“My life, and those of others, has depended on it.”
“I swear to you, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Hawkeye.” It was important to her that Jacob understood completely.
“And?”
Things were suddenly more complicated. They were having two different discussions. One about her relationship with his friend. Another where she was trying to convince Jacob to let her go back to her regular life. “About a year ago, Hawkeye was passing through Denver, and he stopped in the pub and ordered a whiskey, neat. I brought him the wrong brand. In the years since I’d seen him, he’d switched to something smoother and much more expensive. That’s when we caught up.”
Without responding, Jacob nodded.
Had her explanation satisfied him?
He tapped his fingers, as if contemplating how much to reveal. “Inamorata received a birthday card at her home, and there was white powder in it. Results have confirmed it was anthrax.”
A chill rocked through Elissa, and she wrapped her arms around herself to ward it off. “Is she… Someone tried to…” Oh no. Despite herself, the news unnerved her. “Is she okay?”
“Yes. She was immediately started on antibiotics as a precaution, and there are no ill effects. In fact, she was furious at herself for opening the envelope and refused to take any time off work.” He leveled a stare at her, and his eyes were icy enough to freeze her in place. “Whoever it is has already reached the upper levels of the company. We have no idea what kind of information he—or she—has access to.” He paused. “It could be someone who works for the company.”
For the first time, a tendril of doubt unfurled inside her. With determination, she tamped it down. No doubt the arrogant males surrounding her were overreacting. But were they?
“All of Hawkeye’s resources are focused on this.” His tone was as cold as it was detached.
“Jacob—”
“The sooner you accept reality and make yourself comfortable here, the easier this will be.” He leaned toward her and imprisoned her gaze. “You’re staying in protective custody until Hawkeye says otherwise. My decision is non-negotiable.”
Even though Jacob made polite conversation through the rest of breakfast, his harsh words continued to echo in her ears. How was she supposed to be comfortable out here in the middle of nowhere, alone with a stranger who’d kissed her and haunted her dreams?
“Elissa?”
Since he was looking at her quizzically, she shook her head to clear it.
“I asked if you were finished eating.”
“Yes. Thanks.” She nodded, then, when he pushed back his chair and stood, followed suit.
Together, they cleared the table, then straightened the kitchen.
“I’ll be in my office if you need anything.” He inclined his head before walking away.
Under normal circumstances, she might have enjoyed his polite, old-fashioned charms. But she already knew what lay beneath the polished exterior.
Once the sound of his footsteps had vanished and silence shrouded her, she walked to the window and stared into the distance. Just yesterday, there hadn’t been enough time to get everything done that she needed to. And now, the upcoming hours seemed to loom like an unpleasant specter.
Even more restless and uncertain than she had been before breakfast, she headed upstairs, quietly passing his office on the way to her bedroom.
She closed the door and then dialed her dad’s phone number.
As the call connected, she paced the confines of her temporary bedroom. When she’d first arrived, the space seemed large and luxurious. Now it was claustrophobic, the walls closing in on her.
“Elissa, love!”
At the welcome sound of his voice, an emotional lifeline like it had always been, she collapsed her shoulders against the wall.
“I know you’ve been texting, and Hawkeye’s been keeping us posted, but it’s good to hear from you.”
She fought for normalcy in order to reassure him. “How are things in Ireland?”
“We’re at the airport.”
“What? The airport?”
“Hawkeye chartered a plane for us. Can you imagine? We’re waiting for our flight now.”
The news shouldn’t have surprised her, but it did. “There’s no need to cut your trip short.” They needed the break. Deserved it. “This will all be over soon.” It had to be.
“It’s all arranged. Hawkeye’s having us picked up when we arrive at the Denver airport and assigning us a security agent.”
A chill shot up her spine. “What?”
“It’s out of an abundance of caution.”
She exhaled a worried sigh. This was all too much. And if Hawkeye were truly that concerned, wouldn’t her parents be safer if they were out of the country? “Dad. Seriously. Stay there.”
“Lovey, we insisted on it. Your mother wouldn’t be able to sleep otherwise.”
How had her entire life been so completely turned upside down?
“They’re fetching us to board the plane. We love you, Liss.”
They each said a quick goodbye, promised to talk again soon, and then she was left staring at a blank screen on her phone.
Still as restless as she had been, she dialed Joseph, who was covering for her.
“I’m already at the pub so Mary can update me on new procedures. Wanted to spend a couple of hours with her while I reorient.”
“Good idea.”
“Everything’s under control, and yes, I promise I’ll call if I need you.”
Talking to him made her feel as if she were doing something useful, even though she hadn’t been needed at all. Others seemed to be handling all the pieces of her life, which meant she had the time she needed to work on her graphic arts project.
After showering then dressing in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, she searched out Jacob. She knocked on the door where she’d previously found him, and when there was no answer, she called out his name and reached for the handle.
A red light on the wall next to the door blinked, and she noticed a small touchpad there. When she placed a fingertip against it, a buzzer blasted, the sharpness ricocheting around her and making her jump back.
More surprises.
She went downstairs and, when she didn’t find him, continued toward his wing of the house. “Jacob?”
“Back here!”
Near his bedroom, one of the doors stood ajar.
Still, before crossing the threshold, she knocked.
“Enter.”
When she did, he turned his chair toward her. His smile was inviting, sending another little tingle through her.
“I… Uh.” She tucked hair behind her ear. “I didn’t realize you had two offices.”
“The other is more for cameras. In an emergency, it doubles as a panic room.”
“Hence the door on it?”
“Actually you’ll find that type of lock in several places in the house. Anywhere I might require privacy.”
“The room you don’t want me to see?” Why had she blurted that out? “Unless you were joking about having one.”
“No. I assure you I wasn’t.”
Fear collided with excitement and turned her tummy upside down.
“And yes, it’s protected…with biometrics. Do you want to see it?”