She seemed to relax a bit at Jake’s words. “I think I feel better knowing how good Dover’s security is.”
Jake opened the duffel bag and started taking out the equipment inside. “The security team has been working overtime since the death threats. We increased security at Dover offices, got guards for senior staff members, and made sure that everyone else on the staff has been accounted for. If a single staff member feels threatened, we do everything to protect them. It doesn’t matter if they’re an executive or part of the custodial staff, we take care of our own.”
This was why Simon had opted to go with Dover’s security over the police. The cops would never have looked out for staff the way the company’s security team did. They took round-the-clock calls from panicked staff, even checked homes of staff members to put them at ease. No police force could provide that kind of service.
As the van rumbled toward their destination Jake placed a digital wire and a small, discreet camera on Simon. That way, Jake could watch and listen in on the money exchange. Simon would also be able to hear Jake’s instructions without the kidnappers knowing.
Simon ignored the way his stomach lurched as he went over the plan in his head. It didn’t matter if he’d never done anything remotely this dangerous before. Getting his father back safely was the most important thing. Then he’d be able to unmask these guys, and hopefully get them into a jail cell before the night was over.
“Do you still think someone from Dover is responsible?” she asked.
“I do,” Jake replied. “People are usually betrayed by people they know. That knowledge is a part of the security business, unfortunately.”
Heather sighed as if she knew that all too well. She probably did, considering how she’d been framed by a Dover executive and mistreated by her lousy ex-husband. “So, you’ve ruled out the documentary producers once and for all?”
“I haven’t totally ruled them out, though we’ve kept a discreet eye on them since the kidnapping,” Jake said. “All we’ve been able to observe is them begging to get access to staff so they could do interviews about the kidnapping.”
“That’s not very suspicious, since reporters have been messaging me non-stop since the kidnapping.” She frowned. “They ignored our request for privacy.”
“I knew they would. They’re all vultures,” Simon said bitterly. The worst ordeal of his life was nothing more than tabloid fodder. He was grateful that Heather had been fielding those calls, because he would probably have said something regrettable if a reporter ever got in touch with him.
Finally, the van stopped in front of the park.
“We’re here,” Jake said.
There were still hours left until the exchange, but this was part of the plan. Now that they were here, they’d stake out the location to get ahead of the kidnappers. It would give them an advantage, and access to an escape route if things escalated.
Simon started to test the equipment with Jake, making sure that the audio and the camera were working. Once they were satisfied that everything was working correctly, they got in touch with two other Dover vans that were currently on their way. The kidnappers had only mentioned not wanting police around, and having discreet backup security might help to even the odds against the unknown.
As the tense hours crept by the other vans arrived, and Dover security personnel began sweeping the perimeter, searching for any suspicious activity. In the meantime, they ate portable meals in the van and Simon went over the plan again with Jake.
“This car has been parked across the street for the last hour and nobody has gotten out,” the driver said from his vantage point up front. “Seems suspicious. Most of the people who come out here at this hour are joggers and people taking their dogs out for late-night walks in the park.”
“I’ve got twenty more minutes until the exchange,” Simon said as he glanced at his watch. “I can head into the park and wait inside.”
Jake nodded. “Okay. You take two of the briefcases with you and one of the security guards in the othe
r van will cover you discreetly. I’ll keep an eye on the suspicious car and keep you up to speed on anything suspicious.”
His insides churned. This was the moment of truth. The moment in life that almost made him believe that he had to do everything by himself. That nobody was in his corner. But these past several months had showed him a different way to live. He didn’t have to shut the world out. Didn’t have to shoulder life’s burdens on his own. Not when he had Heather with him.
Despite the danger, she had volunteered to come with him.
His gaze locked on hers as she flashed him a strained, but encouraging, smile. She was the real reason he was doing this. If he couldn’t protect his family, then what kind of man was he? This wasn’t only about impressing his father or making him proud. This was about Heather. Her ex-husband hadn’t protected her or their son. Gary had almost destroyed his family and then watched as everything had crumbled around them.
Simon refused to let his family go to ruin. Refused to let anyone dare harm his loved ones. He was going to get his father back safely and make these people pay. Tonight was his way of showing the world that nobody was going to get away with messing with his family. Maybe it was pride and ego that had led him to this moment. Maybe it was his own hard-headed stubbornness. Either way, he didn’t care. His love for his family had brought him to this point. His love for his father, for Heather, and for Finn had taught him that he was the one they all looked to. He was the leader. Now, he was going to make sure he didn’t let them down.
“I love you,” he told her, hoping this wasn’t going to be the last time he’d ever say those words.
Her hazel eyes were still locked on his, her gaze unwavering. As unwavering as her love for him. Right now, that love was what was fueling him. What was giving him the guts to face this kind of danger in the dark of night.
“I love you, too,” she breathed.
He let himself drink her in, memorizing every line of her face. Time seemed to slow to a halt as he took in the exact shade of her golden eyes, memorized every freckle on her creamy skin, mentally measured the length of every strand of her auburn hair. Her lips were the last part of her that he focused on, and he was so overcome by how beautiful she was that he brought his lips down to hers.
She responded by wrapping her arms around his shoulders, her inviting mouth letting him in. Her lips were soft beneath his. Their tongues met, and tasting her was like taking one final breath before going under. Groaning, he tipped her head back, deepening the kiss. What had started out as tender turned into a scorching demand as he branded her with his mouth. Claimed her with his tongue. No matter what happened tonight, she was his. Now and forever. That knowledge would get him through the most dangerous part of this ordeal.
When she moaned, it was then that he remembered they weren’t alone. He had gotten so caught up in kissing her goodbye that he’d forgotten there were other people in the van with them. With his heart still heavy, he tore his lips from hers.