Five Dates with the Billionaire - Alyssa J. Montgomery Page 0,75

the Stewart Corporation building. We have agents here, here, here and here.’ He drew little crosses to indicate the positions. ‘Fifteen minutes ago, Sully entered this building.’ He drew a box to indicate the building directly opposite Connor’s office block. ‘We’ve confirmed he’s set up on the rooftop and he’s not there for surveillance. He has his weapon and a good view of the entrance to this building.’

Nausea swirled in Mia’s stomach. ‘Can’t you arrest him?’

‘We can arrest him for possession of a firearm in a public place but it’s not enough,’ the agent said. ‘We need to catch him in the act.’

Breathing became impossible.

Connor’s arm tightened around her shoulders as panic seized her. They both knew what was coming next.

‘Very soon I’ll have our own sniper in position in this building over here.’ He drew another square on the paper.

‘That’s a fair distance away,’ Connor said.

‘It’s the closest building that’s taller than the one Sully’s on.’ The agent cleared his throat. ‘It’s well within range, there’s no wind, and our man will have a clear shot.’

‘Your plan?’ Connor demanded.

‘Mia, you’re going to be fitted with a bulletproof vest.’

Dread leeched through her.

Connor jumped to his feet. ‘You’re not going to use her as bait. No way!’

‘It’s the only way,’ Carlisle argued. ‘The whole thing will be filmed. The evidence will be irrefutable.’

‘It’s too bloody risky!’ Connor yelled. ‘For Christ’s sake, Carlisle! A bulletproof vest is all well and good, but what if he goes for a headshot?’

‘He’s never made a headshot before. He always hits the heart.’

Mia sat in silence, unable to stop the tremors that shook her from head to toe.

‘Listen to me,’ Carlisle continued. ‘Sully won’t even get to squeeze the trigger. The second Mia comes out of the building and Sully is filmed taking aim, our sniper will fire. He’ll be taken out—not killed. Operatives are in place inside the building even now and they’ll swarm and grab him the second he’s hit.’

Mia finally found her voice. ‘You expect Sully to turn on Giovanni?’

‘There’s evidence on that USB you located that will send him to trial in some states that still have the death penalty. I think he’ll give up Lucetti.’

‘If you’ve got the evidence, move in and arrest him now!’ Connor demanded.

‘If we can’t get anyone else to turn on Lucetti and implicate him in the murder of your mother, an attempt on your life should convince a jury that Lucetti wants you dead because you were an eyewitness. We follow my plan. We get video evidence of the crime. This way we’re not relying on computer records or a witness statement. The jury will see the attempt on Mia’s life themselves and there’ll be no reasonable doubt in any of their minds about his intention.’

It made sense. She didn’t want it to, but it did. ‘I hope it goes without saying that your sniper is the best there is?’

‘Mia, all I can tell you is that if you were my sister, I’d still be sending you out there at close of business today.’

‘Do you even have a sister?’ Connor asked angrily.

‘Connor, please.’ Mia tried to calm him. ‘Agent Roberts is on our side.’

‘Everything will be in place shortly,’ Carlisle said. ‘At five pm, we let the main rush of employees exit the building. Then—’

‘Provided they can’t possibly be mistaken for me,’ she cut in.

Carlisle agreed. ‘I spoke to the head of building security and have briefed him. He will stall the lifts for two and a half minutes to make certain there are no other employees exiting the building. During that time, you leave.’

Mia took a deep breath. ‘Okay.’

‘Darling, don’t. Please don’t do it.’ Connor dropped to the couch next to her.

‘I want a future with you, Connor. A future where we don’t have to keep looking over our shoulders every second of every day. I’m willing to do this for a chance to seize our future.’

‘We can hire more security.’ ‘No. That’s no way to live.’

‘Then we could both disappear,’ he said. ‘We could both join a witness protection program and be relocated.’

He had no idea what that meant. ‘You’d have to give up everything.’

‘You’ve fast become my world and I’m not prepared to give you up.’

Tears threatened to overwhelm her again. What he suggested was beyond her wildest dreams, but it was also impractical. She’d lived through the witness protection program and didn’t want to make him live that lie. Even if Connor loved her now, she didn’t want him to sacrifice all