"Fuck that," Sev snipes playfully, bringing in the whiskey and three glasses. "She deserves to be celebrated now."
"Sev, I need my head clear."
"One drink, Daddicus." Sev pours a modest amount into each cup. "It won't kill you."
Then he lifts his own in a toast none of us can refuse. "To Aurora. The baddest,sexiestTrojan horse who ever lived."
I chuckle as I clink my glass to his and Atty's.
"To Aurora."
My avenging angel.
57
THE LONG CON
AURORA
Itriple-check my bag before leaving the room as if the flash drive is going to evaporate into thin air.
It's still twenty minutes before we're set to leave for the airport, but I'm feeling extra punctual.
Other than maybe not havingallthe data from Ambrose's computer, I think this risk paid off. I got some hopefully useful intel, am still in one piece, and managed to stave off Ambrose's attempts to get me to stay—although I did have to make a compromise involving some personal security personnel—but it's not like they weren't already there before I left.
I just gave him permission to stop pretending they weren't.
"Miss Aurora," Santiago says, making me jump so violently that my shoulder knocks into the doorframe. I rub the sore spot as he asks, "Sorry. Is this all you're taking with you?"
I look down at the bag in my hand. "Oh. Yes. This is all I need."
"But your new clothes?—"
"I'm sure I'll be back soon."
No, I won't.
He smiles graciously. "Very well. I can take this to the car for you."
I yank the bag out of his reach reflexively and then cover my hastiness with a small chuckle. "I'm perfectly capable of carrying this one all by myself."
I wink for good measure.
After the shit with the tracker from my bra and my old clothes and boots not making the trip to Spain with me, I amnotgoing to risk losing this bag or what it contains.
No. Fucking. Way.
He nods and bows. "Of course. I'll go see if there's anything else I can assist with in preparing to depart."
"Thanks for everything," I call after him, particularly grateful now that there are only hours left before I can see my Ellie girl and the guys. I don't even know how I made it through some of these nights without her, but somehow I slept at least five hours every night since I arrived. I blame the fresh sea air.
There's a bounce in my step as I take the stairs down to the main floor and stroll into the library. Ambrose said we should meet here before we leave for the airport.
I'm headed for the couch to wait for him when his office doors open. "You're early."
I grin at Ambrose. "I can come back if you aren't ready."
He's quick to dismiss that idea. "No. Please, come in."
