Mission: Her Protection (Team 52 #1)(40)

He pulled in a breath. “You’re too good for me.”

She leaned in close. “I never want to hear you say that again.” She straightened and stole her coffee back from him. “Now, we have work to do.”

His face turned serious. “We need to find the artifact.”

She nodded. “I guess the best way to do that is to identify the people who took it.”

“True, but they’re proving elusive.”

“You don’t think it’s the Red Wolves.”

“Nope.” His hand cupped her hip and squeezed. “I’d prefer you were dressed when my team arrives.”

She rolled her eyes, but headed for the shower. By the time she’d dressed, she heard voices in the living room.

When she entered, everyone looked up from where they were sitting, giving her a smile or a wave. Smith and Axel were at the counter, while the others were sitting on the couch. Axel gave her a lazy look followed by a wink.

Rowan sighed. Why did she feel like she had a sign saying “I got laid by Lachlan all night long, and thoroughly enjoyed it” hanging over her head?

As she got closer to the couch, Lachlan grabbed her hand and tugged her down beside him. He kept talking to Blair, who was fiddling with a tablet. He slid his hand up Rowan’s arm.

She felt everyone watching, and she knew enough about Lachlan now to know the move was deliberate.

“Got the connection,” Blair said.

Brooks’ good-looking face filled Lachlan’s television screen, his glasses framing deep brown eyes. “Morning.”

“Brooks,” Lachlan said.

Today, the man’s T-shirt had a stormtrooper on it aiming a blaster and said “Stop, or I’ll shoot in your general direction.” Rowan felt a spurt of amusement.

“Rowan, glad you’re okay,” Brooks said.

“Thanks.”

Lachlan folded his arms over his chest. “Okay, update us.”

Brooks’ smile dissolved. “Seth got a few things out of the guys who tried to take Rowan.”

Rowan glanced at Seth, but his face didn’t change. He was sitting on the arm of the couch, looking relaxed, but something about him made her think of a snake, coiled and ready to strike.

“We’ve confirmed the guys in the gray vehicles were part of the Red Wolves,” Brooks said.

“I spoke to Declan Ward at Treasure Hunter Security,” Lachlan said.

“Hate those guys,” Axel muttered.

“He confirmed the Red Wolves like artifacts, generally ones attached to crazy conspiracy theories, and are usually haphazard and messy with their attacks.”

“But they don’t have the artifact,” Seth said.

Everyone froze.

Lachlan leaned forward. “They took Rowan because they’re still trying to find out about the artifact, and don’t know it’s missing.”

Brooks nodded.

“So there’s another player on the board,” Blair said.

Lachlan scowled and glanced at Rowan. “And they might still try to get to Rowan.”

God. She slumped back on the couch. “The most important thing is the artifact.”

Brooks turned to face the screen on his wall. “I’m working hard to follow the money trail of the payment Airman Kowalski received. But these guys are good, and it’s buried deep. I was in contact with Detective MacKade.”

There was a quiet snort, which Rowan thought came from Blair.

“The police searched her house, but didn’t find anything. She’s disappeared, and her husband’s distraught.”

Rowan wrapped her arms around herself. “And she has a sick daughter.”

Brooks nodded. “The police are staking out the hospital where the airman’s daughter is being treated, just in case she tries to see the girl.”

Lachlan ran a hand through his hair. He looked frustrated.

“Wait!” Brooks started tapping his tablet like mad.

“Brooks—” Lachlan began.

The man’s head jerked up. “Reports of a disturbance at the Venetian.”

Around her, the team all tensed.

“Go on,” Lachlan said.

“Nothing concrete yet,” Brooks said, “but some of the reports mention an attack. Involving ice.”

Oh, no. Rowan gasped.

Team 52 all leaped to their feet.

“Let’s go.” Lachlan ordered. “We go in undercover, weapons hidden until we need them.”

Rowan stood. “I’m coming.”

Lachlan scowled.

“You don’t want to leave her here alone,” Blair said quietly.

Lachlan bit off a curse and gripped Rowan’s arm. “You’re coming with us, but you follow my orders.”



*

When they pulled up to the Venetian, people were pouring out of the casino. The faint sound of screaming came through the windows.

Lachlan touched his ear. “Comms check.”

All his team and Brooks called in their checks. He pushed open the door, helping Rowan out of the backseat. His team moved in around him, keeping their bodies relaxed and casual.

“Keep a low profile.” They didn’t need the warning. His team knew the drill. They were used to operating under the radar, and in unique circumstances.