“Aside from the fact she’s Addy’s best friend and that you’re now glued to the hip with her, she’s rich, gorgeous, and an ex-supermodel. A celebrity—just Burleigh’s type. You know he always thought of himself as God’s gift to women.”
Deacon didn’t like hearing that. “Makes sense, I guess. That’s assuming Burleigh’s our man.” All the evidence pointed to that conclusion, but Deacon still had doubts. Something just didn’t sit right with him. At first, they had no information whatsoever on who was behind the assassination attempts. Noweverysign pointed to Burleigh.
Noel blew out a breath. “He’s got to be our man. Our contact today let me know, and I quote, ‘A certain someone is no longer in Asia,’ and that said someone ‘Found India too boring and was tired of following the orders of an organization he was no longer a part of.’”
Considering Burleigh had last been known to be living in Jaipur, India, his identity as the mastermind carried even more weight. “So, if you already talked to our contact, why am I here?”
“Because she said she had more to tell, but only to you. She knows we’re all together because she was working with Big Joe on some of this before she separated.”
“She? Who the hell are we talking to?” Deacon wanted to know. “Why the mystery, man?”
Noel glanced at Solene, and seeing her asleep, said, “It’s Brenda. You remember, your favorite admin from Corporate.”
Deacon blinked in surprise. “Brenda Rice?”
“She left the Business for an upgrade into the private sector. Actually, a known CIA front. Big Joe recommended her for the position. Now that she’s no longer with the company, she’s free to fraternize with its contractors.” He paused. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Deacon frowned. “Because she and a I flirted a few times, you now want me to whore myself for information?”
“More like gently persuade. Seduce. Find out what she knows.”
“But…” He glanced at Solene. Awkward. Involved with her, he had no desire to even look at another woman. They all paled next to the blond termagant.
“Uh-huh. This is why I didn’t want you to bring her along.” Noel ran a hand through his hair. “What’s the deal with you two? Are things happening between you?”
Deacon shrugged, not comfortable with mentioning anything, unsure if Solene would care. His normal ease with women, in knowing what they wanted, didn’t seem to work with one particular smart-mouthed ex-supermodel. And he wanted nothing to impede their deepening relationship.
Likely it would end sure enough on its own. He ignored pangs at the thought. But until they’d officially ended, he planned on enjoying being with her to the fullest. And that meant not seducing other women while they dated.
Still, the job meant protecting her, which meant being fully informed. Deacon sighed. “You watch her. I’ll meet with Brenda.”
“I’m coming with—”
“I flirt alone.” Deacon held up a hand. “Note I said ‘flirt.’ I’m not sleeping with Brenda to get our intel. She’s one source that can lead to others. Fucking her is off the table.” How ironic that at one point, he wouldn’t have thought twice about taking the redhead to bed.
“Fine. Just help us get our guy.” Noel frowned. “This is dragging on. I don’t like it, and I don’t trust the build-up. We need to stop the enemy’s momentum before it really gets started. He—”
“Or she.”
“Or she” —Noel nodded— “shot Addy and he shot me. Just because Brent pulled the trigger makes no difference. Now they’re after Solene. We finish this before they turn their attention to Hammer or, God forbid, the baby.”
“I get you, man. Relax. I’m on it.”
“Well, go clean up first. You look like hell. All that worrying for your girlfriend is turning you gray, buddy.”
“And fuck you too.”
Noel said nothing, but his smirk remained.
An hour later,Deacon sat in an upscale sushi bar waiting to meet with Brenda. He wore his jeans and a borrowed black sweater from Noel. He’d styled his hair and, despite the slight bruise on his cheekbone from that cuff to the face, he didn’t think he looked too bad.
Brenda walked in wearing heels and a dark blue dress that set off the blue of her eyes. The provocative style highlighted her curves and long legs. He’d been dying to get a shot with her for years. And now, to his amused dismay, he realized she didn’t hold a candle to Solene. Whereas once he’d been dreaming about how to get around Business protocols so he could be with Brenda, now he only saw a woman who would always be in Solene’s shadow.
Superficial beauty paled next to genuine character, and added to Solene’s incredible looks and sarcastic personality, it was no question why he could think of no one but her.
He stood as Brenda neared and accepted the full-body hug she gave him, glad Solene was nowhere in sight. “Brenda, baby, you’re looking good. I hear you’re moving up in the world.”
She beamed. He held her chair for her and waited until she sat to take his own seat overlooking the restaurant. He’d asked for a corner table, the wall at his back.
