“Hold it Aerin,” Olivia cut in as she tapped on the Apple watch on her wrist. Her face had switched from the friendly one she’d had while we’d talked to a serious one. She nodded at Bai, who’d also grown serious.

They each took hold of one of my elbows. “Just keep your thoughts on her, Aerin,” Bai said under her breath as one of the SUVs that I’d been using since yesterday pulled up in the driveway. “If that will keep you even-keeled from here on out. It’s showtime.”

Jack walked up to us and nodded at me. He mouthed, “Everything’s going to be alright.” When the SUV pulled up in front of us, he got in front to ride shotgun while Olivia walked around to board from the other door. One of the other guards held the door closest to me open, and I got in, while Bai followed close behind.

The concert was going to be held in a casino/resort that was just a few blocks away. But these were long city blocks, and, with the traffic, it would likely take us about half an hour just to join the queu of cars falling in line to drive up to the doors of the casino/resort that were closest to the concert hall.

As we drove, Jack and the two women talked strategy, and reminded me about things I’d have to keep in mind, so that they would be able to keep me safe.

After about forty minutes, Jack motioned that we would walk the rest of the way. “It’s fine. The target’s been spotted in the area already, and so is that other guy who SSA Black says the feds suspect will be selling him information. We need to be in place in the box before they get there.”

Before we got out of the car, I slipped the vest he’d given me earlier after I quickly unclasped the hooks of my feathery top that wrapped around my neck. I wore the top on top of the vest. It was an odd combination but I made it work.

I’d protested that the vest was overkill, and that it was too hot to wear something like that. He’d convinced me with a simple question, though, “Do you want to be the one to explain things to Harley later if something happens and she finds out you didn’t wear this?”