Page 67 of A Wild Darkness

I shake my head. Then turn on my heels, gesturing for her to follow me outside. “No, I was ready early.”

“Anxious?”

“No.”

“Worried?” she asks.

I nod, shooting her a calming glance. “Just ready.”

“Oh. Okay.”

Then I remember the conversation I had with Christian about being searched as soon as we get to the location. They allowed us our phones at the dinner and the masquerade ball, perhaps because they weren’t exposed the same way, but I believe we won’t be so fortunate this time.

“I almost forgot to tell you,” I say, digging into my pocket to grab a tracker and an earpiece. “This is how we’ll communicate with Hayden and the team.”

“What about our phones?” Stevie asks.

“I don’t know if we can keep them. I’m thinking not.” I bend to the floor. “Let me see your ankle.”

She reluctantly raises her pant leg. “What is that?”

My fingers tingle as they touch her warm, smooth skin. “It’s a tracker.”

“You’re putting a tracker on me?”

“Yes, I have one, too.” I clasp the tiny hook on the delicate gold chain. “It looks like an anklet. Another of TI’s prototypes from the research and development department.”

“Oh.”

I let my touch graze the hollow of her ankle bone before pulling away. Her soft skin made my fingers tingle. I raise to find her face flushed.

“Is that how we’ll talk to each other, too?” she asks.

“We will not separate,” I state. “There’s no need. But we’ll both have these as well.” I hand her an earpiece.

“Should I put it in now?”

I shake my head. “No, keep it inside the lining of your underwear.”

“I’m sorry. What?”

I laugh at her expression. “Slip it into the elastic band that’s on one of your hips. See this hook?” I point to the small fishhook on the top of the earpiece. “It’ll fit perfectly.”

“And how would you know that, Sebastian?”

Stevie’s playfulness in tense situations surprises me each time. “I own a technology company that develops these types of things for the FBI and CIA, remember?” I smile. “It’s kind of my job.”

A muffled giggle escapes her pink lips. “Right.”

Once we have everything in place, we head outside to the short runway. The crisp morning air is invigorating as I guide Stevie onto the chartered plane, taking her luggage up the steps behind her.

“Welcome, Mr. Thompson,” the pilot greets us as we enter the cabin. “I’m Captain Boone.”

I extend my arm to shake his hand. “Thank you for coming out at such short notice.”

“Of course. It’s not a problem at all,” he returns.

I turn to Stevie. “This is my fr—girlfriend, Stevie.”