Strategic Maneuvers - Jemma Westbrook Page 0,76
Post Office.”
CHAPTER 22
SHE’D COME FULL-CIRCLE.
Started off considering barfing on Pierce’s expensive coat.
And now she was right back where she began.
Considering barfing on Pierce’s expensive coat.
“Do you think he’s seen us?”
“Definitely.” Pierce’s posture was relaxed. He looked like they were simply out for an afternoon drive. Running errands before going home for a nice evening curled up on the couch watching television.
Instead they were potentially walking into an ambush.
“Do you think he’ll be waiting for us?”
“I hope so.” Pierce’s dark eyes were constantly moving. Continuously scanning their surroundings as he drove.
Any other time she’d be enjoying the excursion. Her first trip off site since landing.
But even a pile of the most gorgeous flowers she’d ever seen couldn’t make Mona feel any better.
This seemed like a good idea.
Probably still was.
The execution was the issue.
“I don’t think I can act normal.” Mona twisted her hands together, strangling the circulation from her fingers as she tried to find a way to make herself relax.
“Remember what you said?” Pierce’s eyes came to hers for a short second. “We’re all two people, Love. You just need to send in your other person.”
She pursed her lips. “My other person hasn’t been around as long as yours has.”
“Then she should be primed and ready to make her first public appearance.” He shot her a wink. “I would hate for Vincent to regret sending you out here.”
She scoffed.
Pierce smiled. “I can assure you he will be watching.”
Damn Vincent. He was probably sitting in his office hoping they would screw up so he could pretend he would have done better.
“And here we are.” Pierce shifted the SUV into park.
Mona opened her door and immediately stepped out.
Screw Vincent. Screw GHOST.
They were the reason this was still happening. If they’d just come to Pierce when they first suspected what was going on it might have all been over by now.
“I wish you would wait for me to get your door.” Pierce pulled her close, his mouth against her ear. “You need to stay at my side, Love. Anyone could have grabbed you just now and I’d hate to have to cover this lot with the blood of men too stupid to know who they’re dealing with.”
“Maybe you should have let me have a gun then.” Mona kept her voice low. She leaned back to give him a smile. “Because I would be happy to do it.’
“Wicked woman.” Pierce’s arm stayed at her waist as he went to the door leading to the post office.
It was quiet, thank goodness. Only one person in line in front of them. An older woman shipping three packages. Mona tried her best not to look around, but it was strange to be somewhere she’d seen so many times on camera.
The line of PO Boxes was just to the right of the counter. There weren’t a large number of them. Maybe a hundred tiny doors lined the small space.
And one of them was the box Chandler used her name and information to acquire.
“Our turn, Love.” Pierce urged her forward.
Mona turned toward the man waiting for her to step up.
She’d never done anything like this. She’d never lied. Never tried to fake her way into or out of anything.
But was it really faking if her name was the one on the account?
No. Probably not.
Mona smiled. “Hello.” She stepped up to the counter. “I’m hoping you can help me. I set up a PO Box when I first moved here and then as I unpacked I seem to have misplaced the keys. Is there a way I can possibly get another set?”
The man’s expression was flat. “It’s nine dollars for a new key.”
“Not a problem.” Pierce whipped out a credit card and held it between two fingers.
The man’s eyes went to the card but he made no move to take it. “I’m gonna need to see your ID so I can look it up.”
Well. Shit.
“Here you are, Love.” Pierce reached into his inside pocket and pulled out her wallet.
They were going to have to have a conversation about personal boundaries.
And eavesdropping. But he might have already learned his lesson on that one. Especially considering he now had five hundred plants to water.
Mona pulled out her license and handed it over. The man didn’t even glance up to check that she matched the photo.
That explained how Chandler was able to get the box in the first place. This guy didn’t seem overly concerned with being the identity police.
He set her ID on the counter. “I’ll be back.”
Pierce picked her license up