“I’m staying,” Beth said as the men came out of the bedroom. She'd heard the low murmur of their whispers, but she hadn't been able to decipher the actual words. Not that it took much imagination to figure it out.
Someone wanted her dead. She could either run, or stand and fight. Neither option thrilled her. Still, she'd made her decision.
She waited for them to say something, to start with the rationalizations, the manipulation, the bargaining, but it didn't come. Both men stared at her, implacable.
Maybe she needed to go further. “These people are bad, aren't they?”
“Yeah,” Alex said.
“They're not above going after the people that I care about to get to me, are they?”
“No,” Agent Ryman said. His voice was even, but she heard a slight hint of admiration. Not that she cared. She wasn't doing this so anyone would think highly of her.
“Then I'm staying.”
A muscle in Alex's jaw twitched, but he didn't move any closer. He stayed just outside the doorway. His arms were crossed in front of his chest. Whatever conclusion he and Agent Ryman had reached in the other room, it was pretty obvious that he didn't like it. Her declaration wasn't doing much to brighten his mood either.
“I'm glad that you feel that way, because we can use you,” John Ryman said. He took the seat across from the bed.
Alex grunted with irritation. This was the first time that she had seen him this way, the first chink that she’d glimpsed in his heavy armor. It dawned on her that it was the first time that she was seeing him as his true self. He’d never quite fit into the mold that she had tried to cast for him, neither as Charlie or the nameless car thief.
But Agent Tanner fit him perfectly. She was still uneasy with the skill and lack of hesitation with which he had dispatched the man who tried to kill her. But at least he was on her side. That counted for something. Who was she kidding? Right now it counted for a whole hell of a lot.
Beth switched her attention to Agent Ryman as he explained the plan to have her continue her role of bridesmaid, luring the traitor out into the open. It was a decent plan, even if the idea of being human bait made her stomach churn.
“Alex will stay by your side every moment,” John said.
Beth turned toward him.
“I promised to keep you safe, and I'm going to do that,” he said. He didn't seem too happy about it. Beth knew a guilty face when she saw one.
“Thanks,” she said. His jaw twitched again. Apparently, he wasn't much interested in having that guilt assuaged.
“We'll also be putting a full team into the hotel for the rest of the weekend,” John said. “You may not see us, but rest assured, we’ll be there.”
Beth’s life had turned upside down. Now she had a bodyguard instead of a pretend boyfriend. It was a covert operation instead of her best friend's wedding.
“You just let us know if you need anything,” Agent Ryman said, standing up.
“A cheeseburger,” Beth said.
“Excuse me?” John Ryman said.
“You just said to tell you if I need anything. I need a cheeseburger. And fries.”
John gave her a slow nod.
“With bacon,” she added.
Alex raised his eyebrows.
“What? I was just nearly murdered in the street. On top of being scared and mentally exhausted, I'm starving. I think I deserve a little bacon.”
For the first time since he'd stepped into the room, Agent Ryman smiled. “I couldn't agree more, Miss Bradley. I'll see what I can do for you.”
The men nodded at each other. Beth had no trouble hearing Agent Ryman’s whisper this time. “I’ve changed my mind. When all this is over, you should marry her.”
Chapter 7