“How are you today?”
“Fine, thanks.” Carly pushed away from the counter. “Thanks for your help,” she said to the clerk.
“What brings you into our fabulous motor pool office?” Internado asked.
She blanked for a brief second. “You’re Senator Internado, right?”
He puffed out like a peacock. “Why yes, yes I am.”
“Good luck with your campaign,” she said and hurried out.
George Internado wasn’t just trying to tear down Ashton’s company, he could be Rose Aurora’s killer. And Grandpa’s, too.
Her blood ran cold as she slid into the car. “Internado walked in while I was there and chatted me up.”
Ashton’s eyebrows jutted over his sunglasses. “Any chance he recognized you from Greta’s?”
“I didn’t stick around long enough to find out.”
“When do you get the report?” he asked, merging into traffic.
“A couple of weeks.”
“I’m running out of time, babe.”
“I know, Ash. I’m pushing hard to get answers. And we still have Greta’s.”
He drew her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “I know you are.”
Ten minutes later, they waited while ThunderStrike’s chain-link gate slowly squeaked open. “I’ve gotta get this thing fixed. It’s too damn slow.”
As soon as they entered the building, Ashton’s demeanor changed. She’d noticed it when she worked there yesterday. He exuded the same high level of confidence and charisma, but the loud showman had been replaced with a quiet strength that kept her locked on his every word.
He checked in with Anne at reception.
“Penelope and Gunner are waiting for you in the mission room,” Anne said. “I brewed a fresh pot of coffee and spoke with Douglas Hill.”
Ashton raised an eyebrow. “Let me get Carly situated and I’ll circle back.”
“Carly might like working in the empty office at the far end of the building rather than the safe room.”
“She stays in the safe room.”
Carly loved that he was vigilant about her safety. They walked down the hallway, but Ashton pulled her to a stop outside a closed door marked, MISSION CENTRAL.
“Your security clearance doesn’t permit you to join me in here.”
“That’s okay. I need to get started—”
“I want you to see the hub of ThunderStrike, so Gunner made a few modifications.”
He peered into her eyes. The energy between them shifted. His power and magnetism tugged her closer. She tilted her face and gazed up at him. “I would love that.”
“Are you tempting me?”
She couldn’t look away. “Always.”
He leaned down, brushed his lips to hers. “You are irresistible.”
