“You do realize you’ll need to keep the girl, at least until we discover their identities. Don’t you? I assure you they won’t simply believe your story, so you’ll need to stay in full combat gear. For how long, I don’t know. From what I heard, there is a money back guarantee, but that would mean the girl failed in her duties.”
I could tell by the way he was looking at me that meant the failures were disposed of.
His choice of phrasing was as disconcerting as the bullshit I’d agreed to. “Are you suggesting I fuck her hard and often?” My question was crude, but just how far under was I expected to go?
“If that’s what it takes to buy their belief. If you pass test one, there will be at least one more. Those range from being invited to private parties to hunting and capturing other women for them. I’m telling you these fucks are wacked.”
The realization had tickled my brain before, but now I understood pretending to be Drake Cavanaugh would challenge everything I’d been taught not to be. “Fine. Then I’ll do what it takes to remain undercover.”
“You’ll also need to be careful what you tell this girl, but you’ll need to tell her certain truths.”
“I got it, Mav. Stop worrying.”
Maybe I didn’t believe my commitment. He obviously didn’t.
He seemed hesitant, still having second thoughts. “Two last things before I take your car with me. It better get me where I’m going. Come with me.”
My buddy led me into an office on the second floor. I was impressed with the number of large monitors both for security and for work with Raven Intel. “A mission room.” While I had a powerful computer as well as security in my condo, there was nothing this impressive.
“You’ll find everything you need including satellite. The security is topnotch with a dozen cameras.” He moved toward one wall, exposing a locked door behind a bookcase. “This is a safe, more like a room that you should use, but I’ll make certain nothing about your old identity is kept inside this house. The code for the lock is in your paperwork.” He spun the dial, finally opening the thick metal door. Dozens of weapons and ammo were inside. “I’m aware you know how to use a weapon.”
“Why, because I’m from Montana?”
Maverick finally grinned. “Yeah.”
“Asshole. Yes, I can. I can also ride a horse and lasso a bull. Would you like to see those skills as well?”
“Asshole,” he repeated, motioning toward the opening. “Weapons. Ammunition. Even communication to the outside world through satellite should you need to hide.”
He waited as I selected a weapon and a magazine, smiling when I loaded the gun within seconds, shoving the Glock into my suit jacket.
“Well, it would seem you have skills I wasn’t aware of.”
“Maybe that’s because you just assumed I’m some flunky prosecuting attorney.”
“I never said that.”
“But you thought it once or twice.”
With a smile on his face, he clapped my shoulder. “Nothing about you surprises me. Good luck, my friend. You’re going to need it.”
I’d made the go-to boy come to me. Maverick had also mentioned the man in charge was called Lucifer. How fitting. The goddamn devil himself. However, he sent a token member to handle the first interaction.
Now that the clock had just hit two in the afternoon, the scheduled meeting time, my patience was already gone.
After another quick glance at my watch, I threw back the remainder of the scotch, ignoring the burn in the back of my throat. At some point, maybe I’d get used to the reprehensible taste. Immediately, I flagged the waiter.
“Check, please.” While the young man scurried off, I fumed deep inside. The meeting had been established by Catcher. Supposedly carefully done with my background already thoroughly checked. Now the man Lucifer had sent was a no-show, which could mean somehow the group had seen through the façade. Plan B would need to be put into motion.
Even if I didn’t quite know what that meant yet.
I glared out the window at the shimmer of sun on the ocean’s surface while I grabbed my wallet. When a shadow fell across the reflection, my hand immediately shifted to my weapon.
“A cautious man is a wise man.”
Very slowly, I tilted my head, offering my visitor a glare. “A requirement in business and in pleasure.”
“You must be Drake Cavanaugh.”
