebrows rose emphatically, making Lucy grin.
"Good to know." She squashed her smile and shot Zach a look before rising from the table and heading out to the balcony.
Zach found her a few minutes later, her arms resting against the metal ledge. The air was hot and borderline sticky. Lucy had lost the navy shirt and stood there in nothing but jean shorts and a shoe-string tank. She looked hot enough to devour, but Zach quelled the thought immediately. As nice as the distraction might be, it wouldn't get them any closer to their final goal. The last thing Lucy needed was a boyfriend pawing her suggestively. Zach could feel the tension radiating off her as she gazed at the small, lima bean shaped pool, one of the only amenities of the Dunes Inn on Wilshire Boulevard.
"How are you feeling?" He ran his hand up her back and began kneading her neck.
She let out a pleasure filled sigh and dropped her head forward to give him easier access. He moved behind her and worked her tight muscles. Her soft groans of pleasure made him feel triumphant, as did the feel of her body beneath his hands. He could picture himself doing this for years to come, which made a flash of fear skitter through him.
Tomorrow could put a very fast finish to his meandering dreams about the future.
He pinched her shoulders tight.
"Ow." She squawked.
"Sorry." He stepped back as she turned to face him.
"You okay?" She touched his chest, running her fingers over his shirt before resting them on his shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm just thinking about tomorrow." He placed his hands on her hips. "If you get caught, it's..."
"It's gonna be real bad. I know." Lucy's voice quivered.
"Are you sure you're ready for this?"
She looked away for a moment, her lips scrunching. "I'm ready for this to be over, Zach, so I guess I kind of have to be ready for tomorrow." She swallowed and turned back to him. "It is scary, but I know I have the skills to do it. Do you think your uncle can pull it off?
Zach chuckled. "Cause a distraction by flirting with someone? I think he'll do just fine."
Lucy grinned and nodded, moving her hand to his face. "Thank you for everything you're doing."
"I'm not doing anything." He scratched his head and stepped out of reach, finally acknowledging his guilt at having to sit back and wait while she and Alex drove into a lion's den.
She reached for his hand and yanked him back towards her, making sure their bodies were securely melded together before speaking. "You're doing everything I need you to do." Her gaze was sincere as she studied him. "Zach, you always know how to be everything I need. You might not be going into that warehouse with me tomorrow, but just knowing you're waiting for me on the outside is enough."
He smiled at her sweet words.
"We're potentially one day away from ending this. If that evidence can somehow prove Tenner guilty, five years of running will be over. I'm scared and I'm excited and I sort of can't believe it. But if your uncle can write some magic that will get the FBI investigating, then this risk will all be worth it. I know it's not a guarantee, but it's a chance. One that's worth taking."
"Yeah. Yeah it is." Zach tucked a tendril of dark hair behind Lucy's ear, glad that her tune had changed for the better. She seemed confident and in control, a quiet strength emanating from her. With a soft smile, he leaned forward. As their lips met, her arms snaked behind him, her fingers pressing into his back. He pulled her tight against him, wrapping her in a security she deserved and praying that their plan for tomorrow would pay off and they could once and for all set Lucy free.
Chapter 12
LUCY
My nerves felt like electrical wires sparking together as Alex drove towards the warehouse. I couldn't talk. It was nine o'clock in the morning and I hadn't been able to utter a word since getting out of bed. I'd barely slept. This was my first con in a while...and it was a big one...a hell scary one.
Zach had faith in me. I could see it in his expression when he kissed me goodbye. The way his eyes bulged when I walked out of the motel bathroom, all geared up as my persona - Agent Wilcox - told me I had pulled off the look.
"Wow." That was all he'd managed.
Alex looked pretty dashing as well as he turned the car right and led us towards the warehouse entrance.
"You remember everything?" I finally muttered.
"I'm all good, Wilcox. Just relax."
I clicked my tongue. "I should be saying that to you."
"You think you've got more experience at conning people than I do?"
"Well, yeah." I glanced at him.