Page 105 of Last Chance
Simone beamed. “Jesse and I think so, too. Come by and play with Goose anytime. The next time we have a Texas Team barbeque, I’ll bring Goose along so he can see you.”
“I’d love that.” She crossed the room to Sawyer. “I’m ready.”
“That’s my signal to get back to work.” Jesse bent and kissed Simone. “I’ll call you when I’m off duty.”
“Be safe, love.”
The medic squeezed Simone’s hand and left with Sawyer and Janie. In the elevator, he said, “How did it go with the boss?”
“About like I thought it would.”
Janie looked up at him. “What does that mean?”
“He dressed me down and said if I messed up, I’d be answering to him first, then to Rowan.” He shuddered as Jesse whistled. “Tell me about it,” he muttered to his friend.
“Are you still on my security detail?” Janie asked.
“Yes, ma’am. However, I’m on probation.”
She frowned. “Explain.”
“Brody is to check in with Brent every two hours. If my team leader or the boss doesn’t like what he’s seeing or hearing, I’ll be suspended until the op is over.”
Janie’s frown morphed into a scowl. “That’s not fair. I won’t accept anyone else guarding me except you and your team.”
The elevator came to a stop at the garage level. Sawyer guided her to his SUV. “I told Brent I wouldn’t leave your side for any reason.”
“I’ll talk to him. No one is separating us. End of story.”
Although he appreciated her loyalty, Sawyer stopped her in the garage with a hand on her shoulder. “It’s a matter of your safety and that of my team. The stakes are sky high, Janie. If I’m distracted at the wrong time, you could be hurt.” He cupped her cheek. “And that would kill me, sweetheart.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me. You won’t allow it.” She laid a hand over his heart. “Just make sure you watch out for yourself, too. If I lost you now, my heart would shatter.”
Was it any wonder that he loved Janie Moran more than life itself? “We’ll watch out for each other. That way, we’ll both sail through this op without injuries that might delay my plans.”
Her eyebrows rose. “What plans, Mr. Chapman?”
“Plans to romance you until I’m able to slide a wedding ring on your finger, Ms. Moran.”
“Hey,” Jesse called from the SUV. “You realize this garage echoes, right? No secrets unless you want everyone to know you’re sweet talking the pretty lady into marrying you.”
Sawyer chuckled. “I hear you.” He nudged Janie toward the SUV. “We need to go. It may take a couple of visits to your brother to set up everything in the room.”
“I’ll talk to David’s nurse and see if I can get an extended visit with my brother. They’ve been pretty accommodating.”
“We’ll work around it if they won’t agree.” He lifted her to the passenger seat of his SUV and dug into his cargo pocket.
Sawyer handed Janie a phone. “Zane had this delivered overnight. This is your satellite phone so we can communicate when I’m on missions.” Then he gave her a bracelet, necklace, and a watch. “Each of these pieces has a GPS chip embedded in the design. If we’re separated, I’ll be able to track your location if you’re wearing any of these pieces.” After brushing her mouth with his, Sawyer circled the hood and slid behind the wheel.
An hour later, Sawyer parked in the lot at the hospital and escorted Janie up to her brother’s room with his equipment in a lightweight backpack.
When they stopped at the ICU desk, David’s nurse gave Janie a quick update. No change in her brother’s condition. “Would it be possible for me to spend a few extra minutes with David?” Janie asked. “His wife is flying in from Chile this afternoon and I’m sure she’ll want to spend as much time as possible with him. I don’t want to interfere with her time.”
“I think that will be all right. If he shows signs of distress, I’ll come get you so he can rest.”
“Thanks. I’m grateful to all of you for taking such good care of David.”
Sawyer threaded his fingers through Janie’s as they walked to David’s room. He paused beside the new bodyguard on watch. “I’ll be adding surveillance equipment to the room. Keep an eye out, Chris.”