The too-thin brunette breathed a sigh of relief, but then, “What about the threats? I mean, I know the kinds of people Lenny hung out with. They’re bad, Ellie. Likereallybad.”
“Which is why the DEA has agreed to put you and your son into protective custody until they can gather enough hard evidence to put them behind bars, too.” Right on cue, a black, unmarked sedan pulled up next to where they stood. “See that?” Ellie motioned toward the car parked next to hers. “Those two agents are here for you. They’ll drive you to your place, wait while you pack, and then they will take you to the safe house. You’ll spend the night there, and then in the morning, you and your son will be on your way to your. New life.
New life. New names. A future are in place,
“And Mattie?” Michelle asked about her six-year-old son.
“He’s there, waiting for you, Ma’am,” the officer spoke up.
“That’s right. Mattie is safe.” She gently squeezed the woman’s shoulder. “You both are.”
A deep clearing of the officer’s throat cut the moment short. “Sorry, but uh…we really do need to get on the road.”
In the span of her next breath, Ellie found herself being pulled in for another hug. “Thanks again.” Michelle’s whisper was heartfelt. “I’ll never forget what you did for us.”
She watched as the officer escorted the tiny brunette to the government-issued vehicle. As the black SUV drove off, Ellie slid behind the wheel of her own car and shut the door.
Chapter 2
Eagles Nest Securities
Seattle Washington
“This better be important.”
Jason “Lucky” Lucas turned toward the source of the grumbled comment and smirked. “Good morning to you, too, Van,” he greeted Donovan Braddock as the former SEAL entered the space known to their team as the Conference Room.
In reality, this was their war room. The one place where the men of Eagle’s Nest Securities could discuss their most sensitive cases without fear of being overheard…or hacked.
“You ever know Hayes to call us in when itwasn’timportant?” Lucky posed the question sincerely.
Van’s dark stare turned his direction, and the man grunted as he made his way into the room and over to the long, oval table where Lucky sat. “Funny, coming from the guy who’s usually the first one to start whining about missing out on his weekend time.”
“I beg to differ,” he rebutted. “My whining is selective and only appears when there’s the potential for coitus interruptus.”
“Meaning, Lucky only gets pissed when work interferes with his chances of getting laid.”
The quipped comment had them both turning their attention to the three men filtering into the room. First to enter was Logan Hayes, the team’s leader. On his heels was Chase Boyer, and shutting the door behind him was Archer Nash.
“Hey, now.” Lucky feigned offense. “I’ll have you know I’m a deeply emotional individual who just so happens to have a talent for connecting with beautiful women.”
It was true. He was talented when it came to communicating with members of the opposite sex. But lately, though he wasn’t clear as to why, it was his follow-through that left much to be desired.
You know why.
“Sure.” Chase snorted. “If by ‘connecting’ you meanbedding.”
Lifting his middle finger in the young sniper’s direction, Lucky didn’t deny the off-handed claim. He had a reputation to uphold, after all.
A reputation that’s based on pure bullshit.
Ignoring his nagging conscious, he shook his head and let his lips curl into a sideways grin. “Hate on me all you want, gentlemen.” He linked his fingers behind his head and settled back into his chair. “I don’t blame you for being jealous.”
“Jealous?” Archer chuckled as he pulled out the wheeled chair to Lucky’s right. “Of what? Still being stuck in the dating pool?” The man lowered himself into his seat. “Trust me when I say there isn’t a single cell in my body that envies you on that front.”
“I second that.” Logan took his rightful place at the head of the table.
“You only second that because Natalie finally took pity on you and married your pathetic ass,” Lucky reminded.