“Well, you could go with a softer approach? According to your friend Barry, Forest is a man who has an eye for a prospective female who looks like she can’t defend herself and would be an easy target,” I suggest.
Sawyer narrows his eyes. “What are you sayin’?”
I shrug innocently. “Nothing.”
“Spit it out.”
I huff. “I could go in there, undercover, do some digging.”
He snorts. “Not gonna happen.”
“Why not? I can take some fake dry cleaning and get some intel, or just say we met Barry at Big Papa’s and he told us to come by?”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “And whatinteldo you plan on getting exactly?”
“I don’t know. I could just say Barry propositioned me the other night at Big Papa’s and I’m desperate for work.”
He blinks. I know he knows it’s a good idea. “Not gonna happen.”
“Don’t be a spoilsport. I’ll go to Cash.”
“No,” he says, leaning forward, one fist bangs on the table, making me jump. “You won’t put yourself in harm’s way, and you won’t go over my head to Cash.”
We stare at one another.
“It isn’t in harm’s way if half the club is waiting outside watching, dummy.” I roll my eyes. “But geez, Saw, I think I like this overprotective, alpha side of you, damn. It’s a pity I only have another half an hour for lunch?—”
“Don’t try to be cute and distract me from what you just said. These people are evil.” He lowers his voice. “They traffic people, babe, he wouldn’t think twice about nabbin’ you right there and then, you’re probably a wet dream to someone like him.”
“Yeah, but it would help. Barry never gets the address, and they don’t decide it until the day of the next cattle call, but if I flirt with Forest or one of his cronies enough, he might just tell me and then we’ll know beforehand where to lie in wait.” Yes, I did my homework.
“I hate how you’ve thought this through.”
I tap my head. “What can I say, I’m just a wealth of knowledge, not just a pretty face.”
Sawyer sighs, running a hand over his face. “I can’t let you do that.”
“Babe, don’t fight me on this. Iwantto help. What are the chances that this Forest guy, or Barry’s associates, won’t realize soon when he doesn’t meet up with him and the dead guy?” I say. “He’ll be expecting them at some stage. When Barry and co don’t show up soon, he’ll know they’ve been infiltrated.”
“I wish you weren’t so smart.”
I poke my tongue out. “It’s a great idea. He’ll think I’m just some dumb idiot and probably won’t think twice about spillinghis guts for the location. It’s practically risk free. If he tries anything, you’ll be right out front with the cavalry.”
“Nova—”
“You know it’s a good plan.”
The silence is deafening, but I see the cogs turning in his head. “I’d never put you in harm’s way. Never.”
I set my cup back on the table, reaching for his hands instead. “I know that, Saw. But this is critical. This Regi guy is a phantom. You’ve barely found anything on him since you found he was in New Orleans and you’re the best hacker I know. That means he knows how to skate around the system, he’s slippery, and we have to be one step ahead of him.”
“I’d never forgive myself if it went south.” He shakes his head. “I can’t. I’m sorry. I won’t?—”
“Sawyer, don’t make me get mad at you.”
He frowns. “Would you really go over my head?”
“Yes,” I say, folding my arms over my chest. “I would, and it’s because I love you I will do anything. I want these assholes caught. He could’ve been the one who hurt you in the very beginning. Like you said, this is much bigger than any of us.”