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“Flirting I can handle. I don’t know about eating with a hostile audience.”
“Focus on me.”
“What a hardship,” she murmured.
He glanced at her, surprise in his gaze. “You find it hard to focus on me?”
“Sure. What woman could force herself to act besotted with a man who is tall, dark, handsome beyond belief, and lethal but with a heart of gold? Yep, it’s a real hardship, but I’ll suffer for the cause.”
Trace chuckled, his cheeks flaring with color. “If you say so.”
After noticing one of Hugo’s men watching them, Bridget smiled at Trace and kissed him. “I hope you have an idea where to go for clothes because I don’t want to spend long in a store. I’d rather be alone with you.”
He dropped a brief, hard kiss on her mouth before ushering Bridget inside the restaurant. “You are too good at this,” he murmured. “I’ll have to remind myself that you’re playing a role.”
“I haven’t said anything untrue.”
Trace’s gaze dropped to her mouth. “You’re lethal, sweetheart.” His voice had deepened into a near growl.
After the hostess seated them at the back of the restaurant, Trace lifted Bridget’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “I can’t wait to take you on a real date when we don’t have an audience to entertain.”
That surprised a smile from her. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Nico and Jake were seated at the table next to theirs. “Two men followed you,” Nico said although his gaze remained on the menu. “One stayed in the car. The second is at the middle table by the window.”
He swept a casual glance around the restaurant. “Got him.” Trace brushed a lock of hair away from Bridget’s cheek as the waiter stopped at their table for their drink orders, then took Nico and Jake’s orders before hurrying off.
“If you’re not sure what your stomach will tolerate, go for something light,” Jake murmured to Bridget. “Barfing will ruin the illusion that you’re not concerned with your audience.”
Good idea. She was glad she chose a soft drink to go with her meal. Conscious of restaurant employees and patrons reporting their movements and conversation to Hugo or one of his men, Bridget opted to go with a light flirtation. If nothing else, she was determined to make Trace laugh. What better way to thumb their noses at Hugo’s thugs?
To Bridget’s surprise, she ate most of the meal she ordered and kept it down without difficulty. Trace was good company and a great distraction.
They left the restaurant and made their way to the parking lot. “Where to now?” she asked.
“I asked the concierge for shopping recommendations earlier. He gave me directions to two stores that should have what we need for tonight.”
“Great. I want to get back to the suite. We never have enough time together, Trace.” She slid Trace a sideways glance. “Do you need a gift for our host?”
Once they were safely inside the SUV, he said, “I can’t think of anything Hugo doesn’t already have aside from metal bracelets and a jail cell. Hopefully, we’ll hand him over to the feds or the undertaker when we leave Mexico.”
She stared as he drove from the lot and merged with traffic on the street. “Are you telling me we’ll have to ride back to the States in the jet with that snake?”
“He won’t be a problem. You and your sister will be safe.”
Bridget’s hand fisted. “I don’t want him anywhere near her. We don’t know what he’s done to her.” Contemplating the horrible possibilities made her stomach churn.
Trace laid his hand over her fist. “We’ll make sure she understands that she’s safe from him.” He slid her a glance before returning his attention to his driving. “Assuming he’s still alive.”
She heard what he didn’t say. Hugo might not survive the attempt to detain and transport him to the States. He wouldn’t go down easy. Although Bridget believed Trace and his teammates would do their best to take the newly-minted crime boss alive, they might fail.
Bridget still didn’t like it, but she couldn’t demand that her new boss send a second jet just to fly Hugo to the US for prosecution for kidnapping Ruth. She had faith that Trace and the others would protect her and Ruth with their lives if necessary. What more could she ask?
Fifteen minutes later, Trace parked in front of an exclusive boutique for men and women. With any luck, she and Trace would find what they needed here, negating the necessity for a second stop.
One of the saleswomen made a beeline for Trace and spoke to him in English. “May I help you, sir?”
“The lady and I need clothes for a formal event tonight.”
