Never Say Necklace (Love on the Run Book 1) Read online

  NEVER SAY Necklace

  JACLYN HARDY

  This is a work of fiction, and the views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author. Likewise, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are represented fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Never Say Necklace

  Book design and layout copyright © 2016 by Dragons & Fairy Tales Press

  Cover design copyright © 2016 by Steven Novak

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Copyright © 2015 by Jaclyn Hardy

  Printed in the United States of America

  Year of first printing: 2017

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  EPILOGUE

  ALSO BY JACLYN HARDY

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CHAPTER ONE

  Carlie looked up from her computer and narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t alone. This had always been her turf. No one else ever came into the anthropology lab during lunchtime so she always had plenty of time to work. Apparently it wouldn’t be that way anymore.

  The same guy sat across from her again. This was the fifth day in a row he’d been here. He was gorgeous, with his sandy blond hair, dark blue eyes, and the dimple that would appear when he smiled at something on his screen. Not that she paid much attention to him. Carlie shifted in her chair and kept working on the research she’d been doing for a couple of years now. She was so close she could taste it.

  Her pocket buzzed and made her jump. Oh, please let this be Ed. Carlie pulled her phone out and grinned when she saw the message. This was it. Excitement bubbled up inside as she snapped her laptop shut and shoved it into her bag. On her way out of the lab, she turned to make sure she hadn’t left anything behind, and ran into something hard. Her breath caught in her throat when she looked up into the dark blue eyes that she had most definitely not been thinking about.

  “Oh man, I’m sorry.” It was the guy who had invaded her territory. His cologne intoxicated her and it took a second to remember why she was standing there.

  Carlie shook her head to clear it and brushed past him, wanting to call her contact. “It’s fine. Excuse me.”

  “I’m Braden by the way,” he called behind her.

  Carlie waved and kept going. There was no time to chat and she figured she could always talk to him when she got back. If there was a chance to grab this necklace, she had to go right then. She ran out to her beat-up Honda Civic where no one could listen in.

  Carlie hit speed dial on her phone as she put on her seat belt. She tapped her fingers impatiently. “Hey, Ed. What’s up?” she asked as soon as he answered.

  “We got it. You were right.” He paused for her to cheer. “But listen, someone else knows what’s going on, so we need to go right now or we’ll be too late. You have everything ready?” Ed’s voice was excited. That wasn’t his real name. He had a code name just like everyone else on the team.

  “What do you mean someone else knows what’s going on?” Carlie’s stomach dropped. No! This was her discovery. She started the car and left the parking lot. She waited for a few cars to pass before pulling out onto the road.

  “It seems that we have a mole somewhere and we have reason to believe that they’ve sent out their own group to snatch the necklace.”

  “Brilliant. Find whoever it is and take them down. I gotta go. I’ll be at the airport in half an hour.” Carlie shut the phone and threw it onto the seat next to her. Whoever the mole was would pay. She weaved her way through campus traffic and skidded to a halt in her parking space. She checked her phone to make sure there were no messages, then climbed out of the car.

  Up in her apartment, she hurdled over her roommates who were doing pilates and ran to her room. She grabbed her duffle bag, double checked to make sure everything was inside, and left the room.

  “Going somewhere?” Dee asked. She changed positions and everyone else followed her.

  Carlie grinned, almost bursting with the news. “We found it.”

  Dee squealed. “Awesome! So if anyone asks?”

  “I’m at home visiting my parents. See you girls later. Don’t get into too much trouble.”

  “You know we will,” Dani said. She was twisted up in a pretzel doing her own thing. “Maybe this time you can bring back a guy.”

  “Not likely.” Carlie rolled her eyes. This was the same conversation they went through every time she left. “Gotta go. Eat whatever food I have left in the fridge. I’m not sure when I’ll be back.” She waved and ran out the door. She pulled out of the parking lot and sped toward the airport, then called another number on her phone.

  “Frank? You around at all?” Carlie switched lanes, wincing at the honking horns as she cut someone off.

  “No. What do you need?” Frank’s voice boomed through the receiver.

  “I need a flight as soon as possible in case I can’t get a ticket.” She preferred her own flight to commercial flights because there were too many prying eyes among the passengers.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” He dropped the call.

  The airport sprawled out in front of her, and an airplane was just taking off as she entered the parking garage. She drove up a couple of levels to find a spot and squeezed her Civic between two poorly parked cars.

  Carlie grabbed her duffel bag before heading in to the airport. It was busy at this time of day and desperation drove her to quickly duck around the crowds of people as she hurried inside. When she saw the enormous line of people waiting to get tickets, she groaned. This was going to take forever. She tapped her foot as she waited, going through a mental list of everything she needed to care of while she was gone, including finding a sub for her classes. Feeling someone watching her, she glanced around, but everyone seemed to be busy with their own luggage or kids. Carlie shook her head. This was an airport with thousands of people. She was just jumpy because of her trip.

