Page 125 of False Flag

“It’s a four-hour drive.”

“So fly. Or go to the Navy Yard or Pentagon. I don’t care.”

“Or I can stay here and participate in the meeting. Afterward, I’ll buy you dinner.”

“I need to work.”

“Then we’ll get takeout. You need to eat.”

“I can get my own dinner, thank you.”

He took a step toward her and raised a hand as if to touch her hair, but dropped it. His gaze focused on her mouth. “You ever think about that night?” he whispered.

Only every minute of every day when I’m not thinking about work.

“No.”

He smiled. “Liar.”

“Listen, I’m not falling for your bullshit. I’m not naïve. I know the only reason you pretend to be interested in me is because of Laskin. Now, if you will kindly leave my apartment, I have work to do.”

He huffed out a sigh. “I’m part of this op whether you like it or not. My AOIC scuba dived by himself to infiltrate the island, and now he’s again by himself in a Pacific Northwest forest, working to dismantle the very same kind of signal blockers that were used to keep my SEAL team from calling for help as I was bleeding out. I’m here for Jake. Not you. Not Laskin.”

“I can’t let you sit in on the meeting without approval from Freya and your XO.”

He gave her a tight smile. “Check your messages, babe. They’ve already given it.”

Chapter Forty-Four

Before leaving the basement studio, Dahlia stopped her. “Gerard wants to upload both segments of the interview in the next hour.”

“Fine.” Staci held up her digital recorder once again. “Don’t edit my words to change the context. I have proof of what I said.”

“Oh, we know. Casper had a fit last time.”

“He expected me to be another sycophant.”

“To be fair, he expects everyone to be a sycophant.”

“I saw his helicopter take off this morning. Where is he off to?”

“I don’t care as long as he’s not here.”

Staci raised a brow, then stepped inside the soundproof control booth and closed the door. “Spill.”

Dahlia glanced toward the window that faced the recording studio. Gerard was watching. She leaned against the closed door and fiddled with the knob, locking it before she dropped into her chair and swiveled, turning her back to the window. “Let’s just say I wish Casper was like Jake and Lloyd and only had eyes for you.”

Staci was eternally grateful he did not. “All you have to do to repulse him is point out he’s a Nazi.”

“He doesn’t mind being called a Nazi. I think he likes it. What bothers him is you make him feel like he might not be the smartest person in the room.”

“There’s no might about it. And you’re ten times smarter than him too. Put him in his place.”

She shook her head. “I need this job. Gerard pays far more than I would get elsewhere, and I can easily be replaced.”

“I doubt that. And you know, an NDA can’t prevent you from calling out sexual harassment.”

“He’s one of the richest men in the world, and my boss is a millionaire with a massive following. You really think I stand a chance against their lawyers? Or their fans? When all I’ve got is my word against Osborne’s?”