Chapter Ten #3
My eyes widened as I stared at Mars, shaking my head. “He doesn’t believe me, Mars,” I mouthed.
Mars frowned and I opened my mouth to say something else, when Josiah spoke up again. “Did you hear me?”
“Y-yeah, Josiah…hey, listen, thanks for understanding.”
“I don’t!” he said abruptly. He wasn’t even trying to disguise his anger.
I’ve never been more relieved to be having this conversation over the phone rather than face to face.
“I have plans to change now. Is there anything else I can do to accommodate your family, Cam?” Sarcasm dripped from his words.
I frowned. I wanted to tell him where he could shove his orders, but I wasn’t about to do that. Instead, I sighed. “Like I said, I’m really sorry. There’s nothing I can do about it which is the only reason I called.”
“Fine.”
“Thanks. Well, good night.”
The call abruptly ended. Josiah hadn’t even said goodbye. I hung up, squeezing my eyes tightly shut. I wanted to cry, but I wasn’t about to do that, not here. I startled, eyes flying wide open when Mars suddenly squeezed my bicep. “Ya did fine, Cam.”
I shook my head. “He didn’t believe me.” Fear coursed through me.
“It’s okay. Ya did fine, Cam, really.” I stared into his eyes, praying he was right.
I sucked in a deep breath, blowing it out slowly before I stood on shaky legs.
He followed me to the door, reaching past me to open it.
I pivoted to look at him, wanting to feel his arms around me just once more, comforting me. He just nodded. “Ya did fine.”
I felt sick to my stomach. “I really hope so.” I headed for my room, refusing to look back, even though I felt him watching me as I opened my own door.
I stripped down again, crawling back into bed, shaking all over as I replayed the phone call.
I stayed that way for several minutes, thinking about everything I’d said, replaying Josiah’s words over and over until I was so exhausted, I couldn’t think anymore.
It was a long time before my mind settled down.
I finally gave up, and closed my eyes, falling into a deep sleep minutes later.
I sat bolt upright again, waking with a start when someone pounded on my door.
Glancing around the pitch-black room, I finally located the digital alarm clock on the nightstand.
I reached over to fumble for the light switch on the lamp, turning it on as the knock came again.
Seven fucking thirty? Shiiit. I rolled out of bed, only realizing I was naked after I stood up.
Cursing, I grabbed my briefs and pulled them on, shoving one leg at a time into my jeans as I hopped to the door.
I leaned forward, looking into the peephole as I zipped up, only to find Mars, frowning as he swayed side to side.
I flicked the security bar back and opened the door wide, seeing him with his hands shoved down into his jean pockets, stepping back as Mickey appeared behind him. “Come on in.”
“Were ya still asleep?” Mars asked, brushing past me as the sexy scent of his aftershave followed him.
“Yeah,” I replied, scratching the short chest hair between my pecs. “Sorry, I was up late last night,” I mumbled. “Couldn’t sleep.” The fire burning in Mars’ eyes told me he understood why.
I dropped my hand as he lowered his gaze to my nipple rings, and I purposely strode over to the bed and snatched up my Aerosmith tee, yanking it over my head. I eyeballed both men as my head popped through the neck hole. “When did you get up?”
Mickey held up the Styrofoam cup in his hand. “I made a coffee run about an hour ago while Mars showered. He told me the call with Josiah went well.”
I shrugged, locating my shoes and socks and then plopping down on the bed to put them on. “I have no idea, but coffee sounds great right about now.”
“I thought ya might want to get some breakfast while we talk about what’s gonna ‘appen with ya mum this morning.”
I dropped my shoelace and straightened, pinning him with a look. “What’s gonna happen? Is it different from what you told me last night?”
Mickey glanced at Mars at the same time I did.
“No,” he said. “I just mean we’re gonna be able to listen in.” He checked his watch before digging into the pocket of his leather bomber jacket.
I was confused. “Listen in?”
“Our agent will be there at nine a.m. sharp, so I thought we could get a bite to eat. Then ‘ead over to Shady Grove where we can listen in using these earwigs which were dropped off this morning.” He held out a foam box holding transmitters similar to the ones I’d used last night with Josiah.
I took the box, they were similar but different. I glanced at Mars. “Wait. Are you saying I can listen in when the agent pretending to be my sister talks to Mr. Ranger this morning?”
Both men smiled. “Yeah,” Mickey said. “After you left the room last night, we talked to Candy and he’s putting one of our best agents on it. She’ll help pack a bag and get her out of there before Josiah’s guys turn up to move her.”
“How do you know they’re not already watching Shady Grove?” I asked, worry churning in my guts.
“Agents from the FBI field office ‘ere in Vegas are sitting on Shady Grove. They’ve been watching for anyone suspicious ever since we ‘eard what the tosser was planning last night,” Mars replied.
“You’re shitting me?”
“No,” Mickey said with a grin. He clapped me on the shoulder. “Now, get your shoes on so we can get some breakfast. We’re gonna head over to the place so we can watch.”
I felt my eyes widen. “What if we’re seen?”
“They won’t be looking for us,” Mars said, with confidence I wasn’t feeling. “Besides, we need to be close if we want to ‘ear since the earwigs ‘ave a limited range.”
I nodded briskly, blowing out a relieved breath as I shoved the box into my jeans and sat back down to tie my shoes. “Thanks, guys. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“We know, Cam. Trust me,” Mars said.
I smiled at him. “I do, Mars. I trust both of you.”