it in your backpack."
"I won't have easy access."
"Carry your bag in the front of you."
I snort. "All these years, and I never thought of that."
She grins. "See, you need me."
I kiss her. "I never said I didn't need you, ma belle."
Her sexy blush creeps into her skin.
"What is happening at the station at eight thirty at night?" I ask.
"Everyone will be getting ready for the ten o'clock news. I've only been to the station a few times at night, but everyone was preoccupied whenever I've brought Naomi dinner. And it's only about a fourth of the daytime staff."
I glance around us, but no one is on the street. "Are you nervous?"
Emilia's eyes shine. "A little."
"We still have time to find a place to hide you while I go in."
"No, we don't. And you admitted I'm safer with you than anywhere else."
I groan.
"Malin, we should go now."
How is she so calm when she's never done this before? I've been in war zones, and my stomach is pitching.
"Stay in the truck until I open your door."
"Yes, sir."
I slowly check her body out. "You can call me 'sir' later tonight."
She bites a smile.
I get out of the vehicle with my backpack and go around to the passenger's side. I open the door and hold my hand out.
"Is this your chivalrous side?"
"You're quite sassy today." I lead her to the door.
She reaches for it and pulls it open.
"Wow," I mutter. "Total lack of security."
"Yep."
"Let's make this fast. After you."
She steps in, and I slap her ass. She jumps and whispers, "Are you trying to make me lose my concentration?"
"Sorry. I'll behave. What floor is the station on?"
"Tenth."
Ten flights of looking at her pert little ass. I motion toward the top. "Lead the way."
We climb all ten floors. At the top of the staircase, I ask, "How far is Naomi's office?"
"Ezra and hers are both in the same area. I think we turn left, and it's only a few down."
"Good. Naomi's first then Ezra's if needed. Then we get out. If I instruct you to do anything, don't hesitate."
Her eyes brighten. She takes a deep breath and excitedly claims, "I'm ready."
Ma belle, what am I going to do with you?
I open the door. The office buzzes with people, but it's quieter than I expect. Employees are busy with computers at their cubicles, or milling around near the area where the news is recorded. Ezra is talking to several cameramen. Twenty feet down the hall is Naomi's office. We go in and shut the door.
Emilia gasps. "Why is this cleaned out?"
A metal desk sits in the middle of the room with nothing on it. I open the drawers, but they are all empty.
My gut drops. "Ezra was on the other side of the room. Let's get to his office quickly and see if he has anything."
Emilia scrunches her face. "You still haven't told me how you know him."
The air in the room becomes thicker. My pulse increases. "I'll tell you after. Let's go."
I check that no one is watching us and lead Emilia down the hall, opening and shutting the door with the Ezra Martinez nameplate.
Emilia points to a box on the table. "That's Naomi's stuff."
"You go through it. I'll search his desk."
She obeys, and I open several drawers, then take my gun and knife out of my bag. I jimmy the locked drawer for several minutes.
It pops open. It's full of files, and I search through it. "Finding anything?"
"Not yet." She has a small pile of items on the table.
I take a handful of files out and scan them. "This looks like personal stuff."
"I don't understand why Naomi's—"
The door opens. "Malin, what are you doing here?" Ezra seethes.
I pick up my gun and point it at him. "Get your hands in the air and shut the door."
He hesitates.
"Don't make me shoot."
He slowly raises his hands, steps in, and stands against the door. When the lock clicks, I wave my gun to the chair at the table. "Sit down."
He turns. His eyes widen. "Emilia, what are you doing?"
"Don't talk to her. Sit," I growl. "Grab that duct tape, Emilia."
Emilia doesn't move, staring at Ezra.
His voice turns soft. "Emilia—"
"Emilia, pick up the duct tape," I repeat.
She snaps out of it and picks it up.
"Lace your fingers together."
Ezra turns to me. "Malin—"
"If I have to come do it myself, there will be consequences. Now fold your hands and hold them straight out."
He obeys.
"Emilia, tape them together tightly."
She glances at me, but then turns back and does it.
"Now put