Page 12 of Wrecked With You

Eventually I got some leeway, sure. With my skillset, they allowed me that. And maybe there was a bit of trust there, too, at the end. I don’t know. All I know is that I was nothing but a toy for my father and then a puppet for the government. When I finally got clear and opened my own shop and started calling my own shots, the freedom was heady.

And deep down, I’m really not sure that agreeing to join Stark Security was the best plan.

Correction—that’s not a deep down fear. That’s a right under the surface fear. I’ve almost pulled the plug so many times, and yet something keeps pulling me toward this group. Something more than Eliza’s connection. Just because her man is an agent doesn’t mean I need to be one, too.

No, I the truth is, I’ve seen how competent they are, not to mention how many resources are at the agents’ disposal. And there is a lot of appeal to being part of a group that does good work. I’ve been telling myself that for months. I think I even finally believe it. Hell, I accepted the job. God knows the pay took some of the sting out of the decision.

But still, I’ve had these niggling doubts. And now they’ve become a little more than niggling since I’m already getting this subtle dressing down for my first mission. Which, of course, wasn’t really a mission. And which, of course, broke all of the SSA’s rules.

“You get what I’m saying, right?” Stark continues. “No secret missions. No hidden vendettas. We expect it. I expect it.”

I nod, but I already know I’ll break those rules if I have to. If it’s something personal—like to protect Eliza or myself from a ghost from our past—I’m not pulling the SSA into my shit. Fortunately, now that Cane’s dead, the last ties to the nightmare of our childhood have been severed. Now, I’m all about the job someone pays me for. And if the Stark Security Agency is footing the bill, then I’m an open book.

“I get it,” I say.

“Good. Other than that, we have only one firm policy.”

“And that is?”

“Do a damn good job.”

“I always do.”

He smiles, and I see the man who has so often charmed the world. “That’s why we hired you.”

“Is this about my first official SSA job? Are you partnering me with Sanchez?”

He glances over my shoulder at the man. “No. And yes.”

I say nothing, just wait for him to explain.

“He’s not with the SSA. But I do owe him a favor. He has a meeting scheduled with an informant on the Debauchery Resort. But he can’t get in—”

“—without a woman.” I nod, trying to mask my annoyance—not to mention the fears that I jumped too quickly to join this team. I thought they wanted me for my skills. Instead, I’m accompanying someone who isn’t even with the SSA on a trip so that I can be arm candy?

“Is that a problem?”

“Actually, it is.” I cross my arms and shift my stance. “I thought you hired me because I’m all kinds of good at my job. But instead you’re pawning me off on some civilian who needs an escort?”

“First of all, I’m not pawning you off. And second, I’m very aware of your skill set. You demonstrated some of those skills last night, very skillfully utilizing a litany of equipment you had Quince pull from SSA inventory.”

“So this is a hand slap. You’re upset I didn’t get permission and so now I’m being punished and shoved into a bikini? Come on, Stark I got enough of that kind of petty game-playing working for the government.”

“Emma, that’s not what this is.”

“I know exactly what this is.” Who am I fooling thinking I can join this big family that Stark’s spouting off about? I can’t. I know it. And I should have known better than to even try.

“This is a mistake,” I continue. “And you know what, Stark? If you owe him the favor, then you put on the fucking bikini. I’m out.”

The words are out before I can call them back, but maybe it’s for the best. And so with that total career bomb still echoing across the court, I turn on my heel, shoot Antonio Sanchez a half-angry, half-apologetic look, and march straight off the tennis court toward my car.

Chapter Four

Tony tried to keep a straight face as he crossed the court toward Stark, but it wasn’t easy. He wasn’t sure if he was amused, turned on, or just impressed as hell. But he knew one thing for certain—Emma Tucker had some serious cojones.

“I’ll talk to Ryan about recalling Leah. She doesn’t have as much field work under her belt, but she’s smart and trained and—”

Tony held up a hand. “I want Emma.”