A muscle jerked along Remy’s jaw. “You think that will happen?”
“I think I already told you where your weakness in control lies. This guy says the wrong thing to you, and it would be nice if you had some safeguards in place, so you didn’t go full volcanic explosion on him. If youdoattack him in a public place—with all those big, local players watching—even your connections to the Feds and the CIA might not stop you from getting tossed into a New Orleans jail, at least for a bit.”
Her hands were still on her hips. Tension hummed through her. “This is my fight.”
He stepped closer to her. “I’m fighting for you.”
I’m fighting for you, too, Remy.“If it’s really safe, then I go, too. Constantine is your backup and I’m—” Heck, what was she? “The distraction,” Jacqueline decided. “Preston won’t know what to think if I walk up to him like I’m not afraid.”
He edged even closer. “But you are afraid.”
Yes, she was. “I’m less afraid when I’m with you.”
“Fuck.”
Was that good? Or bad?
“Fine,” Remy snapped. “But you stay at my side the whole time. You go along witheveryword I say.”
Her heart slammed into her chest.
“And if I say…Exit,if I tell you to hit the exit at any time, you run like the devil himself is chasing you, got me?”
Sure, yes, she did. Got it. One hundred percent.
“Promise me,” he pushed. “No questions. When I give that code word, you leave, immediately, understand?”
“I do. And you’ll be leaving then, too, right?”
“Sure.” His gaze swept over her. “You know, if we’re going to the country club, how about we look the part?”
“I—” Her mind raced. “There are some dress pants and a sweater in my bag. Part of the stuff Constantine brought me. Pumps, too. I’ll go change.” She whirled away. Had almost reached the bags again when she stopped. She spun right back toward him. “This isn’t a trick? You’re not going to leave while my back is turned?”
“I’m waiting for you.”
“I’ll be fast.” She grabbed her bag and disappeared into the bathroom.
***
“You might want to change, too. If you’re so worried about clothing and all,” Constantine murmured. “I know how much of a concernfashionis for you.”
“Fuck off.”
Constantine grinned. But after studying Remy a moment, his grin faded. “What is it? You obviously sent her away so that we could talk.” He motioned toward Remy. “Talk.”
Remy glanced toward the closed bathroom door. “You should have just kept her here.”
“So you could have no backup in an unknown situation? So I would be far away and of absolutely no use to you if things went poorly? Um, nope. I like her plan better.” A pause. “Come to think of it, I really like her.”
Join the freaking club.
“And she likes you. When is the last time someone—other than my glorious self—cared if you were hurt or not?”
Remy’s jaw ached because he was clenching it too hard.
“Yep. That’s what I thought. So how about you trylettingsomeone care? Why not try letting her close and see what happens?”
When people got close to him, they tended to get hurt. Plus…She doesn’t know the real me.Unfortunately, though, she might be about to see him. “If this thing goes sideways—or even slightly diagonal—you get her out.She’sthe priority, understand? Until we have that bastard locked away, I want you watching her six, not mine. I can handle myself.”