Page 70 of Breached

“What?” Bruno snapped. He hated to be out of the loop. He was so predictable.

“One sec. I’m going to share my screen with you.” Paul clicked away, and a moment later, something loud crashed, and I grinned with pure delight as I listened to Bruno freak out as he watched the video of Paul and me unfold in front of him.

“I added a few spicy scenes just to drive the knife a little deeper.” I winked at John. “It’ll wind him up and drive him mad. He wants me all to himself.” I shrugged, feeling pretty damn good.

“I’m not sure if I should be proud or terrified right about now.” John’s eyes were wide.

“Meh, it’s just playing his game back at him.” I headed for the door. “As much as I’d love to watch the show, I’m tired, and bed is calling my name.”

“I’m so sorry, my friend,” I heard Paul say to Bruno. “It seems the reporter is obviously enjoying herself. But don’t you worry. You will soon have her and the child.”

“See you tomorrow.” John waved.

“Night.” I took one last look through the glass at Paul all done up as Eric Noah. I tilted my head and, somehow, my brain was able to sort through the years of memories, allowing me to oddly make peace with it all. I nodded. I got this. Then I opened the door and left.

The next day came and went, and by the time I hit my pillow, my ear was sore, and my head swam. Rarely had I spent so much time talking on the phone. I’d placed calls to numerous reporters from all across Mexico. Jack and I pulled double duty to ensure that the Washington Post would have firsthand knowledge of what was happening with the tunnels. Plus, I wanted the reporters to be distracted so Sully could move his product without any surprises or interruptions. To get anything done in the drug world, you had to play the game, and his shipment needed to go off without a hitch. I could turn the tables on him in time, but if I were to be honest with myself, I didn’t see Sully as a threat. Not at that point.

A gust of cold air made me jump, but I quickly settled as Paul’s strong arms wrapped around me and he tugged me flush against his front.

“As much as I hate you still being here, I love you being here.” He breathed in deeply and squeezed me tight. “It’s been a crazy busy day.”

“Oh, well,” I moved his hand and started to slide away, “maybe I should go,” I teased.

“You’re not going anywhere.” His leg slipped over mine and pinned me in place. “Mine.”

I chuckled, loving the sound of that. “You sound like Chase.”

“Smart boy.” He kissed my shoulder and propped himself up on his arm. “I wanted to ask you something.”

I rolled onto my side to look at him. “Okay.”

“Cole was thinking it would be smart for you and me to go have an early dinner at Zack’s tomorrow. Just in case anyone saw the rest of the family leave Redstone yesterday and decided to report it to Bruno.”

Fucking Liza.

“Yeah, let’s give them something to report back about.” I smirked, and his face broke into a grin.

“What do you have in mind?”

“Strip and I’ll show ya.”

The next morning, I woke with sore legs and one hell of a happy smile. With a floppy hand, I turned the clock around and nearly choked at the time. How could it be almost one in the afternoon? I knew Paul and I had finally passed out around two, but to sleep until after lunchtime was unheard of for me. I rushed to get ready and later found Doc Roberts in the kitchen staring out the big window at the lake.

“Good, ah,” I stumbled with the timing, “afternoon, Dr. Roberts.” I pressed my hands into the kitchen island and eyed the coffee pot. It was probably hours old. The doctor didn’t move as I scootched by him and stood by his side. I snagged an apple as I went. “Something interesting going on out there?” I was bad at small talk if it wasn’t work-related. I looked up and saw he seemed stuck in thoughts. I touched his arm, and he jumped.

“Oh! Goodness me!” He rubbed his chest as his eyes glossed over. “Sorry, Nicole. I didn’t hear you come in.”

I smiled but wondered where in the world his head had been. “That’s okay. I was just saying hello.”

He ran a hand down his tie and placed his glass of water in the sink. “No, thanks, dear.” He looked at the apple in my hand. “I just ate.”

Huh?

With that, he turned and left. I’d seen the expression on his face—he looked like a lost soul. Paul had told me how close he and Abigail had been, and I was sure her death played on him hard. It made sense with all that was about to happen that his head was with her. Poor man. I wondered who he spoke with when he needed an ear. I hoped it was Zack.

“There you are.” Paul came into the kitchen in his normal camo pants, boots, black t-shirt, and cap. “Where have you been all morning?”

“Bed, apparently.” I leaned my hip into the counter. “Even as a teen, I’ve never slept that long.”