aware, but there are cameras everywhere, Love.”
Did he just try to make a joke?
And what was that he said at the end?
“Go.” Pierce pointed to her room. “Hurry.”
Mona took a few steps backward before turning and rushing to her room in the small suite where she’d been staying. There wasn’t enough time to do much more than pull on a pair of pants and shove on some shoes.
The shirt would just have to be what it was. At least she kept her bra on earlier. Less than two minutes later she had on a pair of jeans and flats and was back out into the small living room area.
Pierce held his hand out her way. “Come on. My phone’s ringing again.” He snagged her hand as she came close, opening the door a bit and peeking out.
“Does it matter if they find us now?” She was no longer in Pierce’s room. She had actual clothes on. No one would ever realize—
Mona glanced down where his hand held hers. “Why do you keep holding my hand?” Her brain finally seemed to work its way through the evening’s events, lining them up in a way that seemed...
“And did you call me Love?”
Pierce’s body went still.
He released the handle of the door, letting it close, once again shutting them in her room.
He turned to face her, standing silently as his gaze held hers.
Like he wasn’t currently being hunted by half the building.
Like a powerful man wasn’t waiting for his presence.
He took her to see Zeke. Risked the safety of many men to make it happen.
Made her dinner.
“Oh.” The whisper slipped free as her stomach dropped to her toes.
The door behind her vibrated as a fist banged against the other side. “If you don’t want the whole building to know you’re in there you need to get your asses out right now.” Brock sounded a little panicked.
Pierce didn’t move. Didn’t flinch.
Just watched her.
Mona dropped her eyes to the floor between them, pulling her hand from his and crossing her arms over her chest. “We should go.”
She turned and opened the door, refusing to look at Brock as she slipped past him, hurrying down the hall toward the main building. The connecting tunnel was still covered, making it impossible for anyone outside to see her as she passed through the space. Mona stared at the spot where a bullet came through the glass.
The same bullet Pierce stepped in front of to protect her.
She pressed one hand to the side of her face, fingertips pushing into her temple as she walked faster.
It was a crazy thing to consider. It’s why she hadn’t.
In spite of what now seemed to be overwhelming evidence.
Mona’s other hand went to her belly as it squeezed in a way that wasn’t as uncomfortable as she expected.
Normally the thought of Pierce made her nerves clench and her throat tight. He was intimidating as hell.
But now...
“Ms. Ayers.” Vincent stood in the entry, men lined around him. He tipped his head her way. “It’s nice to see you again.”
Maybe it was the recent revelation occupying her brain.
Or maybe it was mental exhaustion.
Or maybe all her efforts to find her way back in time were finally paying off. Bringing her closer to the woman she was before Chandler broke her down one tiny chip at a time.
Mona stopped, facing him down. “I’m not sure I share that sentiment.”
Vincent’s mouth softened in what was probably as close to a smile as the man could accomplish. “Where’s Pierce?”
“Pierce is right here.” A second later he was at her side, tall and broad and relaxed. “I apologize for the delay. I was meeting with an important individual.”
Vincent’s brow lifted. “More important than me?”
“Absolutely.” The answer came immediately.
“Huh.” Vincent turned to look toward Pierce’s office. “I’d be interested to know who that is.”
“I’m sure you would.” Pierce held his arm out, gesturing down the hall. “Shall we?”
Vincent eyed Pierce a second longer before turning and walking toward Pierce’s office, five of his men following behind him while the other five stayed at the front of the building.
Pierce shot Brock a glance.
Brock’s head dipped in a barely perceptible nod.
Pierce’s eyes came to hers. “Are you ready?”
“I’m not sure I should—”
“I am.” He said it like that was all that should matter.
“I am no one.” Mona shook her head, keeping her voice low. “There’s no reason for me to be in there.”
“This morning you asked for a meeting with him.”
“That’s when I was mad.” This morning she was considering laying into the