I’m not sure if I’m included in theyou’ve, so I opt to stay quiet.
“Good to see you again,” Liev’s voice is neutral, but when I finally look over, it’s to find him staring at me. My stomach swoops, and I force my eyes back to the screen, hoping my cheeks aren’t as red as they feel.
Vincent claps his hands together. “All right, Elizabeth’s client arrives in thirty minutes. Liev, you’ll need to sit in for that. In the meantime, work with Finn to get set up in our system. We have our own servers, so he’ll need to show you how to access intel.” Vincent looks at me. “Sera, can you get him settled with a phone?”
I nod.
“Also, he’s going to need a credit card and both a hotel and vehicle kit.”
My stomach tightens.
“Hotel kit?” Liev stills.
“This is a travel assignment.” Vincent gestures to Liev’s gun not subtly concealed at his waist. “You’ll be flying private so you can keep your own weapon but be sure you pack extra magazines.”
“I didn’t realize I’d be going out of town.” He frowns.
Neither did I.
I’d assumed he’d be around. That I’d see him.
I shove down the unpleasant feeling clenching in my chest.
“Is that a problem?” Vincent asks, his face expressionless.
Liev flicks a glance at me, but I keep my face blank. “Not at all.”
Vincent grunts.
“Who’s the client?”
“Keke Novak,” Vincent says over his shoulder. “Who will be here soon.”
Keke Novak? As in the famous lingerie model?
Fan-fucking-tastic.
Elizabeth is already waitingnear the front when the security panel chimes. She checks the monitor, taps the release, and the lock disengages with a soft click.
Keke struts in as if she’s stepping onto a runway, not waiting for the stressed-looking man in a suit behind her as she gives Elizabeth air kisses on both cheeks. The knot in my stomach pulls tight. She’s tall, unmistakably feminine, narrow at the waist with soft curves carried on long legs. Tight black jeans and knee-high boots accentuate the effect, and a bright blue turtleneck clings to her so tightly I swear I see her nipples. A mink coat hangs loosely around her shoulders, framing her slender body. Thick blonde hair falls in glossy waves around sharp cheekbones and bright blue eyes that roam the room with bored curiosity.
I always thought the life-sized posters in my favorite lingerie store were airbrushed because nobody could be that beautiful. Now I know they weren’t.
Her gaze skims over me briefly, registering my presence only long enough to decide I’m not relevant, before moving on.
My shoulders clench, and I’m uncomfortably aware of my plain black crewneck shirt, tech pants and boots. And then I immediately tell myself not to be stupid.
Her manager scans the empty bullpen and then says something to Elizabeth I can’t make out.
Keke wanders a few steps farther in, fingers brushing absently over the edge of a desk. “So quiet,” she says lightly, the words almost playful. “Your boyfriend owns the place, right?” Her lips tip in a smirk. “Is this where the magic happens, or is that somewhere more private?”
Elizabeth doesn’t rise to the bait and Keke pouts. “Where are the men? All the big, bad bodyguards?”
“This is their operations floor,” Elizabeth explains evenly. “We’ll have the meeting upstairs, where you’ll meet your security detail.”
I pivot toward the cyber room, just as Finn and Liev step out of the kitchen at the far end of the bullpen, coffees in hand. Keke notices the new arrivals immediately.
Her eyes widen slightly and sharpen with interest as she gives both men an extremely obvious once-over. “Very nice,” Keke purrs.
