“Get out of there, Loverboy,” Tenley told him.“I’m starting to get jealous.”
While Reuben stood there, speechless and gaping, Knox gave his hand one last squeeze before he disappeared into the press of bodies and neon.
When Knox climbed back into the surveillance van, Tenley grabbed him by the front of his T-shirt and gave him a deep, open-mouthed kiss.“You were amazing.”
He grinned at her.“I learned from the best.Oh, and I got something for you.”
And with that, he handed her what looked like an expensive watch.She gasped.“Is that…”
“Yep.Reuben’s watch.You’re welcome.”
Tears sprang to her eyes.“Oh, baby, that’s so fucking sweet!”
Hadley watched them kiss again and celebrate simultaneously robbing and conning a man, while Damnit George leaned heavily into her side and Ren muttered something about PDA in his van.She glanced over at Cole.“Is it just me, or does all of this seem way less weird than it would’ve a few days ago?”
He frowned.“Yeah.That’s…disconcerting.”
This is what I’m saying.
Chapter36
Everything was going according to plan.
Ren had planted an abundance of evidence in the CIA network suggesting Franklin was a Russian sleeper agent.Thanks to Tenley’s B&E skills, there was also plenty of planted evidence on his home computer.
The anonymous tip had been sent, and Reuben was already on the hunt.He’d secured a warrant to search Franklin’s place within a couple of hours.That warrant would be executed that very evening.
The confrontation with Franklin would take place in 15 minutes.They’d chosen an abandoned furniture warehouse with no cell signal for the meeting.No chance for civilian casualties if things got ugly.Ren would be there as backup on a neighboring rooftop with a sniper rifle.If all went well, once Franklin knew there was no way out, he’d run and they’d never have to think about him again.
Eric and Stella would maintain a safe distance and would be ready to run if everything fell to shit at any point.Ren had even wiped the bar’s video surveillance to erase all traces of Knox’s presence that night with Reuben, and he and Tenley were more than halfway home by now, free and clear.
He’d even worked out a Plan B with Ren in case everything went sideways.It wasn’t ideal, and it was super risky, but if the worst happened, they might not have a choice.
They’d considered every angle, every possible play Franklin could make.Safeguards and backup plans were in place.It should all go down like clockwork.Except…
Cole had a bad feeling.
He would imagine most people could ignore a bad feeling or two.But Cole’s bad feelings over the years had saved him from getting blown up by hidden roadside bombs and captured by enemy combatants.He trusted his gut and it had never let him down.
So, what the hell were they missing?What was going to go wrong tonight and how could he avoid it to keep Hadley safe?
Hadley ran a fingertip over a piece of decades-old machinery and cringed when it came back black with grime.“We couldn’t have picked a cleaner place for this meeting?”
“This place is perfect from a tactical perspective.And if you’ll remember correctly, I told you to sit this out.Or to at least stay with Ren.”
“And let you have all the fun?No way.”
Over their com earpieces, Ren said, “I’m in place.I can see everything, and I have cameras on all the angles.We’re good to go.”
Cole turned his attention back to Hadley.“You’resureI can’t convince you to wait this out somewhere safe?”
Her smile was all kinds of adorable.It annoyed him.No one should be that cute while defying him.“You jump, I jump, right, Jack?”
“You know I have no idea what that means.”
“We’re going to have to work on your pop culture knowledge when this whole thing is over.I just mean that I’m going wherever you go.”
His chin hit his chest.“Yeah.That’s what I figured you’d say.”
