“I expect you to believe that I’m a pragmatist.” Elena leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping. “I have knowledge you need; I’m the only person alive who truly understands WATCHDOG’s architecture at a fundamental level. And I don’t want you to retaliate against the people who have been helping me.”
He paused, then flashed a grin. “That’s your weakness, Elena, you have always cared about people too much.” He snorted. “Even with all of your science and training, you have proved it’s the people you care most about.”
Reed thought about the fact she faked her death all of those years ago because she thought it would protect him.
Elena scowled. “I guess you got me, Webb; people are important to me.”
Webb sighed. “So you’re proposing a partnership, to protect those you love.”
The word love didn’t escape Reed.
“I’m proposing atransaction. I fix your system. We have a truce. We never see each other again. And, yes, you never see my friends again, either.”
Webb was quiet, his fingers steepled beneath his chin as he considered her offer. Reed could practically see the wheels turning in the man’s head, weighing risks against potential rewards.
“So I’m guessing that includes the Star brothers? The FBI agent who’s been sniffing around my operations?”
Elena nodded.
“You expect me to believe they’re not listening to this conversation right now? That there aren’t a dozen agents waiting outside to grab me the moment I agree to anything?”
“I came alone, just like you asked.”
“You came alone.” Webb smiled, but there was no humor in it. “Elena, I’ve known you for fifteen years. You’re not stupid. You wouldn’t walk into a meeting with me without some kind of backup plan. Not to say anything of your relationship with Reed.”
Reed’s blood ran cold.
“Mr. Star agreed to help me.” Elena asked.
He sputtered out a laugh. “That’s all.”
She nodded.
“You don’t think I know you’ve always pined after that man?”
Silence.
Fear pounded into Reed, fear which quickly translated to fury. Reed longed to put a fist through the man’s face.
Webb scoffed. “You’ve always had a thing for that man and I underestimated what that meant to WATCHDOG.”
“You’re right,” Elena said calmly. “I did have a thing with Reed, but too bad for me, he is involved with someone else.”
Reed swore, then couldn’t help but grin. Strategy. Nice, Elena.
Webb let out a light laugh. “So, that explains why you’re here.” He laughed. “You couldn’t get back the man you thought you gave everything for.”
More silence.
Finally, Elena sighed. “I’m bored of this conversation, Webb. Can we help each other out or not?”
“Maybe.”
“Are you re-building or not?”
Webb didn’t respond for a long time. Reed imagined he was studying her, weighing the risks. “Heinrich. Do you remember him?”
“Of course.”
