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protection detail for him since his best friend died in the line of duty.”
    Lauren took a sip of coffee as she contemplated the news. “I think the threats are real, Liz. I met with Rafe last night. When he drove me home, a car nearly forced us off the bridge. We assumed it was a drunk driver, but in light of what you’ve just told me, I don’t think it was an accident.”
    “I believe the threats are valid, too. This assignment is going to be dicey. Rafe is astute and it’s just a matter of time before he picks up on the fact that we have him under surveillance. I’ll have to keep rotating his security detail so he doesn’t get suspicious. You won’t be assigned to him of course, but I thought you should be aware of what’s going on considering your history with him.”
    Rotating operatives on a protection job was never a good thing, Lauren mused. Agents needed to be familiar with a client’s standard routine, but her fellow bodyguards would have a difficult time doing so if they were constantly changing shifts. She might despise Rafe, but she didn’t have a death wish for him.
    “I want to be a part of his protection team, Liz. I can help, and from a position far closer than any of your other bodyguards.”
    “You’re one of my best agents,” Liz affirmed. “I know you’re a consummate professional, but emotions are dangerous in our line of work. You’re far too close in this instance to be effective.”
    “I disagree. Just how close I can get to Rafe could mean the difference between success and failure. Sentinels has a flawless reputation for keeping clients safe. You don’t want this assignment to be the one to mar our perfect track record, do you?”
    Liz shook her head. “Okay, I’m listening. What are you suggesting?”
    “Rafe presented me with a business proposition last night, one I refused. He wants to purchase Gracious Living magazine, but the owner is only negotiating with married parties. Rafe now controls Intrepid magazine, which makes him Luke’s new boss. He’s threatening Luke’s employment, promising to fire him if I don’t agree to a marriage of convenience.”
    “So you’re telling me you want to go through with the deal?”
    “Exactly. As Rafe’s wife, I can be with him the majority of the time, and I can keep you informed of his comings and goings when I can’t be. My presence on the inside will give the other agents assigned to him a greater tactical advantage.”
    “I can’t say I’m crazy about the plan, but I don’t have a better one. Are you sure about this?”
    No, she wasn’t. On the other hand, she didn’t want Rafe’s death on her conscience. “Absolutely.”
    “All right, then. Michael is watching him now. He and the rest of the team assigned to the case are meeting in my office tomorrow morning at six. Why don’t you join us? We’ll come up with a game plan.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    “Since you’ve already declined Rafe’s proposal, how are you going to get him to put the offer back on the table?”
    “He’s going to call me today to offer me one last chance to give him the ‘right answer.’ I’ll just pretend I had a change of heart.”
    “You’re going to need a second cup of coffee, then.”
    “Another cinnamon roll probably wouldn’t hurt either. Seriously, though, thanks for including me in the loop on this one. I appreciate it.”
    “Don’t thank me until this is over. I’m still not convinced this is the wisest approach, but the team and I will have your back. I’ll leave the rest of the pastries with you in case you need to fall back on them later.” Liz smiled.
    After seeing Liz out, Lauren went upstairs to change into her running gear. She needed to work off the calories from her breakfast indulgence, and there was nothing quite like an early-morning jog along the surf to clear the cobwebs from her brain.
    The fresh salt air, the pounding of the waves, and the symphony of the seabirds melded into the perfect elixir to