anything that might come their way.
Pierce stepped out of the car, reaching one hand out. “This way.”
The heavy coat was huge, and all the added bulk made it difficult to maneuver her way out of the car. Her hands kept slipping into the sleeves and the wool kept twisting and catching. Finally she reached out, taking Pierce’s offered hand simply to speed the process up.
His grip was warm and tight as he pulled her free, his hold keeping her steady as the cold once again registered.
The only thing that got her inside was Pierce’s hand, leading her along while her brain refused to consider anything but the bone-chilling air attacking her face.
A man was waiting, his black gear strikingly similar to what she’d seen on the men at Alaskan Security. “Nice to see you again, Pierce.”
“Vincent.” Pierce slid one hand into the pocket of his pants.
The man turned. “He’s in a regular room now. I told him you were coming to talk to him again.”
“I’m sure he’s thrilled.” Pierce’s words were dry and flat.
Mona pressed two fingers to her lips, smothering out the laugh trying to sneak free at Pierce’s words.
It was just nerves. She should be grateful it was a laugh attempting to escape instead of what usually wanted out.
Vincent turned and began to walk, leaving her and Pierce to follow behind him.
With every turn the likelihood of her breaking out into a fit of laughter went down.
And the odds of barfing went up.
She could do this.
Make sure Zeke was fine.
And then let him know how she felt about him.
Vincent paused outside a closed door, tipping his head toward it before immediately walking away.
Mona stared at the last thing keeping her from Zeke.
She took a deep breath, stopping once it was in to swallow down the panic clawing up her throat.
She’d come this far.
Just a little more.
“Are you ready for me to open the door, Mona?”
She didn’t dare look at Pierce. Adding him into the mix would certainly prove catastrophic. “Open it.”
He twisted the knob and pushed the door wide, stepping back.
His eyes were a weight she could feel. One she might struggle to ignore under other circumstances.
But the sight of Zeke in front of her stole all her attention away.
He was fine. Upright and looking none the worse for wear as he sat in a chair at a small table in the corner of the room.
She could do this.
She could do this.
Mona walked straight into the room. Right toward Zeke. The man she trusted.
The man who made her believe she could do all the things she wished she could.
“Mona.” His brows went up as he started to stand.
He never made it.
Because she got to him first.
Mona stopped right in front of him.
Planted her feet.
And slapped him right across the face.
CHAPTER 3
PIERCE WASN’T SURE who was more shocked.
Zeke.
Or him.
Mona’s pale blue eyes were narrowed and sharp. “She could have died.”
Zeke stared up at her, gaping at the tiny woman as his cheek turned red and blotchy.
“How could you do that?” Mona pointed one finger right between Zeke’s eyes, the sleeve of his coat slipping down to cover everything but the nude polish on her nail. “That was an awful thing to do.” Her head barely shook, the white blonde of her hair skimming his scarf as she did. “I trusted you.” Her head tipped back, chin lifting. “I defended you.” She straightened. “And you almost killed my friend.”
Zeke sat silently.
Mona sucked in a breath that was almost a sniff. “Fix it.”
Zeke’s eyes finally moved from her, shifting to where Pierce stood.
Mona spun to face him, her cool blue eyes leveling on his.
Pierce held her there, refusing to look away, hoping she would do the same.
She didn’t disappoint him.
Finally he tore his eyes from hers, turning his attention to Zeke. “My office. Tomorrow at morning at six.”
Mona’s shoulders relaxed, the bulk of his coat exaggerating the tiny change.
Pierce focused only on her. “Are you finished?”
“For now.”
It took an enormous amount of restraint to hide his smile as he backed into the hall, expecting Mona to follow.
Instead she turned back to Zeke, scanning him from head to toe. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Shadow’s lead sat stoic and still as she turned and walked out of the room, chin high, steps sure.
Like a queen reigning over her court.
Pierce lifted his brows at Zeke before walking away, going after the woman who just faced down one of the most dangerous men in the world. He caught her just as she was about to take