Hot Shot (A Hostile Operations Team Novel)(#5) by Lynn Raye Harris Page B

recognized the hard-assed businesswoman taking control. It was how she dealt with the world. Her gaze flickered over him and her green eyes grew as hard as marbles. But then she was looking at Matt again and waiting for an answer.
    “Nothing we can do except wait for them to call, chère. We’ve got a command center set up next door, and we’ll be monitoring the equipment twenty-four seven. When they call, just keep them on the phone as long as possible. We’ll do the rest.”
    She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes and he got the sense she was trying not to cry again. “All right,” she said a moment later. And then she looked at him again and his gut twisted. “What if they never call? What if this is some sick plot to hurt me and they never intend to give my baby back?”
    Jack had to clear his throat. “You’re rich and famous, Gina. They want money.”
    Everyone agreed. The women came over and gave Gina hugs. “It’s been a long day for you,” Evie said. “I think maybe we should leave you to rest.”
    Gina nibbled her lower lip and he knew she was working to control herself. “Thanks so much for coming with me tonight. And I’m sorry about earlier.”
    Olivia and Georgie made shushing noises at the same time. “Already forgotten,” Olivia said.
    “We’ve got your back, darlin’,” Georgie added, sounding an awful lot like Sam.  
    Gina nodded. Evie looked at Matt. “I guess you know we’re staying with you guys tonight.”
    Matt didn’t even argue. “Yeah, figured that. It’s a suite and there are a couple of connecting rooms.” He took Evie’s hand and they went out the door with the others. Jack stayed where he was, hands still in his pockets. Someone had to stay with Gina and it was understood that someone would be him.
    The door closed and the room was suddenly silent. Gina sank into a chair and laid her head back against the seat. “Do I need to ask why you’re still here?”
    “I’m not leaving, Gina.”
    Her eyes flashed. “You aren’t sleeping with me either.”
    He snorted. “I think we both know that already.”
    She let her gaze slide over him. “So did you take care of the problem?”
    “There is no problem. I’m a man. I’m used to unrequited boners. Doesn’t mean a damn thing.”
    She arched an eyebrow. “Seriously? You, used to unrequited boners? I’d have thought you had a string of willing women standing outside your door.”
    He shoved a hand through his hair. “Can we just cut the crap? It’s not safe for you to be alone, and I’m the most logical person to be here. He’s my kid too.”
    She deflated like a popped balloon. All the fight went right out of her, and he realized how exhausting it must be to keep up the pretense of toughness long beyond the point where you had to be ready to scream.
    “Before you say anything else, I don’t wear what I wear on stage in order to turn men on. I wear it because it’s what I think is best for my brand. And it’s none of your goddamned business.”
    “You told me you were tired of the dance numbers and the direction people were pushing you in. That was three years ago. If it hasn’t changed, then you have no one to blame but yourself.”
    She nibbled on a fingernail. “I can’t change it overnight. And I basically dropped out for two years, so if I have a prayer in hell of keeping my career, I have to keep some of the dance numbers and the high energy. Barry’s right that I can’t just change everything. What if they don’t like me anymore?”
    He could only stare at her in disbelief. She was fucking amazing. She had a real voice, not a manufactured one. She didn’t rely on audio processors to make herself sound good. He’d like to wrap his hands around Barry’s throat for holding her back.  
    “I can’t believe your fans would abandon you, Gina. It’s more than dancing and a stage show that keeps them buying your records.”
    She closed her eyes. “I don’t tell you how to shoot a gun, or