Witness Pursuit (Bodyguards #1)

She set her hands on her hips. “Ah, is that to keep me in, or others out?”


“Both.” He dumped her bag beside his drawers and unzipped it. “What did Saria say?”

“We had a long talk, and she said yes. She’ll let me go through re-identification first, and follow as soon as she sits her finals. They’re in just a few weeks.” She stepped up to him. “Ben will place my application tomorrow, although he said it might take a few days for all the arrangements to be made. He told me to hold tight and wait.”

Gritting his teeth, he opened his bottom drawer and piled her clothing in. “He approved of it all, this fast?” He’d have words with Ben. She should be with him.

“Of course. It was his idea to start with.” She gripped his arm. “I never said I’d move in with you, and now you’re unpacking for me?”

“Lee.” He dragged her into his arms. “I want you here, no matter the length of time.” He lifted her and laid her on his bed. Stealthily, he moved in to lie over top.

“I know you do. Oh, do you feel that? The ship’s moving.” Cranking her head to the side, she peered out the windows where the lights of the resort flickered.

“We’re sailing to the far side of the island. There’s a quiet cove, and it’ll be the safest place for you.”

“I hadn’t forgotten.” She slid her hand down his chest and played her fingers over the ridges of his abs under his shirt. “As long as we’re all safe, I can deal with it, for a short while.”

He lowered his forehead to hers. “Since you insist on going through re-identification, I need to be able to track you once you go under. I’m giving you fair warning now.”

“Ah, excuse me. That sounds highly illegal. The whole point of re-identification is so no one can find me.”

“Yes, but I’m not a threat to you, and only you and I will know what I’ve done.”

“And what will that be? Ex-act-ly?”

“By track, I mean I’ll place under your skin a very small tagged chip. It’s like a GPS system, but it’ll have a direct signal to me.”

“And…” Her gaze narrowed.

He rubbed his cheek against hers. “I’ll be able to check in with you, no matter where you are in the world. We can hardly have an exclusive relationship without there being some form of relationship.”

“Sooo, you’re asking me to go against the rules of re-identification?” She gave him a look that said she wasn’t going to agree.

“You’re very stubborn, but I happen to be twice as bad. Whether you agree or not, I’m going ahead with it.”

“Hmm, and how do you propose to source this chip and then imbed it?”

“Bodyguards use tag and trackers when necessary, so I’m more than familiar with them. The device I’m speaking of can be ordered and delivered to the resort.”

“And the imbedding part?” Her gaze was sharp, incredibly watchful.

“I won’t lose you, and I’ll be careful. It’ll be a small spot near your hip, with one or two butterfly stitches to hold it until it heals.” He pushed off the bed and drew her to her feet. “Which means I need to use the sat phone and place an order to the American firm I’ve used in the past. We’re in the middle of the back-waters of the South Pacific, and I want that package pronto.”

“You do realize I’m not going to agree to this, right?”

“I’ll bring you around.” He kissed her on the lips.

No one would take her from him. Not ever again.

He’d make certain of it.





9




Tyler was impatient, pacing the pristine white sand of the curved cove after finally receiving notification his courier package had been delivered to the resort.

He should have had it forty-eight hours ago. Five days they’d been here. It was unacceptable he’d had to wait so long.

For miles either side, the land was all high, jagged cliff faces with only one single track leading inland through the jungle. Near the beginning of the track, Liam had slung a colorful hammock and rested, his straw hat drawn low over his head as he rocked in the gentle breeze.

He raised a hand and saluted to Brigs as he finished his swim. With the package ready to pick up, he had to go.

“What’s up?” Lydia glanced sideways at him as she rose from helping Nico collect a bucketful of shells for their latest sandcastle. She walked toward him with her purple string bikini peeking through the white cotton of one of his long, white shirts.

Tapping the sat phone in his hand, he said, “If I leave now, I’ll be back within the hour, with the you know what.” He dragged her against him and her silky hair slipped over his arms.

“You’re still serious about this?” She wrapped her arms around his waist.

“More than ever. It’ll be painless.”

“I doubt that.”

“I promise to make it up to you afterward.” He nuzzled her neck, aiming to sway with seduction. “So, is that a yes?”