Page 19 of Rescuing Josiah
“Yes.”
“I'm Chelsea, I work with Josiah.” She couldn’t mention the undercover operation they were on. Not only was it sensitive intel not to be shared with anyone outside those involved, she didn't know how close Josiah was with his mom and whether he’d told her he was undercover. She certainly didn't want to worry his mother, who had already almost lost her baby boy once before.
“Why are you answering my son’s phone?” Mrs. Fleet asked. It wasn't that she sounded angry about it, if anything she sounded worried, and definitely confused.
“Josiah is in the shower.” When the woman gasped, she realized how that sounded and rushed to explain. “Oh, that came out weird. I didn't mean it like it sounded. We’re not together or anything. Like a couple. Definitely not a couple. We’re just working, it’s complicated. I’ll go get him,” she finished lamely as she started up the stairs, realizing she’d just babbled like a fool to the mother of the man she was hopelessly in love with.
A soft chuckle came down the line. “It’s okay, dear. You sound very sweet. If you could get my boy for me that would be wonderful.” The woman’s voice hitched on that last word and Chelsea wondered what that was about.
“Of course. I'm heading upstairs now. I’ll knock on the door and let him know you’re on the phone. He can either hop right out or call you back.”
“No!” Mrs. Fleet yelled. “I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to shout. Would you please make sure you give him the phone without the option to hang up and call me back?”
“Umm … sure. Yes, of course.” She had no idea why it was important, but maybe his mom really had called because there was some sort of family emergency. “I’m just at the bedroom door now and I can hear the shower still running. Hold on for a moment and I’ll pass you over.”
Lowering the phone, Chelsea eased open the door. The bedroom was empty as she had expected, and she crossed it to knock on the door to the attached bathroom.
“Josiah?” she called out. “Your mom is on the phone.”
After waiting a few seconds and not getting an answer, she put her hand on the doorknob. She wouldn't look at him, that would be totally unprofessional and definitely violating, but she knew the layout of the bathrooms because she’d alreadyexplored the entire house. If she only opened the door a crack and kept her head turned to the side, she wouldn't be able to see anything she shouldn’t.
“Josiah,” she called out again as she edged the door open a couple of inches. “Your mom is on the phone. She wants to talk to you. I think it might be important.”
The water shut off, and the next thing she knew, the door was ripped out of her hand, startling her. She snapped her head around to look at him, only for her mouth to drop open in shock.
He wasn't naked.
Well, not completely.
Everything down below was hanging out for all to see, but he was wearing a Kevlar vest that was dripping with water.
Had he worn it in the shower?
Why would he do that?
“What the hell are you doing in here? And why did you answer my phone?” he snarled at her as he snatched it out of her hand.
From the rage simmering in his voice, maybe she should rethink her whole Josiah would never hurt her idea.
Chapter
Six
May 13th
3:22 P.M.
His mom was on the phone.
Chelsea was standing before him, eyes wide, face pale.
Water streamed down his body.
Other than the body armor, he was naked.
Not that Josiah cared, that was the least of his problems right now.
What the hell had Chelsea been thinking, answering his phone?
