Set Me Free (A Fugitive #2)(23)

"Yeah, I'm just thinking about tomorrow." He placed his hands on her hips. "If you get caught, it's..."

"It's gonna be real bad. I know." Lucy's voice quivered.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?"

She looked away for a moment, her lips scrunching. "I'm ready for this to be over, Zach, so I guess I kind of have to be ready for tomorrow." She swallowed and turned back to him. "It is scary, but I know I have the skills to do it. Do you think your uncle can pull it off?

Zach chuckled. "Cause a distraction by flirting with someone? I think he'll do just fine."

Lucy grinned and nodded, moving her hand to his face. "Thank you for everything you're doing."

"I'm not doing anything." He scratched his head and stepped out of reach, finally acknowledging his guilt at having to sit back and wait while she and Alex drove into a lion's den.

She reached for his hand and yanked him back towards her, making sure their bodies were securely melded together before speaking. "You're doing everything I need you to do." Her gaze was sincere as she studied him. "Zach, you always know how to be everything I need. You might not be going into that warehouse with me tomorrow, but just knowing you're waiting for me on the outside is enough."

He smiled at her sweet words.

"We're potentially one day away from ending this. If that evidence can somehow prove Tenner guilty, five years of running will be over. I'm scared and I'm excited and I sort of can't believe it. But if your uncle can write some magic that will get the FBI investigating, then this risk will all be worth it. I know it's not a guarantee, but it's a chance. One that's worth taking."

"Yeah. Yeah it is." Zach tucked a tendril of dark hair behind Lucy's ear, glad that her tune had changed for the better. She seemed confident and in control, a quiet strength emanating from her. With a soft smile, he leaned forward. As their lips met, her arms snaked behind him, her fingers pressing into his back. He pulled her tight against him, wrapping her in a security she deserved and praying that their plan for tomorrow would pay off and they could once and for all set Lucy free.





Chapter 12





LUCY





My nerves felt like electrical wires sparking together as Alex drove towards the warehouse. I couldn't talk. It was nine o'clock in the morning and I hadn't been able to utter a word since getting out of bed. I'd barely slept. This was my first con in a while...and it was a big one...a hell scary one.

Zach had faith in me. I could see it in his expression when he kissed me goodbye. The way his eyes bulged when I walked out of the motel bathroom, all geared up as my persona - Agent Wilcox - told me I had pulled off the look.

"Wow." That was all he'd managed.

Alex looked pretty dashing as well as he turned the car right and led us towards the warehouse entrance.

"You remember everything?" I finally muttered.

"I'm all good, Wilcox. Just relax."

I clicked my tongue. "I should be saying that to you."

"You think you've got more experience at conning people than I do?"

"Well, yeah." I glanced at him.

His white teeth flashed with a broad grin and he winked. "Trust me, honey. I can do this. Now let's go get you that evidence."

Alex braked at the guard's station, his smile disappearing as he held up the ID badge, suddenly looking bored. Perfect. I felt my stomach settle as the tired looking guard took a cursory glance at his ID then looked to me. I flashed my badge up, giving him a little half smile, which he returned before waving us through.

"Told you he wouldn't really check them." I cocked my head.

I buttoned my jacket once I got out of the car, adjusting my low ponytail and making sure I held my shoulders back. I was a confident woman although still a new agent, so I had to have a slight trepidation about me. Not that challenging considering the killer bees demolishing my stomach as we walked towards the warehouse entrance.

I swung open the door and let Alex go through first, watching with a smirk as his serious expression morphed to a soft look of surprise. His blue eyes glinted as he swanned towards the desk.

"Hi." His voice was husky as he flashed his ID badge at the middle-aged lady behind the counter. No wedding ring, a little well-placed make up, short curls and pearl earrings. Nice combination.

Her eyelashes fluttered a little as she took in the charming Agent Green.

He leaned against the counter, his blue gaze drinking her in. "I'm Agent Green and this is my colleague, Agent Wilcox."

I flicked my ID up so she could take a quick glance. "Hi. We're here for an evidence box." I fumbled Alex's phone out of my pocket and looked at the screen. "Case number 42896."

She gave me a hard look.

"Margery." Alex pointed at the badge clipped onto her pocket. "I used to have a girlfriend named Margery. She was a peach. I sometimes wonder if she was the one that got away, you know?" He tipped his head, running his eyes approvingly down her body. "Margery. Mmmm. I think I'll love that name forever."

A blush lit her cheeks as she fluffed the back of her hair. With a flick of the mouse and a few keystrokes she brought up a screen full of numbers that I couldn't quite read. "That's a cold case."