Page 19 of The Specialist

“What kind?”

“Old country. Russia, I am guessing.”

“Hmm,” Damien said. “Interesting.”

“I ran him through some databases. No hits,” I said. “But he knows my past, or at least part of it. I don’t know what he wants.”

Damien was quiet. “You could have an unwanted admirer.”

I groaned. “Just what I need.”

“I’ll run the picture through the HJ system. See what I can find.”

I sighed. “That would be great. I never expected to need that sort of access again.”

Once Damien had left Hidden Justice and turned over the role of Watcher to someone else, all the equipment had been removed and stored elsewhere. Any access was removed—except, of course, for the man himself. The software we had at Elite was nowhere near as powerful or encompassing.

“I still have some pull,” he stated mildly.

I laughed at his understatement. Then, hearing voices in the background, I decided to let him get on with his day. “I will let you go. Let me know if you come up with anything.”

“I will. He could have come across some old snippet about you. Or heard rumors. He could be a wannabe.”

“Or wants to rob a bank and thinks I could break him in through the basement. He didn’t seem overly bright. More muscle than brains. I think he’s been watching too many movies.”

Damien laughed. “Not to change the subject, but Sofia called me earlier.”

“Oh?”

“It appears you have made some progress with my cousin.”

I thought about the progress I had made. How enjoyable it had been. But I wouldn’t share that with Damien. “Yes. We have talked. I know her past, and she is willing to give us a chance.”

“You should tell her yours. Be honest.”

“I know. I will. Tonight. Once I have cooked her dinner.”

And made love to her so thoroughly that she wouldn’t care much about my sordid past. But I didn’t say that to Damien.

“What does mio uomo mean?” I asked.

“Friend with a big ego,” he replied.

I had to laugh. “She told you to say that.”

He laughed too. “Loosely translated, it means ‘my man.’”

I liked that.

“Good luck.” He paused. “Treat her well, Egan. She’s my family.”

“She’ll be mine as well,” I assured him. “And my world.”

I hung up.

CHAPTER SIX

Sofia