Page 4 of Rescuing You

Still, what reason could Leila possibly have to deceive him?

Unless she knew who he was.

Unless she’d been working him all along.

No.

Maybe.

There were too many questions, not nearly enough answers, and certainly none that Stone could provide.

“Where’d they go?”

“Vortex flew to Heathrow,” Stone said, “but she didn’t get off the plane when he did. We’re still working on where the jet went after that.”

Vortex didn’t own a jet, not that Michael knew of. And he knew a lot about the guy. “Charter?” At Stone’s nod, he asked, “You’re sure she’s not in London?”

“She didn’t go through customs. The team watching Vortex hasn’t seen her.”

“Where did he go?”

Stone sighed. “Brock wants you to stand down and trust us to find her.”

Of course he did. Brock never stepped a toe out of line, and if he’d ever had any feelings besides intolerance and scorn, Michael had never seen them.

“Vortex left her on the plane, and the plane took off,” Stone said. “Wherever she is now, my guess is, she’s there willingly.”

“You don’t know that. Somebody could’ve met the plane. There could’ve been someone on it when Vortex and Leila boarded.”

Stone lifted one shoulder and let it drop. “Brock wants to know everything you told her.”

“I didn’t tell her anything.” As rage heated him, Michael’s words got colder. “We went out a couple of times. That’s it.”

“You started dating nine months ago.” For the first time, Stone’s face registered anger. “And lied to us about it.”

Michael should have known they’d learn the whole truth. He’d been vague about his relationship with Leila, but they were spies, after all. Even spies deserved a personal life, didn’t they? “I didn’t lie. I just didn’t mention⁠—”

“Same thing and you know it. Was it her idea to keep your relationship secret?”

“No. And it wasn’t a secret. I just didn’t⁠—”

“She’s been seen with a terrorist, a terrorist you were watching. You wouldn’t be the first agent to be taken down by pillow talk.”

Cold fury stole Michael’s voice. He breathed, considering and then discarding a handful of responses, reminding himself that Stone was his friend. This would be going very differently if Brock really believed Michael had shared secrets with Leila. He’d be in custody, or at least brought in for questioning.

Although that might be Brock’s next move.

“No pillow talk,” Michael said. “No pillows. No sleepovers. Dinners, long walks, mountain hikes, sightseeing. As far as she knows, I’m a salesman.”

“And as far as you know, she’s…”

“A hotel manager.”

“Well, we know you were lying. Maybe she was too.”

“That’s your assessment, or Brock’s?”

Stone’s expression softened. “I trust your judgment. We’re still working on locating her. Brock sent me here to remind you that you’re sidelined until this is over.”