Page 46 of Covert Operation

I didn’t, technically. “I like working for Alaskan Security as much as I would like working anywhere. There’s good and there’s bad, but the good outweighs the bad most days.”

Savannah’s full lips press into a considering line, but she doesn’t ask any more questions.

“What about you?” I lean back in my seat and redirect the conversation. “Do you think you’ll enjoy working at Alaskan Security as much as you enjoyed teaching?”

Savannah’s brows pinch together as she thinks over what I’ve asked. “I loved teaching, but I don’t know that I would love it now. I think I’m like you. I’ll enjoy working for Alaskan Security as much as I would enjoy working anywhere.” She looks down at her plate, moving around the remainder of the beans there. “Honestly, for a while I was worried I might never leave my house again. There was nothing worth leaving it for. I couldn’t find anything to make me happy or excited.”

I don’t mind being unfulfilled. I’m used to having a life that’s more about existing than living. But I don’t want that for Savannah. She’s too good and sweet and kind to end up like me.

“And look at you now.” I pass off the company credit card I travel with because Pierce is sure as hell footing the bill for this whole trip. “More than halfway across the country and ready for an adventure.”

Savannah collects her coat and purse as I settle up. “I’d hardly call a work trip an adventure.”

I stand, helping her bundle back up. “That’s because you haven’t seen the hotel yet.” I’m almost positive Savannah is going to love it. If she does, it’ll be worth the lecture Pierce dishes out when he gets the bill.

We load back into the car and I set the GPS to take us to our final destination of the evening. The Gaylord isn’t far away, and we’repulling up to the doors and I’m passing the keys off to the valet in minutes.

“Holy crap.” Savannah’s eyes are wide as she takes in our surroundings. “This place is beautiful.”

I take her hand in mine, so she can continue gawking without worrying about falling. “I had some time to kill while I was here last so I came to check this place out.”

Spying on Vincent wasn’t nearly as eventful as Pierce expected it to be. After three days of watching him watch someone else, I needed a fucking break. This place was one of the most recommended stops in the city, so I took an hour to decompress.

And I’m glad I did.

Savannah’s green eyes dart around as I lead her to the check-in desk and give them my name. She leans into me as she tries to take it all in.

And I watch her. Chest tight with pride that I gave her this moment.

“Sir?”

I force my eyes from Savannah to find the woman on the other side of the counter giving me an apologetic smile.

“I’m so sorry, but we only have one room booked for you.”

NINETEEN

SAVANNAH

IT TAKES A second for the woman’s words to register, but when they do, my stomach becomes an Olympic gymnast. It doesn’t just somersault, that thing performs an entire floor exercise.

And it’s not because I’m upset.

“That can’t be right.” Zeke scowls at her. “We need two rooms.”

Her already strained expression tightens even more. “I’m so sorry, but we’re sold out. There’s an event?—”

“Hang on.” He pulls out his phone, dials a number, then presses it to his ear, looking half ready to murder someone—my guess is Isaac.

At one point in time, I might have taken his reaction the wrong way. Might have assumed Zeke’s upset was because the thought of sharing a room with me sounded awful to him.

But I don’t think that’s the case now. He’s upset because he thinksI’llbe upset. Zeke is many things—all of them appealing—but the one I like most is how determined he is to make sure I’m taken care of. That I feel safe and strong and powerful.

Even though it means he’s shooting eye daggers at the poor woman across from us over this accidental forced proximity.

“They’re telling me there’s only one room.” Zeke doesn’t even greet the person on the other end of the line. His eyes narrow as he listens, then his voice takes on a lethal edge when he says, “Why in the hell would you only book one room?”

I press one hand to my gold medal winning gut and give the woman at the counter a smile. “It’s fine.” I rest one hand on Zeke’s arm, resisting the urge to squeeze his bicep. “It’s fine.” I turn back to the woman checking us in. “What kind of room is it?”