A Cold Dark Promise (Cold Justice #8.5)(34)

He wore shorts and a soft, gray t-shirt. Frazer wanted appearances to reflect people on vacation in the south of France, not personnel protection embroiled in national security matters. The t-shirt had some sort of beer logo on the front and clung very nicely to a wall of muscle in the face of the prevailing wind.

“What?” he asked when he caught her staring at him.

“Nothing.”

The Saudi billionaire wanted his yacht back, but there was the matter of bioweapons and dead arms dealers and security guards to deal with first. French naval vessels formed a distant perimeter ostensibly investigating the helicopter crash, but also keeping other boats away from the two super-yachts.

The French had rounded up all the wannabe terrorists off the streets last night, including three Russians who’d tried to flee via the local airport when something had gone wrong with their boat’s engine. No one was admitting anything, but one of the Brits, Noah Zacharias, had a grin on his face every time the Russians were mentioned.

The French were taking the lead on the anthrax investigation. Lincoln Frazer hadn’t liked it, but he hadn’t complained too much. Probably because Alex was currently delving into Masook’s computer with or without the French government’s permission.

It had been six hours since Alex and Taylor had possibly been infected with anthrax, but they hadn’t become sick yet. It didn’t mean they weren’t sick, just that they weren’t sick yet. Jane was holding on to hope. It looked more and more likely that the bioweapon either wasn’t as virulent as advertised, or had been swapped out for something innocuous by the nanny who’d gotten away. Her boat had been found a few miles down the coast, but no vials. And, despite having good images of the woman and voice data, there was no record of her in any system.

“You should wait another few hours. Just to make sure there isn’t any anthrax on that boat,” Reilly spoke just loudly enough to be heard over the small outboard motor. He hadn’t wanted her to come, but he was bringing her anyway.

“I can’t.” Jane looked up at the clear sky and the incredible beauty of the region. If today was her last, at least she’d die with great scenery. And if today was Taylor’s last day, she wanted to hold her child in her arms, one more time, even if it meant certain death.

The tang of salt was strong on the air. Gulls circled above them.

Reilly maneuvered them expertly alongside the hull of the Fair Winds, grabbing one end of the ladder that extended up the side of the yacht. He tied off the boat and offered her his hand.

She scrubbed her damp palm over her thigh before standing awkwardly, trying not to tip them.

This might be the last time she saw him, she realized suddenly. She took his hand, warm, strong fingers curling around hers, a shock of awareness blasting through her. Not just attraction—something else. Something deeper. She blinked back tears. “I didn’t believe men like you existed,” she confessed.

He raised a brow over those calm eyes. He opened his mouth but she cut him off.

“Thank you. I wouldn’t have gotten through this nightmare without you looking out for me.” She wished she could have asked for more. Maybe a hug, or a farewell kiss. Despite what he’d said to her about teaching her to defend herself, she doubted she’d see him again when this was all over. He’d move on to another job, another client, and she’d—hopefully—have her hands full relearning how to be a mother.

His lips firmed, and he nodded. “Hold on tight to the ladder as the boat moves around a bit in the swell.”

She curled her fingers over the metal rungs and felt his hands brush the curve of her waist as he helped her start her journey. Once onboard there was no going back until the boat was cleared by the French officials.

She hesitated. “Take care, Jack.”

“You, too.” His fingers tightened. Alex had ordered him not to leave the inflatable and to get back to the Ascension as fast as possible. She didn’t want him exposed to danger. He’d done more than enough, bringing her over here.

Her throat got tight with all the things she wanted to say that were not professional and far from appropriate. She gritted her teeth and started climbing, refusing to look back. It was on that long climb up the ladder she finally allowed herself to think about meeting her daughter again. The idea Taylor might die because of her actions wasn’t lost on her—except—she hadn’t been the one selling germ warfare. And the Moroccan had been the one to betray Masook, not her.

Taylor would still have suffered even if Jane hadn’t asked Alex for help. In fact, she’d probably already be dead.

If Taylor died…

Jane shoved the thought out of her mind. She wouldn’t die. Jane wouldn’t allow it. She climbed what seemed to be the world’s tallest ladder and refused to think about the height. Heights and ladders were not her thing but nothing would keep her from her baby. Except, maybe fear and loathing from Taylor herself…

Finally, Jane got to the top and a hand came over the rail to help her. Alex Parker. Who’d risked everything for a woman he didn’t even like when he was on the cusp of a wedding to his pregnant sweetheart.

He lifted her aboard and gave a wave to Jack, still waiting at the bottom of the ladder.

She waved too, wishing for things she couldn’t have from a man she shouldn’t want.

Then she braced herself and looked around the deck. No sign of Taylor.