Radley had been hired by Shadow Security to do exactly what she was best at.While it had been mostly surveillance this time around, she’d wanted and been willing to contact members of the terror cell.She likely would be putting herself in danger on future jobs, and he’d just have to deal with it.While Boone readily protected others and provided cover to his teammates, this was different.More.Radley was special to him, and he had to learn to live with the risks, knowing she was in the same dangerous line of work that he was.
Naturally, Boone hadn’t fallen for a quiet librarian or some introverted artist.Radley was outgoing.Fearless.A badass former government operative.Her stubbornness and spark kept him on his toes.Made him feel alive.
And scared the shit out of him sometimes when he realized how damn brave she was.
They quickly got settled into their hotel room, Boone tucking those thoughts away.Radley flipped open her laptop, working at the small desk.Boone sat on the bed, each of them reviewing the newest information from IT.
His lips quirked.His first time in a hotel room with Radley wasn’t a sexy weekend getaway.They had work to do.And it amused him to see that their relationship covered all the bases.Work.Play.Passion.Maybe that’s why he hadn’t been interested in a serious relationship with anyone in the past.Something had been missing, and with Radley, everything felt right.
“Holy crap,” Boone said, scanning over the encrypted message.“I don’t know how she did it, but Quinn posed as one of the terrorists on the dark web.She hacked into their own account so she could communicate with the others.”
Radley looked at him in surprise.
“Yeah, I’m impressed too,” Boone said with a chuckle.“Communicating with them is one thing, but taking over an account and pretending to be someone else?She’s good.”
“Damn good,” Radley agreed.“Look at her next message.Quinn and some of the IT staff hacked into the hotel’s security cameras.Quinn said we should be monitoring the camera on the 8thfloor.I’m not sure how she weeded out the information, but it will help us drastically narrow down our guy if she’s right.”
“It must’ve been in her communications with the guy,” Boone said with a frown.“Did he think she was meeting him here?”
“No idea,” Radley admitted.
“Some of the LAPD are already heading to the lot where the self-driving vehicles are located.All of the cars aren’t stored there though,” Boone commented.“Some are in use, but others waiting for riders to book them on the app are parked legally on the street.”
“But where are the explosives being stored?”Radley asked in confusion.“We’d see anyone hauling in wooden crates.The hotel security and staff would be suspicious, too.Unless—”
Boone’s eyes met hers.
“Would they fit in a suitcase?”she asked.“Could he roll them right past everyone and no one knew the difference?Shit.We need eyes on the 8thfloor and down by the street, too.The guy has to leave his room at some point, but he’s also got to be hauling big suitcases with him.”
Boone cursed and clicked on his laptop, pulling up the feed for the correct floor.Quinn had emailed them everything they’d needed.Except now they needed more.
“I’m going to do a lap around the building.I want to see all the exit points.We’ll ask IT to shoot us the links to those camera feeds as well,” Radley said.“I want us to be monitoring multiple locations.It seems he’s checked in to the hotel, according to Quinn, but we need to ensure he doesn’t leave.”
Boone was already rising to his feet.
“No, stay and monitor the camera feed.I’ll be right back,” she promised, giving him a quick kiss.“I hate to say it, but if I ask a few questions downstairs, I’m more likely to be helped than you.You’re a big, intimidating guy.People will be way more forthcoming with me.”
He grumbled but reluctantly agreed.“Be careful,” he told her, his voice serious.“We don’t know who this guy is or where he’s even located at the moment.If something feels off, come back.”
“Of course.You be careful too, soldier,” she said, trying to make light of the situation.
Radley moved to her backpack, grabbing her cell phone from it before slinging the bag over her shoulder.Boone took a step toward her, hesitating.
“I’ll be fine,” she assured him.“I’ll do a quick lap around the hotel noting the cameras and exits and be back soon.”