Page 91 of Meet Cute or Your Money Back

My heart pounds. “It’s them.”

Fear flashes across her face, but I don’t give her time to react. I grip her wrist and pull her toward the far side of the room. I press my hand against the bookshelf, revealing the hidden panel behind it.

The thick, reinforced wood of the door shudders under the impact of someone trying to force their way in. Adrenaline surges, old habits kicking in.

“Dammit,” I curse softly. “Get into the panic room,” I instruct Allie, pointing to the hidden door behind the bookshelf.

“You have a panic room?!” she squeaks.

I roll my eyes. “Of course I have a panic room.” If we weren’t in so much imminent danger, her naivety would be fucking adorable. I start to close the door, but she shoves her foot in the way.

She shakes her head furiously. “No, wait! You have to get in here too!”

“They’re looking forme,not you. And if they don’t find me here, they probably won’t leave this office until they do. They’ll wait here to ambush me or Griffin or Hunter.”And while we might not be on active duty anymore, I’m still their commanding officer. There’s no way in hell I’m going to save myself only to put them at risk. “You’ll be safe in here,” I add, softer.

She grabs my arm, desperation in her grip. “Thatcher, please!” Her voice trembles, but there’s an edge of steel in it. She’s scared, but she’s not falling apart—not Allie.

With one hand, I cup her face, forcing her to look at me. And with the other, I squeeze her hand, still clutching Griffin’s business card. “Call Griffin and Hunter. They’ll know how to find me.”

Her lips part, but before she can argue, I press a hard kiss to her mouth. For a moment, it’s just me and her and the one thing between us that’s always been perfect—our chemistry.

Then I step back and hit the lock, sealing her inside.

But as the door starts to roll closed, Biscuit wriggles free from her grip. The little furball scrambles through the gap just before the door clicks shut.

“Biscuit!” I hear her cry.

“Stay in there!” I command, looking and speaking directly into the camera and microphone that I know she can hear me through. “I will make sure Biscuit is safe!”

I pull the faux bookshelf forward, covering the door from view. The office door shudders violently again, snapping me back to the immediate problem. No time for a pity party now. Biscuit skitters across the floor, his nails clicking against the hardwood. I scoop him up, his little heart pounding against my palm.

“Not your day either, huh?”

I rush over to my desk, opening the bottom drawer. I rip off the handle, allowing the drilled holes to give the little guy some air, then I stick him in the drawer.

“Stay here and stay quiet, you little menace.”

My eyes snag on the AirTag attached to his collar and I reach down to unclip it, sliding it into my pocket before shutting the little guy safely into the drawer.

The door finally gives way, splintering as two men barge in. Drakon’s eyes are like ice chips, but standing behind him isn’t Admiral Brady like Allie claimed. It’s Drakon’s second-in-command. The Enforcer And his eyes, in contrast, are like dull lead.

It’s the first time the Enforcer and I have been in a room together, even though we are both very aware of the other. I’ve been researching this man for years; I know every little thing about him.

“Where’s the girl?” Drakon demands, his eyes scanning the room, his gun level with my chest.

“Girl?” I feign confusion. “If you’re looking for a date, you know, you’ve come to the right place. I’m a matchmaker extraordinaire. Meet cute or your money back?—”

“Cut the crap, Bryant,” the Enforcer snarls, his weapon joining the party. “Your little reporter. We know she was here.”

“Sorry to disappoint.” I spread my arms wide, showcasing the empty room. “It’s just me and my dashing good looks. Shewashere, but we had a fight and she ran off out the back door.”

I sure as fuck hope they don’t call my bluff on that. There’s definitely no back door.

And judging from their sharp-as-glass glares, they don’t buy it. But they’re here for me; Allie’s merely collateral damage in their vendetta.

“You came for me, right?” I try to reason with them. “Well, you’ve got me.” There’s a casualness in my voice I’mfar from feeling. Inside, I’m all tight coils and ticking bombs.

Drakon nods at the Enforcer. “He’s right. Forget the girl, for now. I think we spooked her enough anyway.” I walk forward, sandwiched between their guns.

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