Her ability to bring excitement to everything we've done only fuels my craving for her. We've dealt with some pretty rough terrain, two nights in the outdoors, and nothing substantial for food. Her positive attitude and willingness to help along the way is something I appreciate. Most women would be complaining, but Emilia hasn't complained once, even when she got bit by several bugs during our walk this morning.
I dip down and kiss her.
She laces her fingers in my hair and kisses me back, stoking every atom in me that makes me a man.
"Did I tell you I'm impressed with your survival skills?"
She beams. "You are?"
"Yep. You can come rough it with me any time."
She puts her lush lips on mine again.
I squeeze her ass. "Okay, ma belle. Time to make things happen." I release her, jimmy the lock, and open her door. She gets in, and I hotwire the truck. It starts right away.
She claps. "Look at your skills!"
I look at the gauge. "We're in luck. The tank is full."
"We should make it in time now, right?"
"What time do the banks close?"
Her face falls. She points to the dashboard. "Is that time correct?"
I glance at my watch, and my gut drops. "Yes."
Her voice is so low and full of worry, the hairs on my arm stand up. "Forty-five minutes."
I put the truck in reverse. "How far is your apartment from the bank?"
"A five-minute walk."
"I'll drive fast."
We spend the next half hour on the one-way lane. I call Gustave.
He answers in French. Since Emilia is with me, I speak in English.
"We aren't going to make it in time."
"Why not?"
"The bank will be closed."
"Then break in."
"To the bank? Are you crazy? I have no equipment or team with me."
He sighs. "Whatever you have to do, we need those files. If I don't have them, the ability to bring Louis to our side is gone."
"Why? How is this going to save us?"
"Trust me. Get me the files. I have to go." He hangs up.
"Shit."
"Malin, what if there is another solution?" Emilia asks.
I glance over. "What?"
"If Naomi took them to the station, her copies might be there."
"Wouldn't she have kept them with her?"
Emilia shrugs. "I'm not sure. She was supposed to meet with Ezra."
"But you aren't sure if she got there. All I know is they were kidnapping her in the parking garage."
"What if she did meet with Ezra? Or if she locked them in her desk drawer?"
There's an actual two-lane dirt road that has tire marks on it. I turn northeast. "It's easier to break into the station than the bank, I'm assuming?"
Emilia snorts. "I don't know a lot about how to do that, but my guess is yes? The station is open during crazy hours. We can probably walk right in."
"They don't have security?"
"Yes, but a few weeks ago, I overheard Naomi on the phone. She told Ezra they still hadn't fixed the fire exit. Employees were entering the building through it instead of going around the front and through security."
They will have cameras.
We have no other options.
Emilia can't go in.
Where can I hide her while I'm in there?
"Why are you quiet?" she asks.
"I'm trying to figure out where I can keep you safe while I get the folders."
"I'm going with you," she insists.
"No, you aren't. They will have security footage of the entire building, I bet."
"What's your point?"
"Do I need to spell it out for you?"
She turns in her seat. "You said I couldn't stay in Belize. Was that a lie?"
"Of course not."
"Then it doesn't matter. I'm not ever coming back, right?"
"Emilia—"
She raises her voice. "I'm not going anywhere you aren't. You're the only person who will protect me. And I know where Naomi and Ezra's offices are. We can get in and out quicker."
I growl and rub my face.
Emilia slides over and puts her hand on my thigh. "Malin, is it safe for me to be anywhere you aren't?"
I hate that I can't tell her yes.
"If anyone tries to harm me in any way, will you kill them?" she asks.
"Without hesitation."
"Then it's settled. I'm coming with you."
Her reasoning makes sense. I still don't like it. But I don't know how to keep her safe if she isn't with me.
I put my arm around her and kiss her head. "I need to get you to Omoa. You can't be put in these situations."
She stiffens.
What did I say?
"Malin, I don't want to go to Omoa."
"As soon as we get the folders and I send them to Gustave, I'm taking you to