?Chapter 406:


    But before she could say a word, Shaun cut in, his voice firm, “I’m not the kind of guy who leaves a woman behind. Especially not in a ce like that.”


    Ste blinked, a little caught off guard. Still, she nodded.


    The car sped back toward the factory.


    As they approached the entrance, Shaun reached out and gently took her hand.


    Ste flinched, startled.


    She turned to look at him, but he just said softly, “It’s safer if we stick close.” His voice was low, calm—like he meant every word.


    Still, she slipped her hand out of his. “Standing close works too.”


    Shaun didn’t push. A faint, unreadable smile curved his lips, but there was no trace of disappointment in his eyes.


    Upstairs, Ste crept quietly down the hall. The wall she’d tapped earlier now had a narrow door cracked open.


    Her heart skipped. Jackpot.


    She took a step forward—but Shaun grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “There’s someone in there.”


    Of course she knew someone was inside. But if she waited until everything was cleared out, she’d miss her chance to get any useful information.


    Without another word, Ste reached into her bag and pulled out a tiny bugging device.


    If they wanted to y dirty, she was game.


    She’d picked it up months ago for emergencies—never thought it woulde in handy now.


    She crouched low and crept toward the door, inching along the wall, keeping quiet.


    Her heart pounded as she peeked inside.


    She had to know what it was like inside. There were at least five men, all busy moving boxes and stuffing files into duffel bags. No one had noticed her yet.


    Her eyesnded on a coat tossed carelessly over a metal table. Perfect. She moved quickly, slipping the device into the coat’s pocket, then ducked back into the hallway.


    She straightened and turned back.


    Shaun raised an eyebrow. “What did you do?”


    “nted a bug in their clothes.” She shot onest nce at the room. “Let’s go.”


    There were about five men in there.


    With just the two of them, going up against five armed men would be suicide. And Shaun—well, he looked like he’d be morefortable at a boardroom table than in a fight.


    They had to get out before anyone noticed them.


    The men were already packing up. They would probably be out in less than ten minutes.


    They made it back to the car without being noticed.


    Back on the road, Ste sat in the passenger seat, earbuds in, the receiver from the bug gripped tightly in her hand.


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