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“I’ll tell Leo.” I smiled. “Speaking of Leo, I better get going.” I had an hour before he’d be home.
“Making another gourmet dinner?” she teased. “Paul still talks about that chicken you made.”
“I think it’s just going to be spaghetti tonight. I need a break from gourmet.”
I walked to the door. “Thanks for the tea. And for all the other things. I appreciate it.”
“We’ll go shopping soon. We need stunning dresses.”
I smiled. “Bye. I’ll talk to you later.”
I stepped into the hallway and walked to the elevator. On my way, I passed the small office. The door was ajar. I paused in front of it for a second. Oh shit. There was someone in there today. I scurried past, mortified that someone had to work at the desk today. I’d experienced new things on that desk. Over-the-top eroticism that still made my clit tingle.
I tapped the button for the elevator. I jumped inside and rode to the top floor.
Last night would always be burned in my memory. Like so many nights with Vaughn. I leaned into the carriage wall. I rubbed my hand over my pocket where the numbers to Paul’s safe were written. Now, it was up to me to make sure we
had an entire future ahead of us of nights like that. Only, I wanted them to be in our own bed. In our own house. With no prying ears or eyes.
Chapter Eighteen
The doorbell rang while we were eating dinner. Vaughn looked up from his plate of spaghetti.
“I’ll get it,” he volunteered.
I had been holding my breath all day, waiting for the Blackwing courier. I didn’t know when or how he would request the code. I suspected everyone I came in contact with. I was suspicious when I walked into Marie’s for an afternoon coffee. Hesitant when a guest rode the elevator with me. There had been an hour when I sat by the window, watching people pass on the sidewalk, wondering if one of them was headed to our building. What would the agent look like? How did I know I was giving it to the right person? What if Eloise didn’t trust the task with one of her agents? Maybe she would want to question me herself. I had no interest in seeing her.
I shook my head at Vaughn, despite the tight knot in my belly. I had to complete the mission from start to finish. I didn’t want to believe it was my pride. I didn’t want to think I had to prove a point to Eloise. That I could do this without Vaughn. He and I were a team. It wasn’t supposed to be competitive. How did I turn off that part of my psyche?
“It’s probably for me. Let me answer.”
He followed behind me anyway.
I had copied the numbers from Aubrey on another piece of paper, and stored the original in the office safe in Vaughn’s desk. I opened the door. A delivery man stood in front of us holding a box. If I hadn’t been expecting this exchange all day, I would never have known he was anything other than a mail carrier. I would have been surprised that there was mail for me. I would have questioned it.
“Bon soir.” He nodded, handing me the package. He wore a ball cap embroidered with the fake company’s logo.
I looked at the parcel. My name was scribbled in marker on the brown paper. The courier cleared his throat.
Vaughn nudged me. “I think you need to sign for it, babe.”
“Oh right.” I reached into my pocket for the code to Paul’s safe. There was nothing smooth and polished about the way I handled the collection.
I had felt deceptive inside Aubrey’s apartment, but this was far worse. This was the moment I handed Blackwing the details. Having the code in my possession wasn’t illegal, but this was. I was violating my friend’s trust. I was helping them pull off an incredible con. I hated every part of it.
“Go ahead. He needs your signature,” Vaughn reminded me.
I nodded. I took the clipboard from the man and placed the notecard under the clip. I gave it back to him.
“Merci.” He turned for the elevator and Vaughn closed the door.
“That’s done.” He pulled me into a hug. “It’s over.”
I closed my eyes. “I don’t ever want to do that again,” I whispered. I think we both knew if we didn’t escape, it wouldn’t be the last time. There would be more tests of loyalty. More pressure. More assignments.
“I know you don’t, but you did good work. Eloise will be happy with the result. How about I open that new bottle of red?”
“I don’t think I can celebrate. I just want to go to bed.” I stepped away and walked past my uneaten plate of spaghetti and salad on the kitchen island and headed for the bedroom.
