was weird having a man so concerned about her safety. Her fellow agents at State generally treated her as an equal. They certainly wouldn’t bodily block her from coming out into a hallway until they’d ensured that it was safe.
“It’s clear,” he said in a low voice.
Ryker stepped aside, letting her come out. Emily locked her door and then followed him to the stairwell.
“It’s safer,” he said. “Plus there are cameras on the elevator.”
“Yep,” she agreed.
Ryker led the way, hauling both of their bags. She’d put on sneakers before they left, the rubber soles slapping against the steps as they hurried down. Her brief nap had given her a burst of energy—or maybe it was stealing away in the middle of the night with Ryker that had done that.
She’d be exhausted in the morning, no doubt, but at the moment? She was alert, fueled by adrenaline and the very real need to be aware of her surroundings.
They exited her building, both of them glancing around, and they hurried to the garage next door. Georgetown was alive late at night with bar hoppers and other party revelers walking around. Headlights filled the city streets, and it was an eerie feeling to be out so late surrounded by other people when she’d been stuck inside all alone for so long.
Would she get used to life in the city again?
It almost seemed too loud, too pulsing with energy and people. As crazy as it was to steal away to a remote cabin in the middle of the night, she had a feeling she’d be more comfortable there.
Ryker popped the trunk of his Jeep, putting their bags inside. He followed her over to the passenger side, opening the door for her. “I’m good,” she assured him, climbing up.
“And I’m making sure you’re safe,” he replied, shutting the door behind her.
Her lips quirked as he rounded the car. Goodness. He certainly was attentive even if there was no reason to be. She was a big girl and could get in the damn car by herself. She had her weapon on her and could kill a man if needed.
Still, Ryker’s attention was a little flattering. He was attractive and assertive—a heady combination. She liked that he knew what he wanted and just did it. Maybe kidnapping her wasn’t exactly the right thing to call it, but she knew without a doubt he’d do whatever was necessary to keep her safe. If she hadn’t willingly come, he would’ve carried her out. Of that she was certain.
Ten minutes later, and they’d exited the worst of the traffic and were heading toward another part of the city. Ryker kept glancing in his rearview mirror.
“You think we’re being followed?” she asked, looking over at him.
“Negative. Just being cautious.”
She nodded, watching traffic in the side mirror. Nothing out of the ordinary caught her attention.
“Does your SEAL team know we left?” she asked.
He grunted in reply. “Yep. Hunter’s the one that called with the new intel. He spoke to the CO. And of course State is aware. Hopefully this whole thing will be done with in a couple of days.”
She nodded, a brief feeling of sadness washing over her. She liked this feeling of Ryker at her side, as crazy as it was. When he’d burst into her room as she’d cried out, she hadn’t known what to think. Then he’d collected her so carefully in his arms—it was an odd contradiction, his strength and intensity compared with his more tender side.
Not that a man like him would want to be called tender—anything but.
She’d felt his concern for her though as he’d held her. In that moment, she hadn’t needed to be strong. She could let her guard down and let her tears fall as he just held her. And wasn’t that a change from her life in captivity.
A few minutes later, as they headed out of DC and onto the highway heading west of the city, she was already yawning.
“Sleep,” Ryker instructed. “You’ve been through a lot, and we’ve got at least two hours of driving. I know where I’m going, so just get some rest.”
“I’m fine,” she insisted, stifling another yawn.
“You’re recovering,” he said, his voice gruff. “Only one of us needs to be awake to drive. I’ll wake you up if it’s urgent,” he assured her.
“You’re so bossy,” she said, and Ryker chuckled.
“I like being in control of the situation. Nothing wrong with that.”
“According to whom?” she asked, and he burst into laughter, the deep sound reverberating inside the