Page 40 of Rescuing Josiah
Buzzing had his hand snatching back, his pulse spiking, before he realized it was just his phone that he’d switched to silent when they got into bed, vibrating with a message on the nightstand.
Reluctantly, he rolled over to grab it, trying not to disturb Chelsea. She needed the sleep, and it could be nothing important.
“Hey,” he said when he picked it up, noting that Luca “Bear” Jackson’s name was on his screen. Bear was the team leader of Prey’s Alpha Team and was providing support and surveillance for him and Chelsea while they were undercover. Alpha Team was set up in a house across the street, but they would only intervene if absolutely necessary.
“Hey, sorry for the wake-up call,” Bear said.
“Wasn't asleep.”
“Good, because you're about to have visitors. Van just pulled up right outside your house, four men are getting out. We ran the tags, and the vehicle is registered to a Dr. Gant who works at the clinic,” Bear told him.
“Guess we know how they make contact now,” he said. He’d just been wondering and worrying over what to expect from the clinic, and now he knew. They were going to raid his place in the middle of the night. Not sure what they hoped to achieve by that, but then again, the clinic had to make sure that the people they sold black-market organs to couldn’t go to the police. Maybe this was meant to be an intimidation technique.
“We’re watching things, but I don’t think they’re going to hurt you guys. Possibly rough you up a bit to send a message of what will happen if you double-cross them, but I doubt they’llhurt Chelsea, can't if they want their money. You know what to do if you need us.”
With that, Bear was gone, and Josiah immediately set his phone down and leaned over to grasp Chelsea’s shoulder.
“Wake up, Chels,” he murmured.
“Mmm … go way,” she grumbled, batting a hand at him and making him smile.
“Can't. Need you to wake up for me.” This time, he shook her a little harder. While she was going to have to act scared, he wanted to give her a head-up and he had minutes at most before those four men would be inside the townhouse. There were some cameras set up in the living room and kitchen, providing both video and sound to Alpha Team. He’d activate them as soon as they were taken down there, easy enough done since they were voice-activated, so he wasn't worried about what would happen there tonight, but Chelsea didn't have his experience.
“Sleepin’,” she mumbled.
Her cute, little annoyed voice made him laugh. “Sorry, Chels, you have to wake up, we’re about to have company.”
That got her moving. “Company?”
When she sat up, letting the covers dip enough, he got a glimpse at all that creamy skin he’d touched last night, since her tank top did little to cover much of anything.
Not the time to get distracted.
“Bear just called. Four men from the clinic outside the house.”
“Here? Now? Why?”
“We’re about to find out.”
“What do we do?”
“Nothing. We lie here in bed, pretend to be asleep, and do everything they ask of us. Chances are they’re going to be careful with you, maybe not so much with me.” Josiah wanted her to beas prepared as possible for what was about to happen, and he didn't want her freaking out if they roughed him up a little.
“They’re going to hurt you?”
“Maybe. Whatever they do I can take. All you have to do is keep playing the part you’ve done perfectly so far. You can do this.” While he’d initially been skeptical about Chelsea’s ability to go undercover, she’d done everything she needed to, and he had no choice but to admit she’d been an asset.
“I won't let you down,” she vowed solemnly.
“And I will do whatever it takes to protect you,” he promised. This case was important, the ring needed to be dismantled, but Chelsea still came first.
Her hand cupped his cheek, fingers gently stroking his temple. “I know that. I trust you, Josiah. Always.”
While he couldn’t help but feel that trust was misplaced, he nodded. Then because he was supposed to be her husband, he leaned in and brushed a quick kiss to her lips, before guiding her back down to rest her head on the pillows. “Showtime.”
May 16th
1:47 A.M.
