Free Intimate Knowledge by Elizabeth Lapthorne Page A

least when she spoke with him.
    “I might be compromised. We need to meet.”
    “Now? We’re supposed to be incommunicado. Meeting wasn’t in our plan.”
    Her tone was not dismissive—indeed, she sounded curious more than upset or unresponsive. David didn’t look away from the townhouse. Mobile phones were notoriously poorly secured and he wanted to check no lights went on suddenly, indicating his line might be tapped. He also knew neither of them could go into details unless they were face to face. There was no other way to ensure both their secrecy and safety.
    “Can I come to you?” he asked again.
    There was a pause. David could almost hear her working out the odds, weighing her options just as he had moments earlier. “Always. I’ll expect you soon.”
    Thick, hot satisfaction rolled through him when she finally answered, “Until then.”
    “Stay safe.”
    They disconnected simultaneously. David continued to gaze at the dwelling over the street, a new plan already forming in his head. Their timetable needed to be moved up. Feelers needed to be sent out to gauge other contacts’ reactions to this woman’s stumbling into something far greater than she could imagine in her wildest dreams.
    David had nothing against her. A part of him wanted no harm to come to her, for she seemed like an innocent in all this.
    He had a much larger plan in progress, however. More importantly, she wasn’t his top priority. One thing he’d learnt in this game, everyone looked after their own interests. He wasn’t as selfish as many, he had not fallen that low, but that didn’t mean he was willing to risk his treasure for her either.
    As he turned away, started back down the street to meet his lady, he hoped this woman’s bodyguard—the large black man—loved her even half as much as he loved his partner.
    Lifting his face up to the inky black sky, David breathed deeply, the icy air catching at the back of his throat. It was going to be a long night, a hard one. The knowledge he had someone by his side not matter what made him grin.
    He wasn’t alone. He had someone guarding his back.
    They’d reconfigure their plan and with luck not drop any of the balls they juggled. Something he’d learnt well about his lady—she hated to lose and never gave up. It was one of the things that constantly gave him hope that one day they’d be more than co-workers. He wanted to be life-partners in full.
    David doubled back and checked his tail. He’d been taught by the best, he had no fear anyone was as good as him. Tonight, however, he would use extra precautions.
    The last thing he wanted was to bring danger to her door.
    He only hoped the strange, innocent woman and her chosen bodyguard were competent enough to stay alive and see their way out of this mess.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Jennifer focused on the narrow dirt track as she drove towards the clearing she’d used previously as her campsite.
    “Right,” Saul agreed as he spoke on his phone. “Yes, Preston, I think you should track him and his partner down. They could have information we need, or hell, they’re obviously criminals. This is the sort of shit we’re supposed to handle, right?”
    Jennifer could see Saul rolling his eyes. She had to smother her giggles, knowing it was his boss he spoke to on his phone.
    “Yes. You’ve mentioned that. And that. Okay, we’re here, Preston. Look, I’ll call you later.”
    Jennifer glanced to the side as Saul snapped his phone shut, ending the call.
    “Is it wise to hang up on your boss?” she asked, more curious than concerned.
    Saul shrugged and pocketed the small device. “I’m almost regretting going to him to try to track down Ginger and his mate.”
    “Earlier you said Preston didn’t think he could use the description I gave? That is was too generic?”
    Saul grimaced and cast her an apologetic look. “Preston got curious, asked around and ran the image we worked up through the Agency database. Ginger is