Page 47 of Saving Jennifer
Noah was silent for a long moment, his profile illuminated by the slash of light coming through the partially opened bathroom door. “That depends on the verdict,” he finally said. “If they’re convicted, you’ll have options. You could stay in WITSEC, or—”
“That’s not what I mean.” Jennifer turned to face him fully, gathering her courage. “What happens to us?”
The question hung in the air between them. Noah’s expression remained unreadable, but she saw the subtle tightening of his jaw, the way his hand gripped the edge of the mattress.
“Jen…” She loved it when he used the shortened version of her name. It felt intimate in a way her full name never did. “You know I can’t—we can’t—while I’m assigned to your protection.”
“But after?”
He looked at her then, really looked at her, his eyes searching her face as if memorizing every detail. “After might not be simple either. You’ll be rebuilding your life. Finding your footing.”
“I know who I am now,” she said firmly. “The woman in Paris—she wasn’t real. She was hiding. I don’t want to be her again.”
“And who are you now?” His voice had dropped lower, the professional distance slipping.
“Someone who’s tired of running. Someone who’s fallen in love with her bodyguard, as terribly cliché as that sounds.” Jennifer gave a small, self-deprecating laugh, though her heart hammered in her chest. “I know it’s fast. I know it’s complicated. But I also know what I feel.”
Noah reached up, his calloused fingers brushing her cheek with unexpected tenderness. “It’s not just you,” he admitted quietly. “But my job—your safety—must come first right now. You understand that, don’t you?”
She nodded, leaning slightly into his touch. “I understand. But I needed you to know. Before whatever happens tomorrow, or the next day. Before the trial.”Before I lose my chance to tell you.
A sound from outside broke the moment—a car pulling into the parking lot, its headlights sweeping across their window. Noah was instantly on his feet, gun in hand, moving to the window with fluid precision despite his injury.
“Stay back,” he ordered, all softness gone from his voice as he peered through the curtain. “Black sedan. Two men.”
Jennifer’s heart stuttered as she slipped off the bed, reaching for her bag. “Skinner?”
“Can’t tell.” Noah was already checking the clip in his weapon. “But we’re not taking chances. There’s a back exit through the bathroom window. I’ll cover you.”
“Noah.” Jennifer caught his arm as he turned toward her. Without hesitation, she pulled him down into a fierce kiss, her hand curving around the back of his neck, pulling him close. He responded immediately, his arm circling her waist, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss with an intensity that left no doubt about his feelings.
When they broke apart, breathless, she looked up at him with determined eyes. “That wasn’t goodbye,” she whispered. “That was a promise.”
A rare smile touched his lips, transforming his face. “Then let’s make sure we’re around to keep it.” He pressed the car keys into her palm. “If we get separated, and you can’t contact one of my brothers, head for New Orleans. Find Gator.”
Jennifer nodded, committing this precious memory, this moment, into her heart. The warmth of his hand around hers, the resolved set of his features, the knowledge that whatever happened next, something irreversible had changed between them.
Noah watched the black sedan pull into a parking spot further down the row from their room, and the two men got out, opened the trunk and took out a suitcase, and unlocked the door of a room nearly at the end of the row and walk inside.
Not a threat.
The sound of footsteps on the walkway outside their door sent them both into motion. A sharp knock pounded on their door, and Noah pushed the curtain aside the tiniest amount, and looked outside, before letting out a sigh.
“It’s Caleb.” Opening the door, he motioned his brother into the room.
“Time to get moving, bro. I’m going to hang with you guys for the next couple days, and the rest of the family is going to split up and stay away from the homestead until Jennifer’s back safe in New Orleans. Plan is to keep moving, keep shuffling up towns and locations where we stay, until it’s time to get this pretty lady to testify. Uncle Gator is going to keep tabs on the Amirs’ and keep us posted if anything pops.” Caleb smiled her way, and Jennifer felt heat flood her cheeks.
“You don’t need to come—”
“Shut up, Noah. I don’t want to hear any lip from you. Uncle Gator and the rest of us agree, you are not doing this alone. Scott was going to come with us, but he’s got to head back and handle some emergency. I didn’t get all the details, but he’s being a bit mysterious. I know it’s something personal. Anyway, take the backup we can give you to keep Jennifer safe. It doesn’t look like Skinner’s figured out where we are yet, so we’ve caught a break, but there are still several days before y’all need to be at the courthouse. Between the two of us, and with Uncle Gator providing Intel, we should make it.”
Jennifer walked forward and took Caleb’s hand in hers. “Thank you. I know nobody was expecting to have to deal with my mess when Noah took on the job as my bodyguard, didn’t expect to drag his family into this job, but I’m glad he has you he can count on. And I appreciate your offer of assistance.”
Noah pulled his brother in for one of those awkward man hugs, the kind where they pound each other on the back, before turning him loose. The affection between them, between the whole family, was evident in everything they did, and she felt a wave of homesickness flood her. She missed her mother, wanted to talk to her, to see her. But while the Amirs were still a threat, her mother had to stay hiding.
“Thanks. We’re ready. Probably should hit the road.” Noah grabbed the duffle his family had brought them, with a change of clothing for both him and Jennifer inside. She looked around the room, the memories of everything that had happened since the early morning hours still fresh in her mind. Especially the kiss. She’d never forget that kiss.
“My bags already in the trunk. I’ve got the spare keys. I’ll drive so you can get some rest. Doubt you’ve had much sleep since this whole mess started.” Caleb winked at Jennifer. “You too, little missy.”