AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He comes into the office and says, “Clean. What’re you working on?”
“I wanted to review my file on Alejandro. Found a news alert that last week there was a raid on the Bay Clan cartel. Twenty-four dead. Two being extradited to the United States.” I search for the Toro cartel. “No history of raids on the Toro cartel.”
“Supports the theories that Alejandro helps his brother out.”
“I’m going to look through the photos on file of Alejandro. Check his Stateside connections.”
“He’s a politician. Was an ambassador. A photograph is meaningless.”
“True, I suppose.” That theory completely negates my last couple of weeks pouring through old photographs. He’s right. The connections are endless. “Do you have anything else you want me to do?”
“Can’t think of anything. I’m heading to the office. Ryan or someone from the team will stop by as a client, and I’ll update them on today and our trip to LA.”
“Want me to come with you?”
“No. I doubt he’s got anyone watching us, but it’ll be suspicious if you join me.”
“I’ll call Gemma. Check in on her.”
“Good idea.” He steps closer, kisses me, then strides out of the office. My fingers go to my lips. The soft brush of lips was in many ways a perfunctory kiss, but it also felt natural and sweet. That was the kind of kiss my dad would give Ava if he was heading out of the house. Warmth unfurls. We’re real.
I give Gemma a call and get voice mail, so I send her a text.
Me:
Gemma, so sorry you’re not feeling well! (sad face emoji) But can’t wait to hang in LA! What all do you want to do? What should I wear? (champagne toast emoji) (confetti emoji) (red high heels emoji)
Deciding that’s a sufficient number of emojis, I hit send.
Then I get to work diving into Colombian cartel intelligence. Or at least the files my security clearance level grants me access to. Most of the intel is pointless. It’s truly amazing how much the CIA gathers and tracks.
The front door clicks open, and I call out, “Hun? You home?”
I slam down the laptop, push out of the office chair, and release the tapestry that covers my wall of photos and notes. Steps draw closer, and I scan the room.
“Sophia? Where are you?”
My muscles relax as Fisher comes into view.
“You scared me.”
“Sorry. I was wrapping up a call. What’re you doing?”
“Just research.” He’s tense. I can see it in his lips, the deeper wrinkles present along his eyes and brows. The depths of blue seem deeper. “What’s going on?”
He leans against a doorframe and holds a hand out to me. I take it, and he pulls me against him.
“We’ve got to pack. Alejandro Toro checked into the Chateau Marmont. The team is reviewing all the reservations. In the meantime, they’ve decided we should go ahead on down to LA. We’ll play it off like once we decided to go, I scheduled some meetings and we decided we didn’t want to drive during Monday morning rush hour.”
“Okay. Makes sense.” I pop up on my heels and press my lips to his, then step past him into the hall. He clings to my hand, holding me back.
“Have you talked to your dad?”
“No.” The slight bruise on his cheekbone is barely noticeable, but it is visible. “I was waiting.”
I’m not quite sure for what. Maybe waiting isn’t the best word. Procrastinating is probably more accurate.
“Ryan suggested you call him.”
