Page 90 of Blind Trust
“Yes.”
“I did this to make sure you understand...I can get to you. I can get to your son. I can get to your family.” She waved at Anthony. “Bye, buddy. See you next time.”
Brooks curled his hands into fists to control the rage that made him want to wrap his fingers around her neck and squeeze the life out of her. A murder charge would be more merciful than what she was putting him through. Life in prison, or even on death row, would at least rid the world of this evil.
Christine looked over her shoulder before she got into the car. “Remember that, Brooks.”
31
Lyla replayed the plan in her head once more, avoiding the way Nicolás kept looking at her. She’d thought he would try to talk her out of it, but his attention was more affirming than questioning. It bolstered her courage, giving her the strength she needed to quell the nervousness about possibly coming face-to-face with the person who put Walsh in the hospital, where he was fighting for his life.
Last night Lyla stayed at Jack and Brynn’s house but sent both of her parents a text message saying she was okay and would check in with them later. It was hard. She hadn’t felt that kind of separation from them since she was a child, and it broke her heart.
“President Lawson has scheduled the principals meeting,” Jack said. “You’re going to run three errands before coming back to the office, where a White House driver will pick you up and take you to the West Wing.”
“If she’s not intercepted before then.”
“Right.” Jack nodded at Nicolás. “If it doesn’t happen before then, we can assume the plan is a bust.”
Lyla checked her watch. “So, I’m heading to the hospital, where Agent Bridges will be stationed. Then stopping by Lulu’s, where Kekoa will be, to pick up food. And then I’m supposed to stop by Crystal City Mall to pick up a gift.” She looked at Jack. “Where you and Brynn will be.”
“And Garcia will be with you the entire time,” Jack confirmed.
“You have Cupcake?” Nicolás pointed to her purse. “Loaded?”
“Yes.” Her stomach erupted in butterflies—and not the kind the little looks from Nicolás caused to flutter in her stomach. “I’m armed and ready.”
“Shootz, you gonna take that braddahdown.” Kekoa came behind her and lifted up her arms. “Cupcake has nothing on these guns. Flex ’em, sis. Flex ’em.”
Lyla rolled her eyes but needed this. She gave in and flexed her biceps, which were puny next to Kekoa’s.
“Sis, you flexing or what?”
“Stop!” She twisted and playfully slapped Kekoa on the chest. He gripped her in his arms, crushing her in a bear hug. “K-koa ywoo...breav.” Around her she could hear the other boys laughing and realized it had been a while since she’d heard a simple expression of happiness. It sounded like they all needed this.
When Kekoa finally released her, she reached around him and gave him a real hug. “Thanks, Kekoa.” Emotion passed through his eyes, and she had to turn away. Nope, she was leaving on a high note. “Okay, let’s get to the hospital.”
In Nicolás’s truck, they rode in silence for a few minutes. “Thank you for having my back, Nicolás. It means a lot.”
“I’m not trying to talk you out of this, but if you want to change your mind, I’ll drive this truck back to the office and barricade you in there. I have no doubt Jack, Kekoa, and I can keep you safe until we figure out another way to catch this person.”
“Wow.” She smiled. “You’ve really thought about this.”
“Jack’s mom will provide Italian food, Brynn will be our eyes on the outside, and Elinor has promised to redirect satellites to potentially make it look like our building is radioactive or something like that.” He frowned. “There were a lot of technical science terms I didn’t understand, but yes, Lyla, I’ve thought abouta thousand ways to keep you safe, including whisking you away with me to Syria.”
This time she laughed. “You think I’m safer in Syria than here?”
“Possibly.” He tilted his head. “Or I could turn the job down and take you to a remote island somewhere.”
“Nah, the mountains—North Carolina or Tennessee.”
He looked confused. “You love the beach.”
“But you love the mountains.” She shrugged. “If we’re going to be stuck together for a long time, I’d want you to be someplace you love.”
His silence might’ve bothered her before, but the desire in his eyes meant more than anything he could’ve said.
Nicolás found a spot in the detached parking structure, and they walked the breezeway to the hospital. Lyla took a fortifying breath while keeping an eye on her surroundings. If a sniper wanted to take her out, there were a hundred places for them to hide. Okay, so maybe that was an exaggeration, but it was still unnerving to think someone might be out there, ready to take a shot if given the chance.
