He nodded. “Read on.”
If you have any information about Ian Rasmussen or his whereabouts, please contact the Investigator at 312-555-1234.
Jake continued. “Every hour or so, Ronald will have a scripted conversation with his editor in which one of them will reveal the location of the cabin. The second the phone line is tapped, Waite will get an alarm. At that point, we’ll know Rasmussen is on his way.”
“You’re counting on something that may not happen.”
“You’re forgetting I saw Rasmussen’s psychological profile. He’s got an obsessive personality. Believe me, he’ll bite on this.”
“And if he’s in Canada, like you said he might be?”
Jake’s eyes glittered with an unsettling emotion she couldn’t quite identify. “There’s no way he’s not going to go after you. He’s too driven by jealousy and hatred.”
That wasn’t what Leigh wanted to hear.
“I hate this,” she said, so tired of being afraid.
“So do I, but it’s our best bet. And remember, I’m not going to be alone. Rick Monteith is going to meet me here. He’s going to bring a second agent here to stay with you. Unofficially.”
Unofficially meant the two men were working without the blessing of the MIDNIGHT Agency. “Why can’t you call the agency and get them involved?”
Jake’s jaw flexed. “I walked away from the agency, Leigh.”
“You’re a good agent, Jake. The best, in fact. You know Sean Cutter will take you back.”
“Cutter thinks I’m a loose cannon. He’d never condone this. If I try to do this officially, I lose control of the operation.” His gaze burned into hers. “I’m not going to give control to someone else. Not when your life is at stake.”
Leigh couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible was going to happen. “I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Rasmussen is a bad man. Comes with the territory.”
“It’s not too late to call it off.”
He shook his head. “Sooner or later he’ll find you, Leigh. I can’t let that happen.”
“So you’re going to risk your own life?”
“You did it for me six years ago.”
“That was different.”
“He could have found the wire. If he had, we both know he would have killed you.”
Shivering, Leigh turned away from him. “I know this sounds crazy, but in his own twisted way, Rasmussen cared for me. But he hates you, Jake.”
“I can handle Rasmussen.”
She spun to face him. “He’ll kill you. I can’t bear the thought, Jake. I can’t let you do this.”
JAKE HATED SEEING HER so afraid. But he had to do this. This was their only chance of stopping Rasmussen. “If we let Rasmussen get away, both of us will be looking over our shoulders for the rest of our lives.”
“So we go into hiding.”
He grasped her arms. “He’ll find you, Leigh. He’ll kill you. He’ll kill your friends and family and anyone else who gets in his way. I don’t like it any more than you do, but I’m going to do this.”
She stared at him, her eyes wide. He could feel her trembling and he hated it. But to give up now would mean she would have to be afraid for the rest of her life. She would be in danger the rest of her life. He knew Rasmussen would eventually find her and win.
The nightmare he’d had the night before drifted through his mind. He had to protect her, even if it meant putting himself on the line to do it.
He didn’t intend to kiss her, but one minute he was looking into her frightened eyes, the next, his mouth was on hers and all he could think about was how good she felt against him.
She melted in his arms. He marveled in the feel of her body against his. The softness of her curves. The sweet scent of her hair against his cheek. The heady taste of her mouth. The electrical current of arousal burning hot in his veins.
Blood pounded in his groin. They’d made love twice the night before, but already he was hard and wanting her again. His need for her was insane. With the feel of her body branded into his mind, he knew he would never get enough.
Backing her against the counter, he kissed her long and hard and deep. Her arms went around his shoulders. He loosened the knot of her robe and slipped his hands inside reveling in the warm softness of her skin. He brushed his fingertips against the hardened peaks of her nipples, and she shuddered in response.
In the back of his mind he heard a low humming, but he was too intent on kissing Leigh to pay much attention.
A hard knock at the door sent his hand to the pistol at the small of his back. He scrambled away, put his finger to his lips. “Go to the bedroom and wait for me,” he whispered.
“Be careful,” she whispered and slipped from the room.
Jake went to the door and checked the peephole. He swung open the door, his gaze skimming over Rick Monteith and landing on Mike Madrid.
“What the hell is he doing here?” he asked, referring to Madrid.