Bryn took a long gulp of coffee.“What about my eyes?I won’t need my gloves but won’t wearing dark glasses seem a bit odd?”
“If anyone asks, we’ll say you have impaired vision.No one will challenge that.We have approximately eighteen hours before we need to be in position.That gives us enough time to review the building schematics, finalize the extraction protocol, and yes, Bryn, go through those flash cards one more time.”
Bryn groaned but didn’t argue.The stakes were becoming higher by the minute.This wasn’t only about infiltrating a suspect organization, it was about uncovering whatever Salvatore Russo, aka The Hammer, was building with his ghost employees, fabricated histories and evil drug.And stopping him.
Chapter Five
Wednesday dawned clear and cold.In the sanctuary of Bryn’s bedroom, Bryn and Gunnar lay snug beneath the comforter.They’d shared a bed three nights running, nights of skin-to-skin contact and coziness but nothing more.Bryn couldn’t contemplate the idea of going back to separate rooms because that would be surrendering something precious he’d waited too long for.
Gunnar, ever disciplined, got up early to run.He slipped from beneath the covers with practiced stealth, but Bryn wasn’t truly asleep.Through half-lidded eyes, he watched Gunnar move about the room, admiring his impressive physique as he dressed in the dim light.
“You’re not as sneaky as you think,” Bryn mumbled.
Gunnar paused, halfway through pulling on a thermal running top.“I was trying to let you sleep.”
“And miss the show?Not a chance.”Bryn propped himself up on one elbow.“Though I’d rather you were getting back into bed than leaving it.”
Gunnar chuckled.“Five miles now means I can justify pancakes later.With you.”He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Bryn’s forehead.“Stay warm.”
After the soft click of the door, Bryn rolled into Gunnar’s warm spot, breathing in his lingering scent.He hugged Gunnar’s pillow, a poor substitute for the real thing, but comforting nonetheless then dozed, waiting for Gunnar’s return.
Forty-five minutes later, he heard it…the heavy tread of running shoes in the hallway, the rush of the shower starting up.Only then did he drag himself out of bed to answer the siren call of coffee.
Breakfast was quiet.Gunnar, flushed from his run and shower, hummed while he cooked pancakes and prepped fruit.Bryn enjoyed the lack of noise and unnecessary chat.Gunnar seemed to understand his need for head space before what was going to be a stressful, Giles-infested day.
“Are you worried about the investor event?”Gunnar asked, sliding a plate of blueberry pancakes across to Bryn.
Bryn nodded, pouring a sizeable puddle of maple syrup.“A lot could go wrong.”
“You’ve prepped and I know you.You might tease Giles that you’re useless at this, but I know better.”
“Maybe, but if I’m being observant, won’t they be too?What if someone spots that I’m reading them?”
“You’ve been in tough spots.We have an extraction plan and much as I’d like to strangle Giles with one of his own fancy silk cravats, don’t forget what you told me about him.His sanguine qualities are strong.He won’t let anything happen to you—you’re too valuable to him.”
“As a fucking experiment.”
“Yeah, but a rare one.”
“I guess it’s one time when being a freak might be a benefit rather than a disadvantage.”
Gunnar refilled Bryn’s coffee mug.“Drink this.You’re gonna need it and if you call yourself that again, I will spank your bare ass until you cry.”
“Might not be the worst thing in the world…oops, did I say that out loud?”
Gunnar shook his head.“Fuck’s sake.Get yourself downstairs before Giles comes calling.”
The dress rehearsal for the investor’s meeting took place in Warden’s office and felt like the world’s most twisted job interview.Giles played potential investors while Bryn navigated complex questions about market strategy and return on investment.
“Better,” Giles admitted.“Though your disdain still shows when you call me ‘sir.’”
“The maybe I should call you Giles.”
“No.Mr.Delacourt will suffice, though.”
“Why no false name for you?”
“Because my name is in my company records and they will likely have done due diligence on their guests.I’m not difficult to find, nor is my picture.My involvement in development of the blood scanners is also public knowledge.Any trace of you was wiped from the virtual world when you were identified as an augur and the tech team here has protocols in place to ensure you never reappear.”
