Page 16 of The Ranger (Black Hawke Security #5)

COLE

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Y esterday the Erbium arrived in stock. I waited for Chen to update the Project Helix team, but he never did.

He still hasn’t, and it's now Tuesday afternoon.

I bribed one of the production workers, Salina, to tell me when the prototype line began production. She messaged me late Monday afternoon, and I was down there seven minutes later.

Her eyes flashed to mine and then down to the short run of products moving along the conveyor belt.

Jesus, that was fast.

Glancing around, I walked past, slipping a hundred into the palm of her lowered hand and lifted my 007 pen, taking some pictures of the prototype chip.

“Good work,” I said, then headed out the door.

I’ve been in three meetings with Chen since Monday, and not once has he mentioned that the prototype is in production.

Our BHS team has eyes on every move he makes, but that still doesn’t help us. He’s done nothing illegal except not communicated.

We need proof that we can hand over to authorities.

I head back down to production and find Chen. He looks more stressed than I’ve seen him, clearly feeling the pressure.

“Hey, Reynolds, what can we do for you?” He looks nervous, sweat drops visible on his forehead.

Interesting.

“A tropical island holiday in the Caribbean would be awesome if you’re offering, Chen.” I wander closer and nod at the open boxes near the production line. “What’s going on here today?”

I can’t tell if they are the prototypes, but I know the items were boxed up and are sitting in his office. They were only one hundred of them produced, and they’re very small.

The team will not take their eyes off them, and he’s likely feeling the pressure of how to get them out.

His cheeks turn red.

“Normal everyday production.” He crosses his arms.

“Do we have the prototypes manufactured yet?”

“Of course not. I have to go. Offsite meeting.”

Chen has just outright lied to my face. He hasn’t told anyone they’ve created them, and there has to only be one reason he’d do that.

He’s our mole.

I’m sure of it now.

I have a weapon in a holster under my jacket, but acting now would not solve anything. We need to follow him as he leaves breadcrumbs to his larger operation.

We need to expose their entire operation.

“Sorry, shouldn’t just turn up like this. I have a meeting with the boss myself.” I lift my wrist and tap my watch. “See you tomorrow.”

Chen holds my gaze, his flippant personality from the past week or so gone. His eyes are dark as he nods goodbye. Then he turns back to me and says, “Take care, Cole.”

The hairs on the back of my neck lift at what sounds like a threat.

Take care, Cole.

I leave the plant and head straight to Nathan’s office.

“Cole, sorry, he’s in a meeting.” Jan, his PA says, but I ignore her and walk straight into his office with a brief knock.

Nathan, along with the two men he’s meeting with, look surprised at the sudden intrusion. We lock eyes, and the CEO stands immediately.

“Sorry everyone, we need to cut this short.”

The visitors gather their things and shake hands, then walk out, while Jan remains standing in the doorway unsure what to do.

“Close the door. No one comes in,” Nathan orders her.

“Yes, sir.”

I grab a pen and notepad as I do the zipped lip thing. We did a bug check, but this is not worth the risk.

It’s Chen, I write.

“Fuck,” Nathan shakes his head, running a hand through his graying hair. “What do I do?”

I pull out my phone and type a message to Josh, giving him a quick update and asking for his advice on how to proceed.

Bring Dr. Whitaker to the BHS offices. The security team will watch Chen while we discuss next steps.

I show Nathan the message, and he grabs his jacket and briefcase, and we head out the door. Walking through the office, I don’t know what I’m expecting. A fucking bomb. Chen to jump out with a shotgun.

A few of the BHS guys glance my way casually, but I know they’ve already been updated.

When we’re inside my car, we both let out a breath.

“Goddamn.” Nathan clenches his fists. “Do you know how many times I lay awake telling myself I was a racist asshole for suspecting Chen?”

“I get it.”

Paying attention to the road, I drive us towards the office and go over all the facts in my head.

“I mean, is he actually North Korean?” His hands lift in question.

Nathan is feeling betrayed and probably a bit fucking terrified right now. I truly do get it. What QuantumCore does is far more dangerous than making orange juice.

We will have to loop in the authorities, but I’ll leave that shit to Josh and Aidan. My job is to get Nathan to the BHS offices so we can work out our next step and keep the doctor safe.

My mind flickers to Scarlett again for the tenth time today. She isn’t taking my calls. I’m pissed, but I’m giving her space.

