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“Before tackling the rest of the world.”
“Yes.”
I laughed nervously. “So this really could have been planned for years.”
“Yes, expedited the last two given your advancements and your father’s popularity.”
“You need to find out if the company who was behind the project is on the up and up.”
He thought about what I was saying and nodded. “Agreed, although my guess is that they are a contracted private extension of a secure department within the government.”
“Like the one you’re working for,” I said, studying him intently.
“There are times you’re too smart for your own good.”
Huffing, I rolled my eyes. “Intellectually brilliant but lacking common sense, or so my father would say. Perhaps he’s right. I lived in a bubble for far too long. That stops now.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You followed your heart and what you were doing was and will be amazing.”
“Don’t make me laugh. I doubt I’ll be given that opportunity. Go do what you need to do. I’m not going to do anything stupid.”
“Remember the ring. Use it if anything odd happens.”
“I doubt you’ll let me forget it about the ring, and how can anyone get through the tight security?”
“They can’t. Still…”
Sighing, I shook my head. “This is no life, not for either one of us. And I know what you’re about to say. Be a good girl.”
“Exactly,” he said, tweaking my nose.
When he started to walk away, I wrapped my hand around his wrist, lifting his arm and pressing his fingers against the butterfly pin. “Thank you. You have no idea how special this is to me.”
He wrapped his fingers around my shirt behind the pin, dragging me onto my toes. “I meant what I said. I want you to fly free.”
I tilted my head. “Around you, I’d never felt so free in my life.”
Cobra lightly brushed his lips across mine, yet I could tell he was purposely holding back. As he blew hot air across my face and neck, a tingle rushed into me. “Behave.”
“Who, me?” I laughed as he walked away, unable to take my eyes off him. But when Jeremy appeared at the door, I noticed his blank expression and tensed, turning away on purpose. Once again, I rolled my hand across my pocket, ensuring the drive remained tucked away, trying to think of nothing else but Cobra.
As I shifted my hand, rubbing my fingers across the pin, I had a feeling the gift was a prelude to him saying goodbye.
This had taken a significant toll on both of us. At this point, I needed to concentrate and think about who could possibly be assisting this other Russian group. Instinct. Trust my instincts. After taking a deep breath, I decided to do just that.
I waited for a full five minutes before heading inside, listening for any sounds. The house was completely quiet. I moved toward the front, peering through the closed blinds, able to see both Jeremy and Cobra walking down the driveway.
My instinct was suggesting several things, including who I could trust and who I couldn’t. I backed away, closing my eyes briefly. I needed to place one hundred percent of my trust in Cobra. Jagger. A smile crossed my face. I wasn’t certain which name I preferred. As I pressed my fingers to my lips, a moment of understanding settled in. I knew my way around any computer system. Perhaps… What I had in mind was risky as hell, but my instinct was telling me it was the right thing to do.
I only prayed to God I was right.
* * *
Jagger
I’d thought of nothing else but what she’d said for the last four hours. While I was confident the security system was tight, virtually impossible to break, I continued to have a very bad feeling. That had been confirmed by grabbing my communications device, noticing the redline. While that prevented me from making contact, it also told me in no uncertain terms our exit from the country hadn’t been broadcast. That would provide us with additional time.
But I was beginning to wonder how much. I felt like the walls were closing in, partially because even with the current surroundings, I couldn’t get over the feeling we were sitting ducks.
