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They donned sunglasses and baseball caps to cover their faces and left the hotel through its rear entrance that led straight to the parking lot. It didn’t take long to reach the restaurant, which was already busy.Good. The more people the better. It’s easier to blend in,Inda thought.
Lucas parked the SUV beneath the low-hanging branches of a tree in the back corner of the lot where an employee parking sign was staked in the ground. They had a perfect view of every car entering or leaving via the main driveway.
Inda handed Lucas a small comms unit. “As soon as they arrive, I’m going in. I’ll keep in touch, and when the bug is in place, I’ll let you know. Check to make sure it’s working and then I’ll come back out and we can listen in.”
“If they see you—”
“They won’t. Besides, the only one I’ve had any close interaction with is Selma. That bitch tased me,” she grumbled.
“What if she recognizes you?”
“Stop worrying.”
“Can’t help it,” he grunted.
“Why, Lucas Sheridan,” she said in her sweetest southern accent, batting her lashes. “Are you worried about little ol’ me?”
“Yeah, I am.”
His flat voice meant business, that he wasn’t playing around, and she bit her lower lip as her heart constricted. Other than her team, no one ever worried about her. “That’s sweet, but I can take care of myself. Been doing it since I was seventeen.”
Returning her focus out the windshield, she studied the parade of cars driving in and out. She couldn’t look at Lucas, didn’t want him to see how his words had affected her, so she forced herself to focus on the mission. But there was no denying it—he cared. He’d chosen to stick with her because he truly liked her, and that put her emotions and heart on alert. It made her feel fragile, and that was a weakness she couldn’t allow.
“Hey,” he said softly, reaching over and threading his fingers through hers. “You don’t always have to be so tough.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Inda—”
She pulled her hand away. Vulnerability had never been a good look on her. “Just keep your eyes peeled. They should be here soon.”
“Yeah, right.”
She hated pushing him away, but now wasn’t the time to delve into her twisted past or try to analyze a potential future together. There was too much on the line and she couldn’t let her team down. Besides, revealing what she’d done…
Her stomach churned.Focus, Inda,she scolded herself.
“There’s Carlisle,” Lucas said, nodding to a blue sedan which just entered the lot.
“Roger.” She ditched the ball cap and sunglasses and opened her door. Lucas’ hand shot out, catching her wrist.
“Be careful.”
“Careful is my middle name,” she shot back and slid out.
“I thought it was dangerous.”
With a shrug, she closed the door.Let him wonder.
She hung back briefly, waiting for Carlisle to walk into the restaurant. As soon as he did, she was on the move. Her plan would work even better if it was just him. He had no idea what she looked like, whereas Selma did. All she had to do was slip in, plant the mic and slip right back out. Kid’s stuff.
She pressed the comms unit in her ear. “Heading in.”
“Copy. Be careful.”
“You already said that. Stop worrying,” she murmured, though it made her feel good. Touched her more deeply than she cared to admit.
Inda moved up beside a large group walking through the front door and blended right in with their party. While they stopped in the entranceway as someone spoke to the hostess, Inda veered to the left, scanning the dining room.
