SEIZED Part 3: Steamy Romantic Suspense (Seize Me Romance Fiction Series) by JC Coulton

Eleven
    Carrie
    The driver discreetly lets me off at the back of the hotel. I duck inside and head up to my room. Instinctively, I want to crawl back into bed and hide, but a team of people are waiting for me to walk out through the front doors of the lobby.
    I use the bathroom, and as I’m washing my hands, I look at my reflection. I’m just a woman ready to head out for a run. No one would know I’m anything more than that. I feel assured. Somehow, it makes it easier to slip into the role.
    When it’s time, I go back downstairs and test my new disguise out with a cheerful greeting to the front desk staff.
    “Hello. I’m just heading off for some exercise. Can you book me a table in the restaurant tonight, please?”
    The girl knows me well by now, and smiles as she taps at her keyboard. “No problems, Miss James. I’ve made your reservation. We’ll refresh your room while you’re out this afternoon.”
    I nod and smile, reaching for the items in my pockets to make sure everything is still in place. “Thanks for that. I’ll see you soon.”
    I move through the front doors of the lobby to the street, and make a show of doing a few hamstring stretches against a nearby wall. I’m waiting for the signal. I don’t meet eyes with anyone. I just pretend I’m in my own world, like the rest of this city does. No one pays any attention. This ‘being normal’ act is easier than I thought.
    In my pocket, my cell phone buzzes three times. It’s the signal that the team is in place. I let it kick me into a gentle jog in the direction of the cab where Jason will be waiting. I can’t see where he is, but I know he’s watching me. I wonder to myself if Neon’s guy has seen me yet. It’s inevitable after the action packed stretching show I just manufactured. I can’t say I like the feeling, and decide not to indulge in any more thoughts about it.
    I make my way to him and get in the back seat. He nods and after a forty minute drive looking at the back of his head and his sexy, predatory eyes through the rear view mirror, we get to the location as planned. He lets me off a couple of blocks from the warehouse, and I’m pretty sure a woman running by recognizes me. Or, maybe I’m just paranoid ? I get to the warehouse, and drop to my knees to try the same lace-tying ruse. I don’t see any movement, and for some reason, I’m thirsty.
    I go into the deli beside the gas station for a coffee or water. There are a few people inside, and I line up behind them, keeping to myself. My job is to stick around the area, make myself seen, and jog around the place until I hear from Blake. In here, the FBI team may not be able to see me, but I’m sure it’s not a problem.
    I get my coffee and walk around the tables as if I’m looking for a good one. I couldn’t be more obvious as I wander around and I hope to Christ it’s working, otherwise this whole day is a waste of time. Eventually I take a seat in the window with my phone out and ready to take the next call.
    I drink my coffee. I sit back to watch the people outside and around me. There’s something so cool about going to a random place and just inserting yourself into the equation. Everyone here has a story, just like I do. They’re thinking about their family, kids, jobs, businesses, partners, bosses, or their problems right now. Maybe some are wondering how they’re going to pay the rent, or how they need to cut back on chocolate.
    I’m glad for some perspective. I’ve been so caught up in Blake, and April’s kidnapping, I’ve forgotten I’m just one of the many people with problems in the world. Whenever everything feels dramatic and unique, I need my feet replanted like this. There’s no reason for it to go badly today. I’m helping the solution, so I’ll do my thing and get out of there when I’m told.
    My phone buzzes on the table in front of me. It’s the planned call I’m supposed to answer. Phew . I pick it up and I’m pleased to hear the sound of