The Unwavering Heart That Broke (Nathalie and Lance) novel Chapter 269

Lance was just coming down the stairs when he caught what the bodyguard said. His face turned serious right away.

“Share your location with me.”

The team was already tailing the car, and he joined in, making quick calls to have more people close off the area and give chase.

Meanwhile, in that little white car, the sanitation worker glanced in the rearview mirror, scoffing quietly. So she did have someone watching her. Too bad her so-called protector wasn’t any match.

He checked the woman slumped in the back seat, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Then he weaved through traffic, overtaking cars, swerving, picking up speed until he’d completely lost the car tailing him.

He pulled over in a surveillance-free area, got out, and opened the back door. He grabbed Nathalie’s chin, studying her face with careful eyes. He even lifted her eyelids, checking her eyes before snapping a few quick photos of her face. Then he yanked out a few strands of her hair. Job done, he closed the car door and walked away, stripping off his disguise as he went.

The wig, the mask, his uniform—he tossed them all in a trash bin. Then his tall, lean figure melted into the night.

***

Nathalie woke to someone calling her name.

She blinked open her eyes, groggy, and found Lance’s worried gaze fixed on her.

She went still, then slowly sat up as the memories rushed back—everything that had happened before she blacked out. She checked herself over quickly. Her clothes were fine, and she didn’t seem to be hurt anywhere.

“You’re okay.” Lance’s voice broke through her thoughts as he watched her.

Nathalie let out a shaky breath. “Where am I?”

Lance told her. They were still on the edge of the city, not far from town. When he’d gotten there, he’d found her car parked at the side of the road, and she’d been passed out cold in the back seat.

“Nathalie, do you remember what the person who took you looked like?” Lance’s tone was quiet but urgent.

Camilla’s face tightened with awkwardness. “Nathalie, what are you talking about?”

Nathalie was already settling into her seat. “Please, let’s not argue here. We’ll disturb Grandma’s rest.”

Lance stepped in. “Mom, I’ll have someone drive you home. Come back tomorrow.”

Camilla had no choice but to give in. But the whole way out, she couldn’t shake her nerves. They’d shown up together, after all. Had Nathalie managed to convince Lance to pull the funding? She couldn’t let that happen.

As soon as she left the hospital, she hurried to call Felice, filling her in on everything that had happened.

Inside the quiet hospital room, Nathalie glanced over at Lance. “You can head out too if you want.”

Lance’s voice was low but steady. “You had a scare tonight. I’m not going anywhere.”