“Are you trying to control everything because you’re not sure you can actually do it?”
Kaden’s expression hardened. “This isn’t about me.”
“Itis,” Joe said. “You’re scared.”
Kaden didn’t deny it, but he didn’t agree either. “I’m keeping you out of it.”
Joe shook his head. “Too late for that.”
Silence hung between them. Their first disagreement but Joe couldn’t give way on this.
“You think I’m going to let you walk in there alone with that thing?” Joe was quieter now but more certain. “Not happening.”
Kaden exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Joe—”
“No,” Joe cut in. “We started this together. We finish it together.”
Kaden pulled him down and into his arms. “I don’t—”
Joe put his hand over Kaden’s mouth. “This is better done with two. He’s expecting two of us. I can distract him while you put the device in place. Don’t even think about arguing with me. I’m coming with you.”
He released his hold and Kaden sighed. “I don’t—”
Joe put his hand back on his mouth. “No moreI.Onlywe.Wearrive on time.Weact like we belong there.Wesmile and set him at ease.”
Kaden took Joe’s wrist and pulled his hand away. “This isn’t a game.”
“I know. I’m there to do a job. I need to take a few formal shots in a place with good lighting and an interesting but not revealing background, and I’ll take a few more while you’re talking. I’ve read up on what to do. I’ve watched photographers at work.”
Kaden looked at him, really looked this time. “And if it goes wrong?”
“Then we deal with it,” Joe said. “Together. Anyway, I think Alistair will help us. He won’t want to risk us giving anyone his name.”
Kaden held his gaze for a few seconds more, then looked away. “Fine,” he said at last, the word swollen with reluctance.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out the device and turned it over between his fingers. “It looks harmless, doesn’t it?”
“Yet it has the power to bring down a member of the government. Maybe more than that.”
Kaden gave a quiet chuckle. “This feels like something out of a film. What if Blake has us sitting somewhere else? A different room? What if he notices me trembling?”
“Tell him you’re awed to be in his presence.”
Kaden burst out laughing. “Right.”
“I need some shots of his office. That will give you opportunity in there.” Joe slid his hand into Kaden’s. “Drop your phone. Fasten your shoe.”
“What if we don’t do it?” Kaden said.
“Don’t do any of it?”
“Don’t leavethe device,” Kaden clarified. “I do the interview. You take the photographs. That’s it.”
Joe studied him for a moment. He wasn’t sure what was going through Kaden’s head.
“Then we walk away with whatever he chooses to tell us,” Joe said.
Kaden nodded slowly.
