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Amy looked back at Lark. “Who’s that?”
“I just met her. She’s a friend of Lawrence’s.”
Amy gave Lawrence a pointed look.
“She’s my cousin Rhonda’s wife. She used to work as a building inspector in New York, and now she’s here working in D.C. as a consultant for construction companies to cut through red tape. She’s got you covered.”
“Hi, my name is Stephanie.” A petite blonde stepped forward. “I used to work for Milkin and Milkin design, but I started my own agency last year. I’d heard that your designer quit, and I was wondering if you were willing to take on a new agency like mine. I brought my portfolio with me.”
“How do you know my designer quit? He just called me this morning to say he was offered a hotel project in Dubai.”
“Word travels fast in the design industry. Jim and his firm had been on the shortlist for that project for the last month. The client pulled the trigger last night, so I knew I could present to you if they got the job.”
“So you’re not with Lark and Lawrence?” Amy asked.
“Who?”
Amy laughed. “I’m liking this, it sounds like my luck is turning around. Stephanie, can you come back in an hour? I’ll be able to look over your portfolio then.”
The woman’s face lit up. “Absolutely.” She thrust out her hand and Amy shook it, then watched her walk out the door. She turned to where Lark and Lawrence were standing. Both of them were smirking.
“So, what were your other problems?” Lark asked.
Ryker’s face flashed before her eyes before she forced it away.
Bad girl. I’m not going to think about him. He doesn’t need someone like me in his life.
“Charlie’s replacement chef in Minneapolis was having trouble with his start date. Now Charlie won’t get here until next week. He’s only created half of the menu, he hasn’t met with any of the local suppliers and he still has people to hire!”
“Calm down, little girl,” Lawrence said as he put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ve already got the resumes out to Charlie for the staff, he’s been interviewing online, and I’ve been checking references.”
Amy could feel the boulders falling off her shoulders.
“You’re wonderful, Lawrence. I’m going to name my firstborn after you.”
“Hopefully you won’t give birth to a girl.” His eyes were twinkling. “So, anymore concerns, problems, misgivings?”
“I haven’t had time to shave my legs this week, can you help with that?”
Lawrence turned to Lark. “I’m outta here, she’s all yours.”
8
They’d just landed at Incirlik Air Base. Gideon had been going over the incoming orders as they were deplaning, reading them out loud to Kostya. As soon as they hit the tarmac, the Wing Commander of the base joined them.
Fuck, it can’t be good.
The commander and Kostya peeled off for a brief conversation, but soon Kostya was waving Gideon over, and then the three of them looked like they were sucking sour lemons. Yep, it was bad news from their good old friends, the CIA. Not that they couldn’t be really good assets, but they could also fuck things up in ways that made the cosmos look logical.
Kostya and Gideon finally nodded and the commander strode away and climbed into a truck. Ryker saw his boss roll his shoulders then turn around—yep, it was going to be shitty news.
Ryker looked over at Linc and Jase who were on either side of him. Not that he needed to; he knew what every single one of the men of Omega Sky was thinking.
How can we make this shitty situation for our boss better?
Kostya came over to where his team was waiting. “I’m going to give this to you down and dirty before the commander sends one of his men to pick us up. After that, it’s nothing but yes sir and yes sir. Questions are for now. Got it?”
Ryker and everybody else nodded.
