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Chapter 5
Dani
“What the hell were you thinking?” I snap, just barely able to contain the rage bubbling beneath the surface of my skin. “You disobeyed my orders!”
Pritt rolls her eyes and waves me off likeI’mthe one who almost tanked the operation. “It all worked out, didn’t it? We needed a clear shot of his face, and I got it. You should be thanking me.”
God, I hate her.
Gomez calms me down, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Let it go, Harper. We all walked away, and the target’s none the wiser.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “But now I have a date with the lunatic. Adate.”
“Think of it as an opportunity,” Pritt says, her sharp nose stuck up in the air. “What better way of keeping tabs on Antonov than by getting into his pants?”
I shake my head. “Don’t even start with me. You’re walking a fine line as it is. I’mthisclose to kicking you off the team.”
Pritt flips her hair over her shoulder and starts toward the door. “Whatever. I’ll see you all on Monday. Try not to get yourself killed at dinner.” She saunters off, her sharp heels clicking against the tile floors. Her absence is a relief, but that doesn’t stop the cold feeling of dread from washing over me.
“Oh my God,” I mumble under my breath, shoving my fingers through my hair. I’ve been on high alert ever since my very literal run-in with Luka, and I haven’t been able to calm down since. As much as I hate to say it, Pritt has a point.
The safety of my country could be at stake here. If Luka wants to take me out to dinner, then why should I stop him? Given how elusive he is, this could be my chance to get closer to him. Form a bond. See him again.
Because that’s ultimately what it comes down to—keeping my finger on the pulse while trying to discern where his allegiance lies. If I can figure out how to get close to him, maybe I can get my hands on his phone or his laptop—something—so my people can collect the evidence we so desperately need.
I knew what I was doing when I joined the New York division. The undercover ops, the intel gathering… The counter-terrorism career track is my dream. I’ll stop at nothing to get the job done, even if it means I have to put myself in the line of fire to do so. I won’t let a little dinner rattle me. I refuse to let Luka Antonov get under my skin.
I turn to Gomez. “I need you to draft a profile for me. I mean, for Willa Jones. Backstory, fake paper trail, fake socials, everything… Just in case he decides to look into me.”
He nods. “You’ve got it.” He reaches into his pocket and hands me a fresh iPhone still in the box. A burner phone. “Fresh SIM card, number and everything. It’s hooked up so we can track any of your messages and phone calls, both incoming and outgoing.”
I ignore the dryness of my throat. I can’t very well give Luka my real number, now can I? “Thank you.”
“Text him now and get a location for your meet up. That way I can set up ahead of your arrival.”
I arch a brow, mildly amused. “I’m pretty sure I’m the one who’s supposed to be telling you what to do, Gomez.”
He chuckles, scratching sheepishly behind his ear. “Sorry, Harper. Old habits. I just want to look out for you, is all. I know it’s your first time in the field. Hell, I remember how nerve-wracking it was my first time.”
“I appreciate it,” I tell him earnestly.
Taking a deep breath, I look down at my palm. Luka’s writing is incredibly neat. Big and blocky, so it’s easy for me to punch in his phone number. My heart skips at the memory of his fingers grazing my wrist, the warmth of his hand seeping into my skin. I don’t know why I can’t stop fixating on the sensation, or the way the butterflies in my stomach flutter.
Hi. It’s me, Willa.
Still interested in getting dinner?
His message is almost immediate. What, was he sitting on his phone all afternoon waiting for me to text him?
[Sent a location pin.]
8pm, sharp. I’ll meet you there.
I squint at my phone’s screen.
“That’swhere he wants to meet?” I mumble to myself. “I thought he wanted to get dinner.”
Gomez peers at the address over my shoulder. “It’s a good thing. Nice and public. If he tries anything, there will be tons of witnesses.”
