47
Lucy - Present
Thesafehouseisaswe left it, the bottle of ketchup still sitting on the side, along with our plates with left over crumbs.
“We’re going to need to get you some clothes,” I say as I throw the key onto the small bench and wash up.
“I’m going to need to get my laptop and phone sorted. I’ll need to go to the office to do that.”
“Okay. In the meantime, use mine. You probably need to do some damage control.”
“My thoughts exactly. No doubt I’ve got interview invites, too; what do you want me to do with those?”
“What would you normally do?” I ask, putting away the plates.
“I’d take what is worthwhile and leave what isn’t.”
“So do that,” I say, waving my hand. “We’re supposed to be going back to normal, remember?”
“Okay, in which case, office, schedule check, then I’m afraid to say I’ve got another dinner to go to.”
I groan. “Because the last one was so fun.”
“Yeah, well. This one will be worth it, as it’s with a friend at NCA. I’ve been thinking he’s our route in. God knows why I haven’t thought of him sooner. Which means we need to sort the hard drive, otherwise it’s a missed opportunity. I don’t want to say anything unless I can show him.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I ask, leaning over the counter where he sits on the island chair. He leans forward and kisses my forehead.
I don’t think I’m going to get used to the soft touches, the gentle caress, the lingering gazes.
“You’re going to want to try to plan this next phase out, but I think we’re better off winging it.”
“You want to wing it?”
“Not completely,” he says. “What I mean is we stick to the plan, which is going back to normal, but I do think we are going to need to take the risk and trust others. Nick is trustworthy. We give some of the information from the hard drive to him.”
“I’m not sure.”
“I’m also suggesting we do a two-pronged attack. I give it to Nick, but I also leak it to the press. It’s a logical next step. The sooner it’s out in the public domain, the less of a target we have on our backs.”
“One problem…we need the hard drive working for that plan. And right now—”
“We’re up shit creek without a paddle,” he says, and I smile.
“How long would it normally take Luca to reply?”
“It should be soon if he’s looking.”
“We’re going to need to think of a Plan B if Luca doesn’t come through. There’s a contract out on my head. You’re now as much protection for me as I am for you. They won’t target me if I’m in the public domain with you. Our world is about being subtle. Assassinating me whilst standing next to the leader of a new political party will not look good for business.”
“Ahh, so the tables have turned.” He leans in, eyes locked on mine, breath brushing my lips and gently takes my mouth in his. “See, I knew I’d still be able to protect you.”
I smile into his mouth as his tongue brushes against mine.
“You need to go to the office,” I say, breaking the kiss. “Let’s check Reddit before you go.”
He pouts, and I let out a laugh before walking through the small flat and grabbing my burner phone from the top drawer.
Powering it on, I log in and go to the post.
