Page 58 of Near Miss

His shoulders slumped like the air had been let out of them. His eyes slammed tight. When they reopened, the emotion in them stopped her breath. “Pack a bag. I’m taking you to stay with my pal Nathan whilst I’m in Kabul. He’s a former SEAL. Whoever tried to hurt you won’t get past him. Better yet, go home to your parents in Cincinnati until I’ve settled this matter.”

She frowned. “I can’t just up and leave my job. If I don’t handle the government report, someone else will, and they might discover what Fred did. Besides, I can help track those weapons purchases while you’re in Kabul and figure out who authorized them.”

Lachlan’s jaw set. “This isn’t your fight. I want you safe. What if the man who tried to hurt you last night comes after you again?” His gaze narrowed. “What if it’s someone at LAI? I won’t be around to protect you.”

An involuntary shiver hunched Sophia’s shoulders. “If it’s someone at LAI, they’ll know we’re onto them if I suddenly disappear. They may start covering their tracks, and we could lose our best opportunity to prove you didn’t authorize those shipments. I’ll be safe at the office with Jared around.”

Thunderclouds formed on Lachlan’s face at the mention of Jared’s name. “I’m sure he’ll stick to you like a barnacle on a ship’s hull,” he muttered, his tone taking on a sarcastic edge. “You’re most vulnerable when you’re going to and from work. That’s how Haider tracked you, and that’s why your assailant last night waited until you were driving home.”

The reminders sent her pulse skyrocketing, but it was too late to back down. She gentled her tone, trying to get Lachlan to see reason. “The only way we’ll both be safe is to find out who the real trafficker is and stop them. Emily is here with me. She can bring me to work, and I won’t go out and make myself a target until you get back. And I’m perfectly safe at home—mid-rise with a secure entrance, remember? I’ll keep the door locked and the alarm on.”

If it came down to it, one word to Admiral Dane, and she’d likely have an entire platoon of Navy SEALs at her door ready to escort her to the Danes’ Connecticut estate for safekeeping.

Of course, then she’d have to tell the admiral the truth. That instead of searching for evidence to prove Lachlan Mackay was an arms trafficker, she was suppressing evidence in order to prove his innocence. Oh, and sleeping with him as well.

Her stomach cramped.

“If I got past your lobby guard, someone else can, too.” Angry and frustrated, Lachlan was still hot, but this conversation was going nowhere.

She was saved from coming up with a counterargument when her front door slammed shut. Loudly.

“Hello? Do I need to find another errand to run?” Humor laced Emily’s words.

“No, we’ll be right out,” Sophia yelled back.

She scrambled for her clothing. Where were her bra and shirt? Oh, right. In the foyer where Lachlan had stripped them off her. Her face felt hot enough to fry an egg. There was no way Emily wouldn’t know what she and Lachlan had been doing.

By the time she’d pulled on a new top, Lachlan was fully dressed and still wearing an obstinate expression. On impulse, she threw her arms around him and pressed her lips to his. When she finally came up for air, she was breathless. “I’ll be fine. You go to Kabul and do what you need to do.”

Concern still shadowed his eyes. “Mind yourself, now. Don’t do anything risky.”

“I won’t, I promise.” She resisted an eye roll as Lachlan narrowed his gaze on her. “I mean it.”Stubborn man.

She followed him to her front door. Emily had ducked into her bedroom and made herself scarce, for which Sophia was thankful.

Lachlan retrieved his jacket from the floor. “Lock the door, set the alarm, and don’t let anyone in without checking to see who it is first.”

“Yessir.” She threw him a mock salute, hoping for at least a smile, but his scowl reminded her that he didn’t seem to possess a sense of humor.

All of a sudden, the reality of what they’d done hit her. She’d made love with Lachlan. She searched his eyes, looking for something, she wasn’t sure what. Reassurance? Affection?

His gaze softened. He brushed her lips in a gentle kiss. “I’ll see you on Monday before I leave.” His voice hardened. “Don’t go anywhere alone.”

She waited until he’d stepped into the elevator before locking her door and setting the alarm as promised.

Emily’s heeled boots tapped across the floor behind her.

Sophia braced her back against the door and let out a drawn-out sigh. “Is it too early for a drink?” So much had happened, and it wasn’t even lunchtime.

Emily snorted. “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” She cast a pointed look at Sophia’s shirt and bra lying crumpled on the floor. “You forgot something.” Then she marched to the kitchen, took down two champagne flutes from an upper cabinet, and grabbed orange juice from the fridge and a mini bottle of Prosecco from the bottom cabinet. “Sparkling wine first, a dash of juice for color, and voilà, breakfast of champions.”

She handed a flute to Sophia, then gestured toward the sofa. “You were right. Lachlan is hot. But he also is definitely an alphahole.”

Sophia took a sip of her drink before setting her glass on the coffee table.

Emily curled her long, jean-clad legs next to Sophia. She knocked back half her drink in one swallow. “So, miss prim and proper, any dirty little secrets you’d care to share with your best friend?”

“I’ve never seen him so rattled. One thing led to another….” Sophia trailed off, refusing to meet her friend’s knowing gaze.

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