Simone pulled out her phone, typed out a text to Z.
I need your help
…
See you in ten
She showed the text to Luciano. “Did you know?”
“No,” he said. “I expect the worst, so I’m never surprised when it happens.”
Interesting.
“You don’t like him?” she asked.
“He sent you to spy on me, so, no, he’s not my favorite person.”
“You should be thanking him,” Simone said dryly.
“Why’s that?”
“The night we met, you got yourself a sweet blowjob.”
A rumbling growl shot out of him. “I’ll be sure to mention that.”
She bit back a smile.
Stuart parked in Sin’s private lot behind his building in Georgetown. They went inside, rode upstairs to Develin & Associates. Sin’s assistant, Erica, escorted them to Sin’s office.
Knock-knock.
“Come in,” said Sin.
Erica opened the door and they entered his spacious office. “Can I get anyone a beverage?”
“Sparkling waters,” Sin said, and Erica hurried out.
Sin and Z rose from the conference room table. Simone shook their hands.
“Good to see you again, Z,” she said.
“Congratulations on your promotion,” he replied. “ALPHA is where you need to be.”
Z extended his hand to Luciano. “No hard feelings, Mr. Santini.”
Luciano accepted the handshake. “It’s only business, no?”
Sin’s wife, Evangeline, joined them.
Sin’s gaze softened. A look passed between husband and wife. It was quick, but Simone caught it. Like a silent language between soulmates.
“I asked Evangeline to join us,” Sin said as his wife eased down at the conference table. “Evan, please.”
“Simone,” Evangeline began, “if The Bomb Maker has access to ALPHAnet, he’s watching to see who’s working the case. That makes you vulnerable. I want to help. Whatever you need. Our site is secure, and I’m available twenty-four-seven.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. Just to be safe, I’ll keep my notes offline.”
“Can you manage the case without writing anything down?” Z asked.
