Carl took Jamey by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. "Okay. It's almost time. Be ready to split the second I yell."
She shivered and slumped down on the edge of the hotel bed.
He pulled the truck keys from his pocket and placed them in her hand. "You'll do the driving. The cops won't be looking for a woman." He smiled as he leaned over and pecked her on the cheek. "Don't be scared, baby. Everything's going to be just fine."
Opening the tote bag she'd dropped on the end of the bed, he removed a suit coat and pre-knotted tie. Shrugging into the jacket, he slipped the tie over his head and let it hang loose around his neck, giving the appearance he'd just come in from a party.
Keeping his gaze on Jamey, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a pair of brass knuckles. She tapped the tips of her painted nails across her lips as she watched him shove them over his fingers.
He cuffed her lightly on the chin and grinned. "Yes, sweetheart, I know how to fight. When you're six foot two, you learn to use your brawn as well as your wit." He glanced around the room and snatched the cell phone off the bureau. Dropping it into the tote, he handed her the bag. "Bring this with you. Be sure we don't leave any evidence here."
Trembling she slipped the handles over her arm.
"Hey, what's the matter, sweetie, cat got your tongue?"
She shook her head. "No. Just a bit scared and nervous."
Pulling her toward him, he planted a long sexy kiss on Jamey's lips, then held her at arms length and winked. "We'll celebrate when this is over. And if you think silk dresses and fake bangles around your wrist are pretty, just wait until you take a gander at the next ones we get."
Throwing a kiss, he nabbed the ice bucket from the bathroom and headed out the door. "Fix this so I can get in quickly," he said over his shoulder as he disappeared.
)
