“I can model at the Limitless banquet, just like they expect me to,” said Ellery.
“You won’t,” Logan said. “I forbid it.”
Did she just roll her eyes? As if she were dismissing me?
“There’ll be way too many people around for anyone to kidnap me, so I’ll be safe,” she said. “And if Alexander shows up, he won’t be expecting the FBI. You know what he looks like. All you have to do is grab him.”
“You can’t do this, Ellery. It’s a death sentence.” Logan glanced at Dan, hoping for a confirmation.
An uncomfortable pause followed, and Dan stared at his feet, shifting on the floor.
“Sounds to me like it’s a death sentence if Alexander gets away,” said Ellery, “because he could show back up here anytime. And next time, the FBI won’t be here.”
“It’s way too risky. You have no training.” Logan refused to consider her logic.
“She has a point, Logan.” Dan rubbed his chin.
“You can’t seriously be considering this.” Logan bared his teeth.
“We have to look at every option,” Dan said. “This one has some merit. Leaking a little information to Chester would almost assure Alexander made a move tonight. On the other hand, we’re at a disadvantage because some of my team isn’t here yet.”
“We have eight here from E-Force,” Mack said. “And you know you can trust us. Especially after the case in DC.”
Dan nodded. “It might work. We need to take stock of your communication equipment and see what’s compatible with ours.”
It was like a nightmare Logan couldn’t wake up from. His pulse pattered like a machine gun.
“If Ellery goes, I’m going,” he declared.
Ellery’s brow creased. “There’s no reason for both of us to—”
“I’m the only one who can stick to you like glue without making Alexander suspicious.” Logan speared Ellery with an I-dare-you-to-argue-with-me glare.
She matched his feverish gaze while the room went silent, the tension palpable. Unblinking, Logan held steady, ignoring the gaping onlookers. He willed Ellery to read his mind.
I can’t let you take this risk without me. I can’t bear it. I would rather die.
She averted her eyes, and he let out the breath he’d been holding. Did she still have feelings for him? Or had he driven her away permanently by moving Allegra into his house without an explanation?
His whole body ached. How long had they been apart? Weeks felt like months. If only he could wrap her in his arms and kiss her. Even worse was the heavy blanket of fear, a dark dread that he would lose her forever, and their lips would never touch again.
CHAPTER 27
Logan’s usual social discomfort had vanished, driven away by his intense fear for Ellery. No number of assurances from Mack or Dan had lessened the panicky feeling permeating his head like a fog of acid. He knew, despite metal detectors at the entrances and undercover agents all over the banquet room, backstage, and dressing areas, they couldn’t possibly cover every contingency.
Logan had paced outside Ellery’s dressing room for what seemed like hours, even knocking on the door to be assured she hadn’t been whisked away through some secret trap door. When she’d finally emerged, draped in a deep purple, silky, floor-length dress with a side-slit that must’ve purposefully exposed her scarred leg, his tongue had tied itself in knots.
She was breathtaking! Not that she hadn’t been gorgeous before, but Josiah’s makeup artists had done a skillful job of emphasizing her huge almond-shaped eyes. And the scars on her cheek and arm—somehow even more vivid against otherwise flawless skin—seemed almost like exotic beauty marks. At least that’s how Logan saw her. And intent on protecting her from any kind of hurt, whether a physical threat from the Krupin brothers or a judgmental glance from a Limitless patron, he’d spent the first half-hour glaring at anyone who so much as raised an eyebrow in her direction.
“Logan,” Cole said, dragging him aside, “you can’t keep giving people dirty looks. Ellery’s modeling one of our jewelry sets for the auction, and none of the patrons dare get close enough to admire the diamonds with you scowling at everyone.”
The fundraiser attendees had been informed to look for models in the deep purple color to view some of the auction’s upcoming items.
“I’m sorry, Cole, but I don’t care about anything but protecting Ellery.”
“I get that,” Cole murmured. “But remember the goal. We need to make it appear that everything is normal to encourage Alexander to make a move.”
“That’s your goal, not mine,” Logan muttered, squinting at an older couple who’d moved close to Ellery, the wife leaning in to admire the multi-strand diamonds around her neck. “I’ve been against this the whole time.”
“I didn’t say this in front of the group,” Cole said, “but I think there’s a good chance you could become the primary target instead of Ellery. And Mack and Dan agree with me.”
“How do you see that?”
“If the Krupins are after the biggest purse, that would be mine. So I made sure none of the other Phantom guys or their families were here tonight. And believe me, it was no easy task to keep Laurie from coming.” Cole chuckled. “Anyway, it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out you and I have a close connection, especially after the introduction I plan to give shortly. If they could somehow get to you, they would figure ransom would be available not only from your bank account, but also from mine.”
“That makes sense. Especially considering how excited Chester seemed when I told him I was going to the fundraiser after all. It’s not like he had an invitation. Why would he care that I’m going?”
“Exactly my reasoning,” Cole said. “If Ellery were their primary target, they would probably prefer you stayed home.”
“I hope you’re right,” Logan said, groaning as the couple near Ellery was joined by another, blocking his view of her. “I don’t care what they do to me, as long as Ellery’s safe.”
“They aren’t going to do anything to you. We’ve got eyes everywhere. Cameras at every entrance and exit to the building. Everything’s going to be fine.”
“If you were as confident as you sound, Brooke would be here tonight.”
“That’s fair.” Cole sobered. “I’m sure I’d be as nervous as you if I were in your shoes. But we’re family now. You aren’t in this alone.”
