“Actually, it’s similar to what I’ve been thinking,” Hunter admitted.
“What?” Derrick said in a cold voice.
“Hear me out,” Hunter replied, unfazed. “I said it was similar not the same. I don’t think Evan’s stupid enough to believe that we’re stupid enough to let Jacey out of the house. But I do think if we dress someone up to look like her and put her in a car with you, Derrick; that he’ll be stupid enough to think we’re putting all our eggs in one basket.”
They both looked at him in confusion.
“Evan will think that we’ll have most of my men with Derrick and the fake-Jacey, leaving the real Jacey here with minimal protection. He’ll make a move on her and we’ll grab him.”
“How does that not risk Jacey?” Derrick asked loudly.
“Because we’ll already have removed Jacey to a safe house with Tiny and Connor.”
Jacey thought it over, it sounded like it could work.
“No,” Derrick said. “Absolutely not.”
“Won’t the security detail be stretched thin?” Jacey asked, ignoring Derrick’s scowl. “I mean, if you have Tiny and Connor with me and supposedly a couple of guys watching Derrick who’s left to grab Evan when he makes his move?”
“None of that matters because we’re not doing this,” Derrick insisted.
“I can call in some more men,” Hunter replied. “But the main problem I have is that I don’t have a female staff member.”
“Wow, that surprises me,” she said sarcastically. Hunter was at least as protective toward women as Derrick was.
“We need someone who is your build, who can look after themselves and who is willing to put themselves in a possibly dangerous situation. It would also help if they knew Austin well.”
She thought for a long moment. “I might know someone. But I’ll have to find her first.”
“No. The two of you listen to me carefully. This is not happening.” Derrick glared at them both.
“Let me work on him,” Jacey told Hunter.
***
“You know he’s right, don’t you?” Jacey asked as she lay with her head on Derrick’s chest in bed that night. She was exhausted. After Hunter left, Derrick had picked her up, placed her on the bed and brought her to orgasm twice before taking her.
Derrick just grunted.
“We can’t keep going like this, Derrick. I can’t keep going like this. I’m jumping at every noise; I spend most of my days in fear. It’s not good for the baby or for us. I think we have to try this.”
“I don’t like this. I don’t like us being separated.”
“I don’t either. I particularly don’t like the part where you’re driving around, trying to get Evan to follow you. I hope Hunter’s right and he’s too smart to fall for that. Maybe someone could pose as you as well. I couldn’t stand it if anything happened to you, Derrick.”
He scooted down until his head was at her chest. “Nothing’s going to happen to me. I’m more concerned about keeping you safe.”
“Then give this a try. Please, Derrick.”
He sighed and she knew she had him.
He took a nipple into his mouth. Her leg rested on his hip and he cupped her mound possessively.
She closed her eyes, exhaustion washing over her as he continued to suckle on her nipple.
This had to work. It just had to.
***