  “Next, please.” The attendant asked. The poor woman seemed frazzled and her smile looked more tired than bright and cheery.

  “Yes, I’d like a ticket to Egypt, please.” Carlie slapped her passport and credit card on the desk and glanced over at the security line. She caught a glimpse of someone who looked almost familiar and she tried to figure out where she’d seen him before.

  “I apologize, but that next flight is full. We’ll have to put you on standby.”

  Carlie jerked her attention back to the attendant, frustrated. “You’re sure there’s nothing right now? I’m willing to pay for first class.” She could feel the tension building. She needed to get on that plane.

  “Sorry, Ma’am. Standby is the only possibility. The next flight leaves tomorrow evening.” She seemed to brace herself for a fight.

  Carlie sighed and nodded. “I’ll take it.”

  The attendant took the passport and card and typed the information into the computer. Carlie tapped her fingers to t
he beat of the music blaring over the loudspeakers, trying to stay calm.

  “You’ll be at gate 55. Don’t forget—”

  “Thank you.” Carlie grabbed the ticket from the woman, then hurried over to the security line that seemed to have grown in the last couple of seconds.

  Her pocket buzzed again and she pulled out her phone. There was a message from Ed confirming that someone else was on their way to Egypt as well. Carlie searched the airport to see if she could find the guy from the security line, but he’d disappeared. She texted back telling Ed to find out who it was and how they were getting there.

  After five minutes of waiting, Carlie was ready to scream. What in the world was taking so long? She had worked too hard for this to let it go. Cleopatra’s necklace was at the top of every collector’s list and she was the one who had figured out the clues to get there. Rumors had flown for centuries about whether or not it had even existed. Now that Carlie had finally located it, the thought of someone else getting it made her stomach turn.

  Her phone buzzed and she grabbed it. “Hey, Frank. Please tell me you have good news.” She tried to keep her voice low so those around her wouldn’t catch any of the conversation.

  “You have a chopper waiting outside for you. It’ll get you to Salt Lake City. Then you’ll hop a flight we have booked for you.”

  “Sweet. You’re the best, Frank.” Carlie stepped out of line and headed for the door, lugging her duffel bag behind her.

  “You know it.”

  Carlie sprinted to the helicopter several hundred yards away at the heliport. She was out of breath by the time she jumped in and threw on her seatbelt as they lifted off. She really needed to spend more time at the gym instead of the computer lab.

  “Cutting it close. I believe security is now after us.” The pilot handed Carlie a set of headphones while keeping his eyes focused on what he was doing. “You might as well get comfortable. We’ll be here for a while.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Braden watched Carlie rush off and tried to ignore the disappointment he felt. He’d followed her to the lab a few days back, wanting to talk to her but he was too nervous whenever he had the opportunity.

  This time he had finally mustered enough courage say something and she had rushed off. He rubbed his chest where she’d run into him and hoped he’d get the chance to talk again. Braden glanced down at his watch and hurried back to his computer. He’d delayed as long as possible so he could talk to Carlie, but now he’d be late for his next class.

  His phone rang loudly in the silence of the lab. He smiled apologetically at the aide sitting in the back and grabbed his backpack.

  Braden answered his phone as he hurried off to teach his class. “Hello?”

  “We found it.” It was Stephen, his contact.

  “Seriously? That’s awesome.” Braden turned and went toward the parking lot. Class could wait. He just hoped his aide had a lesson planned in his absence. She’d forgotten once or twice before.

  “You need to get going. We have a private jet ready for you at the agency, but it can only wait so long. you’ll be flying with a few higher ups and they don’t like to wait.”

  “Thanks, Stephen.” Braden shut his phone and ran toward his car. It was a good thing he kept a bag of supplies in his trunk at all times. He gunned his engine and flew out of the parking lot, headed for the freeway. Traffic was heavier than normal, making him grind his teeth. His bosses didn’t like when he was late.

  Ten miles down the road, he pulled off the freeway and wound his way through the mountains. The agency was nestled in between two cliffs, with a large gate that blended into its surroundings. After showing his badge at several checkpoints, Braden drove around to the other side of the building. A small plane sat running, a guard on each side of the steps.

  Braden double checked to make sure he had everything in his bag before zipping it up and running for the plane. He nodded at the guards and climbed inside.

  “Ah, there you are. We were afraid we’d have to leave you behind,” a man said. He wore a dark suit and his hair was slicked back. This must be Sloan. He was known for his taste in clothes—and for his ever-growing bald spot he tried to hide.

  “Sorry, I got here as soon as I could.” Braden sat in one of the seats and buckled up. One of the attendants walked to the front of the plane and it started moving forward shortly after. They hadn’t been kidding when they said they wanted to leave.

