Page 48 of Velvet Vaughn

“Where are you now?” Logan asked.

“Leo’s condo in St. Louis.”

“How long have you been running this solo?”

She winced. “I found out about it last night during the picnic and drove over.”

“Who’s seen what’s on the flash drive?” Luke wanted to know.

“Besides Leo and me, Tyler handled the decryption.”

“All right.”

Two words, and Anja felt the shift through the phone, the ninety seconds of fury folding neatly into operational mode. She’d seen it happen in person a dozen times, and it never got less impressive.

“We need to keep this off the books for now,” she insisted. “The inside threat is unconfirmed. I don’t know how far it extends.”

“Understood.” Logan transformed immediately into problem-solving mode. “We’ll send Remi over to assist you. Whatever gear you need, get a list to Tank ASAP and Remi can bring it with him.”

Perfect. “I’ll need a safe house. Two, actually. One for us here in St. Louis and one for Devonte’s family in Baton Rouge.”

“BeBe can have both for you by morning,” Luke assured her.

“I doubt she’ll enjoy a call this late on a Saturday.”

“BeBe enjoys everything.” Logan chuckled. “It’s unnerving.”

Her smile faded. “One more thing.”

“Chloe,” Logan guessed before she could get there.

“Kayne would kill me if Leo was in danger and I didn’t give him a heads-up.” Not to mention that Chloe wouldn’t be able to leave the compound until this was resolved.

Luke replied, “We’ll let you handle that call.”

Fantastic. And here she’d been hoping they’d fall on their swords for her.

“Take care of yourself out there,” Logan added. “Keep us posted.”

She thanked them both and disconnected.

Down the hall, she could hear the muffled sounds of a closet door opening, then a drawer. She had maybe five minutes.

She pulled up Kayne’s number. The photo on his contact page was the one she’d taken herself at his and Chloe’s wedding, mostly because she’d wanted evidence that the man was capable of smiling, which she had no reason to believe before that evening. It was a great picture. He looked annoyingly happy in it.

“Hey, Anja.” He answered fast, not groggy at all. Technically, he was still a newlywed, and she cringed, wondering what she’d interrupted. “What’s up?”

“I need you to listen before you react.”

“Well, that’s never a great opening. Hang on.”

She heard muffled voices and the distinct sound of kissing. She almost hung up out of respect, but then a door closed.

“What’s going on?”

“Chloe is safe right now, and I need you to remember that and stay calm while I tell you the rest.”

He didn’t speak, which spoke volumes.