Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(39)

True. Bear, their vehicle guru, made a good living retrofitting the vehicles for Brent’s operatives. The expense was worth every penny he spent protecting his people. In his book, that was a good investment of the company’s money.

Rowan’s shoulders relaxed as she settled deeper into the seat. “Thank goodness.”

Brent glanced in the mirror again. He’d pulled far enough ahead to see behind Eli’s vehicle and the car chasing them. “Jon, if you have a shot at these guys, take it. There’s no one behind the thugs. Once we hit the highway, we’ll have to outrun them and lose them. We can’t chance hitting an innocent person.”

“Yes, sir.”

Brent continued to put distance between his vehicle and the one driven by his operatives. Eli had slowed to give his partner a better shot at the thugs.

Zipping around another vehicle, Brent raced up the entrance ramp to the highway and blended into the fast-moving traffic headed toward Interstate 24 and Nashville.

Brent moved into the fast lane and pushed the speed limit. He didn’t want to attract the attention of law enforcement, but he needed as much distance between his vehicle and Eli’s as possible in case the thugs stayed with Eli or had friends in a third vehicle.

A loud pop, then a shouted, “Oh, yeah! Way to go, partner.”

“Sit rep,” Brent snapped.

“They’re done. Jon got the chase car’s front tire. They spun out and are currently snugged up against a rock wall. You’re clear, Brent. Get your woman to the safe house. We’ll let you know as soon as we have more information from Silverman.”

“Roger that. Thanks for your help. Nice shots, Jon.”

“Guess the Navy’s training is still holding up.”

Brent snorted. As if Jon would let that lapse. He knew for a fact the sniper routinely shot hundreds of rounds every month to keep his skills sharp to protect himself as well as his teammates.

“Brent, you need at least one operative to spell you tonight.” This from Eli. “You won’t be able to rest without backup.”

“I’ll take care of it.” He had the perfect operatives in mind. Brent hoped Rowan would like Remy and Lily Doucet. “Jon, get me that info.”

“Yes, sir.” The sniper ended the call.

Brent looked at Rowan, noticed she was still shaking and her teeth were chattering. Shock. Lacking the ability to do anything else at the moment, he adjusted the temperature in the vehicle and turned on the heater in her seat.

While keeping an eye on the mirrors for possible pursuers, Brent placed a call to Remy.

“What’s up, sir?” answered the Cajun, the sound of the distinctive Louisiana accent alive in his voice.

“I need you and Lily for overnight guard duty.”

“Where and when?”

“Brentwood safe house tonight.”

“Principal?”

“Rowan Scott. I’ll be there as well.”

A slight pause, then, “We’ll leave in ten minutes.”

“Who are Remy and Lily?” Rowan asked once the call had ended.

“Two of my operatives. Remy used to be a homicide detective and Lily was in the Army. They’re both as tough as they come.” He smiled. “They’re also married. They’ve been married for about a year. I think you’ll like them.”

“Why did Eli say you needed to have backup? You’re more than capable of protecting me without help.”

That invisible band slowly constricting his chest since he’d realized his error now disappeared at her confidence in his ability to protect her. “I didn’t sleep last night. I need at least a few hours tonight to stay sharp. I can’t sleep without someone I trust watching over you.”

“You trust Remy and Lily at your back?”

“Without question. They’re my friends as well as employees. More important, I trust them with your safety.” The longer he spent with Rowan, the more that became an absolute necessity. She wasn’t just a job to him. How much more he didn’t know. But Brent couldn’t wait to find out.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN


Rowan threw off the covers and sat up in the early-morning darkness. Her eyes burned and fatigue weighed down her body, but she hadn’t slept more than a few minutes at a time since going to bed. Tired of fighting, she decided to take a shower and dress.

Sorrow made her eyes sting. Today was the day she and Brent would visit the funeral home she’d selected.

Later, Rowan reminded herself. Time to mourn later. Right now, she needed to move before she dissolved into tears. That couldn’t happen or she’d be useless.

She grabbed fresh clothes for the day and crossed to the adjoining bathroom. She skidded to a halt in the doorway, staring at the bathroom counter. A basket of toiletries had been left there during the night. Lily, she realized. The female operative had said she would leave shampoo and body wash on the counter during the night. Rowan had been sure she hadn’t slept enough for Lily to slip in the room without her knowing.

Squinting at the labels in the low light, she was surprised to find her favorite brand and scent. How did Lily know the right ones to purchase? She thought about that a moment and realized the answer was Brent. He must have noticed her favorite choices when he searched for intruders in her apartment.