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“Shit. Nathalie?”
“She’s safe.”
“You?”
“I’m okay.”
“Hold on.” The phone went silent. Then Nathan returned to the call. “Lachlan says as soon as you’re clear, meet him at Dìleas in the parking garage, level three.”
“Will do.”
Ryder called Danny next. “As soon as you’re sure you don’t have a tail, head to the safe house address and secure the location. I’m making a detour to Dìleas first.”
He drove around until he could be sure he wasn’t being followed, then headed to Alexandria and pulled into the multi-story car park next to the building housing Dìleas headquarters.
“You can sit up now but stay in the vehicle until I tell you it’s safe to get out.”
“Thank God. My legs are cramping, and this vest feels like a straitjacket.” Nathalie hauled herself onto the passenger seat and turned a troubled gaze on Ryder. “Was there really someone with a gun outside?”
If she hadn’t registered the sound of the weapon discharging, he wasn’t going to alarm her by announcing the shot grazed him. “Yes. But he ran when I yelled.”
At this time of night, the car park was mostly empty. Ryder drove up the ramp to the third floor and rounded the corner, spotting the metallic black BMW X5 Lachlan had purchased two years ago, after the demise of his Mercedes.
Lachlan stepped from his vehicle. Tall, with black hair and dark emerald eyes, the Scot had thin white scar lines on his chin and temple and a small one on his cheek. Visible reminders he hadn’t spent his life safely behind a desk. A slight hitch in his stride when he tired was an unwelcome reminder of the mission in Afghanistan that had changed all their lives.
“Who’s that?” Nathalie’s gaze stayed glued to the man in the hunter-green Henley and jeans outside her window.
“My boss, Lachlan Mackay.” Ryder reached over and squeezed her hand to bring her attention to him. “We need to switch cars.”
She frowned. “Why?” Her frown disappeared with a sigh. “Don’t tell me. Security protocol.”
“I was just about to meet up with Nathan to secure Ms. Williams’s home.” Lachlan tossed his key fob at Ryder and took the Suburban key.
Nathalie opened her door. Lachlan held it as Ryder helped her down from the seat.
“Ms. Williams, I’m Lachlan Mackay. I’m sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. Rest assured, we will do everything in our power to keep you safe.”
Nathalie favored Ryder’s boss with a wan smile. “I have complete faith in Ryder and the rest of your team, Mr. Mackay.”
“Please, call me Lachlan.”
“Lachlan, then.”
Ryder noted her sagging shoulders. “I need to get Nathalie to the safe house. Danny’s meeting us there.”
Lachlan nodded. “Nathan and I will make sure you can return Nathalie to her home tomorrow morning.”
“Thanks, mate.”
The safe house was a hotel room in Tyson’s Corner. Ryder pulled into a parking space near the well-lit entrance.
Danny emerged from the lobby, keycards in hand, and a small black rucksack over his shoulder. “Suite is clear.” He handed Ryder the keycards. “You good?” His gaze slid over Ryder’s left side.
Ryder slanted his eyes toward Nathalie and back to Danny in a wordless plea to keep mum about the shot fired.
Danny’s chin lifted in acknowledgment.
They entered the hotel through a side door and took the stairs to the second floor. Danny stayed in the hall with Nathalie as Ryder unlocked the door and stepped inside. Like most hotel rooms, the two-bedroom suite was a study of neutrals except for the navy-blue couch in the front living area. Tan vinyl floor in the living room with beige carpets in the bedrooms, brown furniture, white bedding and towels.