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Tilting his head to the side, Marco perched on the edge of the desk. He sensed there was more to the story, but he decided not to push… not yet.
“You can help by giving me what my guy needs to decrypt the flash drive.”
“Fair enough,” Max replied with a resigned sigh, pulling a tiny notebook and pen from his inside breast pocket. “He probably already has the software,” Max continued, scribbling on a piece of paper and tearing it off. “If he doesn’t, this will tell him what he needs to know. Now I’m going to give you some advice,” Max said solemnly, handing it over. “Something your father once told me.”
“My father?” Marco repeated. “Just how well did you know him?”
“That’s a story for another time. Are you listening?”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“When you play both sides against the middle, you’re likely to get squashed.”
“Yeah, I know that, so what are you saying?”
“Get out. Let the FBI take over.”
“Not possible,” Marco said, shaking his head. “Things are coming to a head and I’m the only one who can make sure the operation goes through, but Max, when this is behind me, I’d like to get together for a drink and share some war stories.”
“You’ll take care of Steph?”
“I will definitely take care of Steph,” Marco replied. “I’ll make sure she stays safe, and gets exactly what she needs.”
Chapter 19
Slowly waking from a deep doze and opening her eyes, Steph experienced a brief moment of panic. She didn’t know where she was or how she got there. But as the fog lifted, and she remembered the terrifying attack in the garage, a shiver shuddered through her body.
The Zeppelin brothers.
They knew about her.
Would she ever be safe again?
Wondering why she’d pushed her luck, she ran her hands over her face and let out a groan. “What’s wrong with me? I’m such an idiot. Max will kill me—assuming one of those brothers doesn’t get to me first.”
Rolling over and spying the old-fashioned phone, she remembered Carmine’s offer. Craving coffee, she picked up the receiver and dialed zero.
“Carmine.”
“Hi, it’s Steph.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Okay, I guess. Kind of groggy though. Is it possible to get a cup of coffee?”
“Sure, and I’ll bring you a bite to eat as well. How does a slice of tiramisu sound?”
“Divine.”
“I’ll be there in five minutes.”
“Thank you.”
Slipping from the bed, she padded across the thick burgundy carpet and into the bathroom. The moment she saw the shower, she turned on the faucets and stripped off. Surprised to see a basket of amenities and discovering a plastic cap, she stuffed her hair beneath it and stepped under the hot water.
Never had a shower felt so good.
Stepping back and opening her eyes, she spied a gel pump on the wall. Pressing the plunger, a dollop of the soap plopped into her hand, and in seconds she was cloaked in a refreshing peppermint aroma. As she covered her body with the fragrant foam, her foggy state began to lift. Rinsing off and letting out a relieved breath, she stepped from the stall, grabbed a towel and dried off.
