“It’s okay.” Trace pulled out his phone. “I can call a cab.”
The other man shook his head as he slid his own cell from his back pocket. “I’ve got a better idea.”
Making a call, Trace waited to see what the ‘better idea’ was.
“Hey, it’s Coop. Sorry to interrupt your honeymoon, but I’m assuming you heard about what happened.” Sean waited for the person on the other end to respond. “Yeah, it’s pretty bad. He’s in a coma.” Another pause and a nod of his head. “Sure as hell hope so. Anyway, I need a favor. I’m here with Trace Winters. He’s the operative Jake hired to run—” Coop’s eyes rose to meet his. “Yeah. That’s him.”
The person he was speaking to knew him? Trace’s interest piqued.
“He rode here in the ambulance with my sister,” Coop continued on. “She’s the one who took Gracie’s place.” The person on the other end spoke again. “Right. So, anyway, Emma’s been discharged, but I need to be here with Mac. Winters offered to take Emma home, but both our trucks are still back at the scene. I’m not big on the idea of them taking a random cab home, so I thought maybe...” The tension in the man’s shoulders relaxed. “Thanks, Ryker. I really appreciate it.” One final pause and then, “Will do. See you, soon.”
Ending the call, Coop looked back at him.
“That was Jason Ryker. He’s our handler with Homeland Security, and a good friend. He’s sending a car to pick up you and Emma and take you to her place.”
Jason Ryker.
Jake had mentioned the powerful man to him back when he’d tracked him down in Nashville to offer him the job.
The phone call made sense, now.
There was only one problem with Coop’s plan.
“Actually...” He looked back at the other man. “It would probably be best if she stayed with me.”
The sniper raised a brow. “As in your hotel room?”
Yeah, not the brightest idea I’ve ever had.
“Don’t worry,” Trace assured him. “There are two separate beds.”
“Yeah, well...” Coop smirked. “Just make sure your ass stays away from Emma’s.”
“Make sure he stays away from my what?”
Both men brought their gazes to the woman who’d just stepped into the hall.
“Nothing.” Coop shook his head. “Just guy talk. You okay?”
Suspicion crossed over her tired eyes, but she nodded. “Mac was starting to doze off, so I thought I’d let her rest.”
You need rest, too, baby.
Trace nearly took a step back.
Baby? Where the fuck had that come from?
“Listen, I put a call in to Ryker.” Coop’s voice pulled him back into focus. “He’s sending a car to pick you and Trace up. You’re uh...you’re gonna stay at his hotel tonight.”
Emma scoffed. “I don’t think so.”
“It’s just a precaution,” Trace intervened. “Like Detective West said earlier, you’re a witness and a potential target.”
“I get that, but—”
“Just for tonight, Ems.” Her brother cut her off. “I’d have you stay with me, but I need to be here, with Mac.”
“Then, I’ll stay here, too.”