We are about to become parents, and our relationship is getting complicated. Feelings I never expected are growing—fast—and I know she’s going into protective mode. Of the baby and her heart.

We have time.

This is nearly over, so once it’s wrapped up, I’ll show up at her house and make her sit down and talk to her.

I’m not stupid; I’m taking chocolate.

That is, unless she gives birth immediately, in which case my plan sucks.

Right now, I’m consumed by this job and the escalation happening.

A few days away from one another is a good thing. It will give Scarlett and me time to think about what we both want. I’m clear now, but she needs to work out what she wants.

I know she wants my cock, but will she admit her feelings and let us be a couple? For us, for our baby?

I glance back at Nathan, then at the road again.

Something is bothering me.

Scarlett never goes completely radio silence on me like this. As sassy as she is, she’ll always reply to let me know they are both okay.

I respect that.

Do you love me, Cole?

Yes, Scarlett, I think I fucking do, and in a few days' time I’m going to change both our lives by telling you.

Not going to lie, I’m more nervous about that than anything I did as an Army Ranger. Or since.

I have to focus.

We have the rest of our lives together, I hope, to fall in love and build our family.

“Listen, his name probably isn’t even Chen. He’ll have multiple identities and passports. Those chips are tiny as fuck, so we have to play this right, or he could slip out of grasp.”

The team will follow him, but that plan isn’t foolproof.

Not wanting to raise suspicions, we told Whitaker’s PA we were heading to a meeting.

“We’re going to visit a new startup.” I winked at Jan, who blushed.

“Looks like I double-booked, Jan. My apologies,” Nathan followed along. “See you tomorrow if we don’t make it back today.”

“Have a great afternoon, gentlemen.” She turned back to her computer with a roll of her eyes. “Next time just email me, as I’ve told you a million times, Dr. Whitaker.”

“Will do. I owe you another coffee.”

“Yes, you do.” Jan gives me a smile as the elevator door closes.

Nathan is still freaking out. Rightly so.

“Fuck.” Nathan pulls out his phone. “I need to call my contacts in the military and tell them.”

“Wait,” I grab his arm. “Nothing has moved off the plant. Let’s not raise alarm bells and fuck this up by getting them involved.”

I’m not sure that’s my call, but until we get to BHS head office, I can’t let him do anything. Josh will know how to guide him.

Nathan drops the phone in his lap and stares out the window. “I can’t believe this is happening. I don’t want to be responsible for a fucking world war.”

Neither do I.

I plant my foot, and twenty minutes later I’m sliding into my parking space outside the office.

“Let’s do this,” I say, climbing out.

We meet Josh at the top of the stairs, where he greets Nathan with a handshake and introduces him to Aidan and Marshall.

“Dr. Whitaker,” Aidan says.

“Call me Nathan,” he replies, and we follow the three men into the boardroom. Penny appears with a couple of jugs of water and glasses, then quickly disappears.

“Hey, dude.” Marshall grips my hand, and does that back slap thing. “Any day now, huh?”

I’m going to be a dad.

I shove down the nagging thoughts that keep interrupting my focus. It’s only been a few days. I need to get a hold of myself.

Or maybe I should go over tonight if I’m free to do so.

“About three weeks.”

“You going to be there when she gives birth?” Marshall asks.

“Hell yeah. Not missing that for the world.” I grin.

“I dunno, I’d be terrified. Scarlett is scary on a normal day, but giving birth? Dude, make sure she’s not armed.” Marshall laughs.

I smile at his joke, but the thing about Scar is she’s like a porcupine. Spiky, but underneath she’s soft and fluffy. She just doesn’t show it to many people.

She’s showed me.

She didn’t need to, and I know there is a lot more she’s hiding, but the thing is, I want to know it all. I want to be the man she packs away her spikes for and lets in.

I want a lot of things, I’m realizing.

“So, what about you? Ready for the big day this weekend?” I ask Marshall while Nathan chats to Josh and Aidan.

“Ready to stop hearing about place settings and fucking candles,” Marshall chuckles. “But yeah, life is good, you know.”

I’m happy for him.

“Ryder steps into the door and takes a seat next to me, nodding at Nathan when he’s introduced.

“Let’s get started.” Josh closes the door. “My sense is we are running out of time.”

Why do I feel that comment also relates to me and Scarlett?