Prologue: Ego
Sigma International Security, Volkov Towers, Manhattan Office
I re-read the assignment Kane handed me for the third time in the last thirty seconds, and I swear I hear roll call sounding off inside my head.
This is a fucking joke.
I’m sitting in the corner of Noel Kane’s brand-spanking-new office—fucker was just promoted to official head of our little team at Sigma International Security.
My arms are crossed over my chest.
My jaw is locked tight.
Outside the floor to ceiling window, New York is buried under a foot of snow and counting.
Inside, it’s worse—because I’m two seconds from exploding.
“Okay, I read the file,” I mutter.“Three times.”
Noel doesn’t look up from his tablet.
Calm.
Annoyingly calm.
“Then you know the details.”
“Oh, I know the details.Teacher.Female.Five-foot-four.Lives and works in Verona, New Jersey.Teaches kindergarten.The biggest threats in her world are glitter and untied shoelaces.”
Now he lifts his eyes.
“And a very real security breach.”
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees.
“You’re assigning me—me—to Romper Room?”
“It’s not a babysitting gig.”
“Sure as hell looks like one.”
Noel sighs.The kind of sigh a man gives when he’s two seconds from reminding me, he’s the boss.
“Ego—”
“Theodore,” I counter.
“No one calls you that but your mother.”
I grunt.
He’s not wrong.But still.
Noel sets the tablet down, finally giving me his full attention.
“You want to finally lead your own op?This is your chance.We got a contract.We fulfill it.You’re the point man.”
“For what?Coloring time and snack duty?”
