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Suddenly tired of his brother’s cat and mouse games, he asked in a harsh voice, “Why are you here?”
Ash shrugged, avoiding his eyes. “My supervisor thought I needed to burn some vacation.”
Zeke’s attention sharpened. His beef with his brother faded into the background at the scent of a common enemy. “Is that true?”
“Considering that I haven’t taken any time off in two years, true enough.”
“What about the case? How does it move forward without its UCA?”
“I’m not the UCA.”
“What’s your role with the case?”
“Co-case agent.”
“Co-what?”
“Over the past year, I’ve teamed up with Liv on some of her art or cultural property crime cases.”
A red cloud filled his vision at the thought of Ash and Liv working together. “Anything going on between the two of you?” The question ripped from his throat.
“Me and who, exactly?”
“Liv—Olivia—Agent Westcott, dammit.”
Ash studied him for a long, too-knowing moment. “Did she say something was going on between us?”
“Forget it.” Zeke made a slashing motion with his hand. “You still working cybersecurity?”
Ash smirked. “That’s what I do full-time. Art crime is my collateral job.”
“You’re Westcott’s backup on this case?”
“That was the plan, until you took your sweet damn time.” His brother’s mask slipped into hard, uncompromising lines. “They expected your answer before now.”
“What are you saying? Your sups didn’t get what they wanted, so they’re punishing you instead? What kind of fucked-up organization do you work for?”
“The kind that doesn’t wait around for perfect timing.”
“Did they also place Agent Westcott on leave?”
“Doubtful. She’s your partner, after all.”
Zeke gritted his teeth. “Tell Cruz to keep everyone on target for the Warner recovery. I’ll be back tomorrow, at the latest.”
“Tell him yourself, when you discuss the Bureau’s offer with the team.”
“I need to clear up something before I can have that conversation.”
“Clear up what?”
An image of Zeke standing on Mitch Lawson’s neck was quickly replaced with one of Liv’s beautiful body spread out beneath him. “Some unfinished business.”
