She let out a frustrated sigh. “Then I’ll have to reach out to”—her gaze landed on Hunt before flicking back to Hawke— “an acquaintance for a password cracker and an encrypted flash drive to extract data from Victor’s computer.”
Archer said, “Going with the latter option is the smarter choice. Elise informed me that if anything else happens to you, Romano won’t be our biggest concern.”
A warm smile spread across Penny’s face as the room filled with laughter.
“I wouldn’t doubt her,” Penny said.
“I don’t,” Archer said, dead serious.
Hawke chuckled and turned his attention back to Penny. “Is that all you need?”
“That’s it,” she confirmed.
Archer asked, “How long do you think it will take from when you sit down in Romano’s office to when we leave?”
“Only five minutes,” she answered.
Rhys raised an eyebrow. “Just five minutes?”
Penny nodded. “The majority of that time is spent cracking the passwords and downloading the data. With the right equipment, it doesn’t take long.”
“And the right person operating the equipment,” Hawke added, wanting to remind Penny how crucial she was to this mission.
She laughed quietly. “Yes, andthat.”
Archer moved away from the table and crossed his arms, casting a quick glance toward Rhys. “To prepare for the mission, we’ll need a room to practice in.”
“Consider it done,” Rhys replied confidently. “I’ve got an office building a few blocks away that has an empty basement you can use.”
“Good.” Archer locked eyes with Hunt. “We’ll make sure the evidence gets to you without revealing our identities.”
Hunt nodded in agreement. “As long as I’m at the station. There will be less questions if the package comes to me there.”
“That’s settled,” Archer concluded confidently.
A heavy silence descended upon the room as Hawke’s eyes scanned each person at the table, making sure he had their undivided attention. “We strike at midnight. No hesitations. No second-guessing. We’re bringing this bastard down.”
“Hooyah,” the Navy SEALs cheered in agreement.
10
Back at Hawke’s condo later that night, Penny hung the damp towel on the hook in the bathroom, glad to finally shower after what felt like the longest day. She checked the clock on her cell phone and saw that it was still six hours before midnight. When Hawke suggested taking a break after the meeting, she couldn’t have been more relieved. They still had to make a quick stop for equipment from her supplier before heading back, but at least they got a moment to shower and eat before Hawke began practicing for the mission.
He had taken a shower before her, while she waited for one of the security team to deliver a bag of Elise’s clothes. Penny was thankful that she and Elise were the same size, and even more so, that there was a pack of new underwear and a bra in the bag.
She quickly changed into Elise’s dark green jogging pants and white hoodie. Pulling her hair up into a ponytail, she caught a whiff of a delicious scent wafting from the kitchen, causing her stomach to growl in anticipation and urging her to hurry along.
The scent quadrupled when she opened the door and headed into the hallway. With each step she took, the more she felt pulled forward.
When she took the final step into the living room, her breath hitched. Candles were lit on every possible surface, two iced teas were set out on the coffee table, and cozy blankets were on the couch.
“This is… unexpected,” she exhaled, the words barely escaping.
“A good surprise, I hope.” Hawke’s voice was rich with satisfaction. He emerged from the shadows, every inch the formidable Navy SEAL, yet softened by the tender gleam in his eye. “You like it?”
“Like it?” She laughed. “It’s a great surprise.”
“I’m glad.” He grinned. “I would have preferred cooking for you for our first date, but pizza will have to do, and we can’t drink, so iced tea it is.”