  “So, Braden, congratulations on your new assignment.” The other man in the airplane took a drink from the attendant and raised his glass.

  Braden grinned. “Thanks. I’ve been waiting for this one. I appreciate being given the chance to go along.”

  “Well, you know if this goes through, you’ll be given the chance for many more assignments in the future,” Sloan said. “And I was told you teach archaeology?”

  “Yes, I’ve been teaching for a couple of years now.” Braden fiddled with the strap on his bag. He was nervous around these men, and he wanted to get off the plane as soon as he could. “So where are we going?”

  “Salt Lake City to catch the connecting flight to Egypt. Your briefing is in that folder there. I suggest you study it before we land. You won’t be taking it with you.” Sloan turned to the other man and they began talking in low voices.

  Braden shook his head and picked up the folder. The notes detailed the itinerary from when he got out in Salt Lake City until he reached the pyramids. Nervous excitement filled him. He’d only been on two other assignments and they’d been small. This one, however, had been his idea and he’d done the majority of the research to find the artifact.

  His mind drifted to Carlie. He could have kicked himself for letting her get away before he could say anything. Her quiet confidence made her already beautiful looks even more attractive to him. He’d asked around to try and find out more about her, but she was a mystery to most of his other colleagues. Those who did know her commented on her bright blue eyes and forever long legs, but said she was distant when she had the laptop in front of her—which was most of the time.

  “Would you like something to eat? Peanuts? Crackers?” the attendant asked.

  “Um, sure. I’d love some crackers. Thanks.” He looked up and smiled, making her blush. He glanced down at the folder, going over the details again. When they said he’d be leaving the details behind, they weren’t kidding. He learned that the hard way on his first assignment.

  “All right.” She walked into another part of the plane and brought back a couple packages of crackers.

  “Thanks.” He absentmindedly opened the package as he stared at the folder in front of him. He couldn’t be thinking of Carlie right now. He quickly memorized the coordinates for the pyramid where the necklace was located, then pulled the tickets out of the folder and put them inside his bag.

  Half an hour later, they began their descent and Braden ran through everything in his mind again as they taxied down the runway.

  “Good luck, young man. Remember, we need this necklace. Your job is hanging on whether or not you get it.” Sloan and the other man climbed out of the plane and Braden followed.

  Man, no pressure at all. Braden hurried toward the terminal, hoping the line wouldn’t be too long to get through security. He checked his bag—most of the supplies inside would never get through the metal detector—and moved to the next line. Excited chatter surrounded him as families talked about their upcoming vacations. Braden checked and double checked to make sure he had his tickets and passport ready.

  “Next.” The security guard checked his ID and tickets, glanced up at Braden’s face, then handed it back to him.

  Braden pulled off his shoes and set those and his wallet and backpack into a bin and waited for his turn to go through. Up ahead a little girl screamed for her teddy bear that had to be put in a bin. The mother argued about the necessity of taking a girl’s toy away, but Braden knew all too well that things could be hidden in the stuffing. He’d nearly lost a hand on
his last trip because of a stuffed animal.

  The child finally calmed down when the bear was safely back in her hands. Braden smiled as he stepped through the metal detector. The alarm went off, shaking him out of his thoughts. He patted his pants pockets and shook his head. How could have he forgotten to take out his keys?

  Once he was cleared, Braden picked up everything and went to find something to eat. He hadn’t had lunch, and it was nearly dinner time, so he grabbed a sandwich, drink, and a newspaper to read, then headed for his gate. It would be another half hour before it was time to board.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Carlie held on to her ticket and rushed through the airport. They’d had to wait for clearance to touch down, so she was a little late for the flight. She ran to the gate and showed her ticket before heading on to the plane.

  As she was putting her luggage up above her, Carlie felt someone staring at her and turned to see the guy from the computer lab—Braden?—sitting a few seats away. He quickly looked down at his newspaper when he caught her looking at him. Suspicion ran through her. What was he doing here? Had he been in the lab just to spy on her?

  “Ma’am please take your seat. We need to get ready for take-off.” The stewardess had a kind smile, but her eyes showed Carlie that she wasn’t one to mess with.

  “Sorry.” She quickly sat down and put on her seatbelt.

  The pre-flight instructions started, so Carlie leaned back in her chair and prepared for the long flight. The plane was large and filled with noisy, anxious people ready to get going. She was next to the window, and the woman next to her had already put headphones on, clearly not wanting to talk. Carlie was completely fine with that since she had plenty of work to do on the way.

  Once the seatbelt light went off, Carlie stood to go back and use the bathroom—along with half the passengers. She groaned and sat back down in her chair, deciding she could wait until everyone else was done. She pulled out her tablet and made sure it was on airplane mode, then read through the last minute instructions she’d received from Ed.