Brady’s jaw tics frantically as his nostrils flare, but before he can say anything, Vincent intervenes.
“Sera’s suggestion that you’re looking for a temporary assignment works out well for us. We’re stretched unusually thin at the moment and need a body.”
“I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves,” Brady says through clenched teeth. “Even if this job is essentially crowd control, we can’t promise a client protection and then send out someone inexperienced.”
The smile that stretches across my face only seems to enrage the man further. “Inexperienced. With what exactly?” I cock my head, enjoying how my casual attitude is irritating him. “Protecting high-value assets? Keeping people safe from various other people who want to kill them? Or extractions? I particularly enjoy these. Interrogations? Or do you mean the more boring stuff like surveillance and running a team?”
Vincent’s mouth curves slightly, but his voice is even when he speaks to his partner. “You know he’s qualified. We’ve worked together before, and he runs security for Koval Industries as well as hisotheractivities.”
“That’s a good point.” Elizabeth’s razor-sharp gaze is on me. “Why do you need a job? I would assume your position with your family keeps you busy.”
Her comment is layered, and everyone in the room knows it. I decide to give them a little of the truth. “My father was killed recently, and to avoid any surplus drama, it’s been decided that I should be absent while…” I pause for effect. “Restructuring is taking place.”
Brady’s expression darkens. “Will this restructuring drama follow you?”
“No.”
“That’s it? No.” Brady growls.
“It’s the answer. Do you need me to wrap it up in a bunch of words for you to understand?”
Elizabeth snorts, and she covers her mouth when Brady swings his head to glare at her. “What? It’s not like you’re super communicative.”
“Brady.” Vincent sends his partner a look, and while Brady still looks like he’d like to tell me to fuck off, he hisses out a frustrated breath.
“This is temporary.” He braces his weight on his palms across the table from me. “One job. And you have to agree to follow allour protocols. If you fuck up, I don’t care who you’re connected to, I will kick your giant Russian ass.”
“Understood.” I lace my fingers together and flex them once, enjoying Brady’s anger a little too much. “So, what’s this job?”
Elizabeth sighs, glancing at her watch. “She should be here for the introductory meeting in about thirty minutes.”
12
SERA
The cyber room is quiet, the only sound being Finn’s and my keyboards tapping. I’m supposed to be scrolling through emails for a client, but I’m barely skimming the words. Too distracted by the meeting that is supposed to take place this morning.
“He’s here,” Finn says.
My head jerks up, and I swear he’s hiding a smile when he gestures with his chin toward the security feed pulled up on the far wall. The parking lot camera feed is split into quadrants, crisp and clear.
My gaze is glued to Liev dressed in dark pants and a white dress shirt as he locks his car, pivots toward our building, and strides for the main entrance. He stops at the panel and looks up at the camera, waiting to be buzzed in.
I swallow hard. Finn laughs out loud, shaking his head when he pushes the button to unlock the door.
“Knock it off.”
“Sorry, I’ve just never seen you like this.” Finn grins at me, which is in itself unusual. He’s not grumpy… exactly… but he’s quiet and speaks only when it’s necessary. With a grin stretching across his face, I’m reminded that he’s not much older than I am.
“Like what?”
“Happy.” He shrugs and turns his attention back to his monitor, obviously done with the conversation.
I hear voices out in the bullpen, and even though I know I should stay away, I stand. “I’m going to get coffee.”
Finn doesn’t even look up. “Uh, huh.”
I pause in the doorway, pretending to check my phone.
