his head down, meeting his eyes to hers. “And it’s the only reason I’m allowing this.”
“Are you trying to argue that the only reason you’re going out to potentially get killed is because you want to—”
“That’s exactly what’s happening.” He finished closing the distance between them. “We will go out and do this. Finish it all.” Pierce’s easy smile slid back into place. “And then we will plan for our future.”
Mona stared up at him. “I think the extra oxygen from all the plants in here has made you delirious.”
His cell started to ring from the pocket of his jacket. “Put a pin in that.” He answered, keeping his eyes on Mona. “Are we ready?”
“If she gets hurt you’re getting hurt too.” Zeke was not happy with the decision to venture out and was having no problem voicing his displeasure. “I will choke you do death with one of your fucking pocket squares.”
“Understood.” Pierce started to tuck one hand into his pocket, but stopped, reaching for one of Mona’s hands instead. “Are we ready to suit her up?”
“I’m almost to your office.”
“Excellent.” Pierce opened the door to his office just as Zeke reached it.
“This is bullshit.” Zeke immediately went for Mona, not even giving Pierce the option to be the one to fit on the vest that would limit the damage that could be done to her. “Arms in.” Shadow’s lead went to work strapping her into the too-big vest. “This is the smallest one I could find.” His glare came Pierce’s way. “If you could of fucking waited I might have been able to get one that would actually fit her.”
“I need him to be in a reactive state.” In all truth they should have done this yesterday, but taking Mona out like this was unthinkable until she threatened to once again drag Vincent into this, and considering the head of GHOST’s current level of agitation, he wouldn’t be as hesitant as he was last time.
Mona frowned down at the bulk of the vest. “Are they all this heavy?”
“It’s worth it.” Zeke finished buckling her in and stepped back. “How’s it feel?”
“Uncomfortable.” Mona shifted her shoulders around.
“It feels a hell of a lot better than getting shot.” Shawn stood in the doorway. “This is a stupid idea.”
Mona lifted her brows at him. “Do you have a better idea?”
“Yeah.” Shawn took a step back. “How about we don’t do this at all and just wait him out.”
“Is that really what you want to do?” Pierce pulled off his jacket as Zeke passed him a vest. “Wait for him to make another move?” He fastened it into place before reaching for one of the two coats hanging on the rack next to the door. “The last move he made was to blow up two houses. Do you want to risk what he might do next?”
Especially now that he knew Amelia was on Alaskan Security property. There was no telling what Anthony might do to try to get to her.
Pierce turned to Mona, swinging the coat around her.
“I have coats of my own.” She didn’t try to stop him as he buttoned her up.
“This will make it more difficult for anyone attempting to take aim.” He tried not to consider the possibility.
Mona was right. These men would keep her safe at any cost.
No matter what, she would be fine.
Pierce pulled on a tailored coat that hid the added bulk of the vest, but would still allow a decent amount of movement should the need arise.
Zeke held out a pistol. He took it and tucked it into the back of his pants.
Mona held out her hand.
“Not today, Monster. Maybe next time.”
Her eyes went wide. “Are you kidding me?” She turned to Pierce. “What was the point in training me if I can’t carry?”
“The point was to make sure you could keep yourself safe when we weren’t there to do it for you.” He grabbed the front of her coat and pulled her close. “I adore you, but the last thing I need is you shooting Anthony the second he appears.”
“Isn’t that the whole point of this? To get rid of him?”
Not giving Mona a gun was clearly the correct decision. “We are going to be in a public area, Love. That means the rules are different and we have to play by them.” He leaned in. “I will teach you the all the rules later and then you may carry whenever you wish.”
“You’re going to regret this if I’m the only one who