Rules of Protection (Tangled in Texas) (Volume 1) by Alison Bliss Read Free Book Online Page A

back into the bathroom, and I opened the bag, half-expecting an ugly turtleneck or a pair of hideous polyester pants. Surprisingly enough, I found the exact outfit Rawlings wore, including a pair of horn-rimmed glasses.
    Rawlings changed into my clothes, stuffed her own outfit into the bag, and put on a long, curly blond wig she adjusted on her head. When she put on a Kevlar vest, that’s when it dawned on me. She was my decoy.
    “Don’t I need to wear one, too?”
    “Won’t be necessary,” she said. “If someone is out there watching, then I’ll be the one in danger. They won’t recognize you.”
    She tried to comfort me, but I wasn’t feeling warm and fuzzy. I had a knack for attracting unwanted attention. Sergio was proof of that. A vest would’ve made me feel safer but, then again, it wouldn’t keep them from shooting me in the head.
    By the time we came out again, Jake was back and joined by three men. Jake stopped talking and looked me over. He didn’t smile or comment, just stared with piercing, impolite eyes. I imagined he liked the new look as well.
    “Agent Franklin and Agent Schafer from Indianapolis,” Jake said gesturing to the two men standing behind him. Then he motioned to the third man on his right. “My boss, Harvey Brockway. He’s the Director of the FBI’s Chicago Division.”
    The man wore a wrinkled navy blazer, light blue dress shirt, and a loose, slightly askew tie. His thinning gray hair was unkempt, and his bloodshot eyes drooped with bags underneath. He didn’t look like anyone’s boss. He looked like someone who’d rolled out of bed after a rough night.
    “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am. I only wish it was under better circumstances,” Brockway said, offering me his hand. “Let me assure you we’ll do everything in our power to keep you out of harm’s way.” I nodded, and he gestured to the table. “I brought some documentation for you, Miss Foster.”
    I looked at him with confusion. “That isn’t my name.”
    “It is now. From this point on, your name is Emily Foster. In the envelope is your new identity, complete with background information. You’ll need to memorize it all. Agent Ward will oversee your transfer to the safe house we set up. From there, three U.S. Marshals will rotate shifts. Someone will be with you at all times. I took the liberty of having some of your personal items from your apartment sent ahead, but if you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
    “Thank you,” I said, thinking Jake could learn a lesson from this man. The consideration Brockway showed in the last five minutes was more than I got from Jake all night long.
    After Brockway left, Jake gave the agents their instructions and told them to get moving. Agent Franklin opened the door, looked around, and then walked out. Rawlings followed him closely, keeping her head down timidly as if she were a scared witness. Schafer fell in line behind her.
    Jake watched through the peephole, making sure they were gone. “Okay, it’s our turn, Emily.”
    Whoa! Emily? That would take some getting used to.
    “I’m not going to walk beside you this time,” he explained. “Don’t act nervous or jittery. You’re supposed to be another agent. Stay calm and get in the front seat. Got it, Emily?”
    Jeez. I haven’t had the name fifteen minutes, and I’m already sick of hearing it. “Yeah, I guess.”
    “Let’s go.”
    I walked out casually, sauntering over to the Yukon, and slid into the front passenger seat. I tried to convey confidence and coolness, but I was sweating like a preacher in a whorehouse. As soon as Jake drove us out of the parking area, I blasted the air conditioner and turned the vents toward myself. It wasn’t a good idea. I love silk shirts, but you can’t hide hard nipples under thin material. I thought maybe Jake wouldn’t notice, but of course, he did. After all, he’s a man.
    His lingering gaze gave me a slight rush. “What?”
    “Nothing,” he