“Okay, we can work something out, but we have to know who we’re getting in bed with. That’s nonnegotiable,” Jake demanded.
She studied each of them for a moment, then gave a bare-shouldered shrug. “Our countries are neighbors.”
Jake shook his head. “Not enough.”
After a beat, she said, “And allies.”
“Canada?” Olivia guessed.
Poppy just smiled.
“Canadian intelligence,” Trent mused.
“It tracks,” Jake said. “She was born in Vancouver.”
“Seriously, why do you know this stuff?” Marielle narrowed her eyes. “Are you in a Poppy Jones fan club?”
Jake said nothing.
3
“It makes sense.”
Marielle nodded, unconvinced.
He was right. It did make sense. She spoke fluent French. She knew the country. And Hanna did trust her. But still?—
Omar tipped her chin up with two fingers and studied her face. “I know it sucks that you and Liv have to stay. But Poppy’s right—we can help each other.”
Marielle knew all of this. And she knew being apart from Omar for a few days or a week or however long would be torture, but they’d make up for lost time when all … this … was over.
“That’s not it,” she said.
“What is it then?”
“I’m the best at the analyzing data and finding patterns. I could find Cal faster than anybody else.”
He burst out laughing. “Wow. Okay, Elle.”
“What?”
“Here I was thinking you were so sad because you couldn’t bear to be apart from me. Way to wallop a guy right in the ego.”
She was about to protest when he shook his head. His eyes were bright with amusement.
“It’s fine. I get it. We’re professionals. We’re on a job. And you’re right. Nobody can do what you can do. But you know who’s a close second?”
“Ryan.”
“Yeah, Ryan. He’ll use all his lawyer tricks to get to McCloud. You figure out a way to give Poppy what she needs without spooking Hanna.”
She exhaled. He was right. “Speaking of Poppy?—”
They both turned to look at the effervescent pop star / stone-cold operative. She appeared to be autographing Jake’s day planner.
“I still can’t believe any of it. Not Poppy Jones, Secret Agent and definitely not Jake West, Poppy’s biggest fan. Does Chelsea know about this Poppy Jones obsession?”
From the corner where Olivia and Trent were also saying their private goodbyes, Olivia’s head popped up. “Are you kidding me? My cousin is Poppy’s biggest fan. She’s probably even more of a Pop Tart than Jake is.”
