“You’re expecting consequences.”
“Maybe.”
“And if there are?”
I hold her gaze.
“Then I’ll deal with them.”
Kat sets her coffee aside and crosses the room toward me. She slides her arms around my waist and presses her cheek briefly against my chest.
“You didn’t have to choose this,” she says softly.
“I did.”
She pulls back just enough to look up at me.
“If they push you out,” she says, “if Heartline decides you’re too unpredictable …”
“They won’t.”
“And if they do?” she presses.
I brush my thumb lightly along her jaw.
“Then I’ll adjust.”
Her mouth curves faintly at that. She’s memorized that word. I lean down and kiss her slower than last night,. When I step back, the room feels heavier.
“Lock the door behind me,” I say.
“I will.”
Then I open the door. The hallway is quiet. I step out. I don’t know exactly what’s waiting for me on the other side. But I know what I’m walking back to when it’s over.
Chapter 16
Hawk
Istep inside at exactly 0900. The owner, Cass Rhodes, is waiting, along with his COO, June Park, formerly with Interpol Financial Crimes. They don’t stand or gesture. They don’t even smile or say hello.
“Sit down, Hayes,” Cass commands.
I take the chair opposite both of them. He slides a thin file across the table with my name printed on the tab.
“You were given a hold directive,” he begins.
“Yes, sir.”
“You were instructed to keep the asset secured at the remote safehouse.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You violated that directive.”
“Yes, sir.”
I have no defense. He studies me for a moment.
