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“I’m downtown. I don’t want to go back to the dorms where they are. Mom, I'm scared.”

Those two words cut my heart. Pain like I've never experienced grips my soul, making my steps falter. A heavy arm wraps around my shoulders, but I shrug it off. I need to think, not be comforted while my baby is in danger.

Fucking think, Randi.

Pacing the length of the hall outside of the security office, I mentally flip through the options we have.

“Tiny,” I say on a hushed breath. “Tiny. Go see Tiny. Tell him who you are and that you need help. He'll take care of you until the agents can get there. Until I get there.”

“The guy you used to talk about?”

I nod even though she can't see me. “That one.” I wince at the stinging pain radiating from my thumbnail. The coppery tang of blood hits the tip of my tongue. “Hoodwink Tattoos on Sixth Street. He'll be there. He's always there.” Turning on my heels, I race back down the hall and up the stairs, taking them two by two. Panting, side pinching with lack of oxygen, I shove open my bedroom door and run to the closet.

“Keep talking to me, Tae,” I wheeze as I slide my suitcase out. “I'm here.” As she rambles, her voice quivering, I toss several types of clothes into the suitcase and the prepacked toiletries I keep on hand.

“I'm here.” The light ding of an overhead door offers some relief. She made it. He'll take care of her until those dumbass agents can get to her. I’m going to kill them.

On the other end of the phone, she asks someone for Tiny, telling them she needs his help. Soon a familiar high-pitched voice pierces through the phone. “He's here,” Taeler says. A long pause of the two talking, then more shuffling. “Okay, he's taking me to the back, said I'm safe until you get here.”

I slump back against the wall, tears of relief welling in my eyes. “Great, I'll be there as soon as I can. I’m sure your protection team is already on its way to meet you, but don’t leave, you hear me? I shouldn't be more than a few hours. Call me if anything happens. Love you, Tae.”

Dropping the phone to the floor, I press both hands to my damp face and breathe in deep.

“We already called to get Air Force Two ready,’” Trey murmurs. I nod into my still trembling fingers. “It'll be okay, Mess. You got her somewhere safe and her agents—”

“They’re fired,” I hiss. “Idiots.”

Guilt slams into my chest, making me almost double over at the building pressure. Yeah, they screwed up letting her out of their sight, but the only reason she’s evenindanger is because of me. My one reason for breathing is terrified right now because of my stupid ambitions and idiotic idea. I knew the risks taking this role, knew the dangers being indebted to men like Kyle and Shawn would bring. But I can't process this.

Discreetly, I wipe my snotty nose as I lower my hands. The moment our eyes lock, he offers a stiff nod of acceptance.

“Let's go.” My gaze falls to his extended hand. Eager for the instant comfort his touch offers, I slide my fingers through his. With a small tug, I'm pressed against his chest, chin tilted up to see his handsome face. “And don't worry. You can shower on the plane.”

I huff an unexpected laugh. Leave it to this man to make me laugh when the walls are crushing in all around me.

Rolling my shoulders, I stand straight and take a deep breath.

“Okay, Trouble. Let's get to Austin.”

Chapter Ten

Randi

Even the gentle hum of the plane's engines does nothing to calm me from the anxiety-riddled high. Two whiskeys and I’m still wired, worried as hell and nowhere to go. The two more hours to Austin might as well be ten with all the pent-up nervous energy coursing through my veins.

The ball of one foot bounces against the plane’s belly while the other swings furiously back and forth in the air. Uncrossing my legs, I switch sides and recross them with a huff of impatience.

“You're driving us all crazy, Mess,” Trey says through a yawn which he tries to hide behind a tight fist. “She’s safe, and the agents are with her now. We can't do anything further until we get there, so calm the hell down, would you?” His eyes flick to Grem. “Get her another drink and some food.” Looking back to me, those brown eyes narrow in concentration. “Have you eaten today?”

I shrug and go back to my fidgeting.

“This is bullshit,” T grunts. “The other agents are there with her. We don’t need to go. There isn’t enough time to gather intelligence, plan a route, plan an alternate route. We need more time.”

“I'll just tell that to the fucker who's following Tae,” I snap. “We'll be fine, T. But we can't wait.”

“We're running on empty as it is. Plus only a few of beta team's guys got to the tarmac before we took off. This is a bad idea, Randi.”

“Fine, you stay on the plane with your graphs and shit while I go get Taeler.” I plaster a sickly sweet smile on my face. “How's that for a plan?”