Page 36 of Shadow Redemption
“Jon uses a variety of methods to obtain information we need to protect our principals. Sometimes those methods are unpleasant.”
Ruth stared. Oh, man. “He’ll hurt them?”
“If they leave him no choice. We need the information, sunshine. Your life might depend on it. Don’t feel guilty about Jon’s work. The thugs made their choices. They can deal with the consequences.”
The idea of anyone being hurt on her account caused her stomach to tighten into a knot until she remembered that Ben’s life was at stake, too. He’d stand in front of her in an attack. Ruth’s hands fisted. She wanted the danger gone. If Jon Smith’s skill at interrogation made that possible, she would deal.
Ben returned to the interstate and resumed their journey to Fortress headquarters. As the miles passed, he retained his hold on her hand, occasionally lifting it to his mouth to press a kiss to her palm or wrist.
Goosebumps surged up her spine. Ben was potent. Would he ever consider a real relationship with her? Who was she kidding? Why would a man as amazing as Ben want a woman broken by a monster? The kisses, hugs, and hand holding were designed to help with their cover. Ben hadn’t hinted that he was interested in her in the real world despite off-the-charts chemistry between them.
Ben must have sensed something amiss because he squeezed her hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” A whopper of a lie.
“Why don’t I believe you?” Another squeeze. “Come on. We’ve been middle-of-the-night phone buddies for months. Talk to me.”
She wanted to but feared broaching a subject that could lead to the end of their friendship. “I can’t talk about this right now.” She didn’t want to lose him. As ashamed as she was of her own weakness, Ruth needed Ben to protect her from the stalker.
After her final modeling job, she wouldn’t be in the limelight as much. Maybe her stalker would decide she wasn’t worth his time anymore. Ruth sighed. Right. In her dreams. Real life wasn’t so kind.
“Will this impact your safety?” Ben asked.
Ruth shook her head. If he bailed on her, Maddox would assign someone else to act as bodyguard.
Ben considered her a moment, then said, “All right. I’ll let it slide. For now. But we’ll come back to this soon. I want the truth. No hedging. We’ve come too far for that.” He flicked her a pointed glance. “I won’t let you retreat behind your walls, Ruth.”
She prayed she found the courage to ask for what she wanted and needed in her life. Ben.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ben remained vigilant throughout the rest of the drive to Fortress headquarters, alternating between checking the mirrors and watching Ruth with his peripheral vision. Something was bothering her, but what?
Although he longed to badger her into revealing what troubled her, he wanted to fully concentrate on the discussion. Concerned that the constant threats to her safety were causing memories of her time with Torino to resurface, Ben would encourage her talk to Marcus Lang before the jet left for Mexico tonight.
His thumb skimmed over the delicate skin of her wrist, lips curving when she shivered in reaction to his touch.
When Ben checked the rearview mirror again, his eyes narrowed. An old green truck weaved through traffic, edging closer to them. Gut tightening, he changed lanes and increased his speed. The truck surged forward, shifting into the lane a few car lengths behind his SUV.
Not good. He squeezed Ruth’s hand before releasing her to get a better grip on the steering wheel. “We have company.”
Ruth twisted to look out the back window. “Which vehicle?”
“Old green truck. We’re ten miles from Fortress. By the time Zane dispatches operatives to intercept, we’ll be close to the compound.”
“So, we’re on our own?”
“For now. I don’t want to use evasive maneuvers. Traffic is too bad.”
“Will they run us off the road?”
“Not on the interstate. Too many witnesses with cell phones to call the cops. They’ll wait until we get off the interstate.”
“Let’s give ourselves some room, then. I’d prefer not to travel to Mexico with whiplash injuries.”
He glanced at her, concerned. “Are you hurting?”
“Nothing that an over-the-counter pain medicine won’t cure. Don’t worry about me, Ben. If I was injured, I’d tell you.”