Remember Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker #3)(57)

My heart lurched. Ryan squeezed my hand, then brought it to his lips and kissed it before giving me a sad smile. “We knew this would happen. It won’t last forever. After they get their interviews with us, we’ll be old news and it will all blow over. But this hype will keep us safe from Donovan long enough for us to find him first.”

“It had better.”

“It will. And look on the bright side. Tomorrow morning you get to meet your parents.”

The lights in the hall flickered. I had too many emotions hitting me all at once not to let some of my control slip. I was terrified and excited to meet my parents. They would know me better than anyone. What if I wasn’t the daughter they remembered? What if things were awkward now? Ryan told me that I’d been very close with them. What if I couldn’t get that relationship back? I shook my head and tried to focus. Now was not the time to fall apart; there was too much going on. Too much at stake. I needed to keep my head in the game and worry about the personal stuff later. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “So what’s the plan for tomorrow, then?”

“Carter will leak your current location, your parents’ flight information, and your plans to visit John’s Hopkins about your amnesia just as soon as I give him the okay. I wanted to make sure you and Ryan were back here safely before anyone knew where you were staying.”

“What? Why would he release my parents’ flight information? It’s bad enough they’re being harassed right now. If you release their travel plans, they’ll be ambushed the entire way. Donovan will know when they’re coming. They won’t be safe!”

The lights flickered again. Major Wilks glanced at the ceiling and then lifted a hand as if to keep me calm. “The media attention is what will protect them, remember? That was the whole reason for contacting Carter in the first place. We don’t want Donovan to decide to use them as leverage against you. Donovan doesn’t want to expose himself. We sent Eyes and Tex to escort your parents here, and Tyson and Abiodun will be there as well, under the cover of Tyson’s gift. I assure you we will keep your parents safe.”

I hated that he was right. I didn’t like the idea that we were essentially ambushing my parents with the media. But at least Carter warned them first. “Thank you for sending Tyson and Abiodun to them.”

“Of course, Miss Baker. I understand the risks we’re taking, and I promise we mean to do everything we can to make sure no harm comes to them.”

I took a breath and waited for my heart to slow down. I could do this. This was the plan. It was going to be okay.

Ryan’s hand slipped into mine again. “Come on, Jamie. Let’s get you inside. You could use the rest before tomorrow. It’s never a good idea for you to be tired.”

“Definitely not a good idea,” I agreed. Cranky and dangerous unstable superpowers were not a good combination. “That would not be good for anyone.”

Ryan smiled and took the card key from my hand. He and Major Wilks went into the room, but Smut and Johnny G wished me goodnight, staying put to guard the door from the outside. Poor guys.

I was surprised by the quality of the room—huge and luxurious. It was more like a big, fancy apartment than a hotel room. The main living room was floor-to-ceiling windows on one side overlooking the whole city of Boston, and larger than my entire house back in the desert. “What’s all this for? Not that I’m complaining, but after experiencing the lovely accommodations back at the base, I expected a double and a coffee maker.” I narrowed my eyes at Ryan and Major Wilks. “Are you trying to butter me up or something?”

Major Wilks shrugged as if to claim innocence. Ryan, on the other hand… “Sorry. I couldn’t resist. I just wanted you to be comfortable tonight.”

My throat burned a little. It was just a hotel room, but the fact that he’d thought about me like that, that he was so concerned for my feelings and general well-being during this nightmare, was beyond touching. It meant more than he could possibly understand to know that someone was looking out for me right now. That I wasn’t alone. “Thank you,” I muttered.

“Of course. Anything for you, Sunshine. I hope you know that.”

The burning in my throat spread into my chest and my eyes as well. The man was seriously going to make me cry.

Major Wilks cleared his throat and stepped back into the hall. “Have a good night, Angel. You’ll have someone out here all night. Be sure to let us know if you need anything.”

I nodded, and my eyes drifted back to Ryan. He was moving toward the door very, very slowly, casting longing glances back at me. When he gave me an obvious playful pout, I couldn’t hold back my smile any longer and took pity on him. “Do you want to stay here tonight?”

He zipped over to me and snaked his arms around my waist so fast he’d practically used superspeed. “Yes, please.”

“On the couch,” I said sternly.

He sighed. “I’ll take what I can get.”

Major Wilks stood in the hallway and glanced back and forth between the two of us. “It’s fine,” I assured him. “Honestly, I’ll feel better having at least one of you in here with me.”

“I’ll stay if you’re tired of Romeo,” Johnny G offered.

I rolled my eyes at him and pushed Ryan off me. “Where were you supposed to stay tonight? Do you have to go get a bag or something?”