Gage reared back. “Weapons team?”
“You heard me.” Adrian’s smile was back in his voice. “The Ravens are inventing some wicked tech for you.”
Gage was curious now. “Like what?”
Adrian ticked them off as if he’d been dying to share.
“A watch that’s also your comms. An earpiece that filters crowd noise so you can isolate specific sounds. A phone that’s simplified but encrypted. A cane built like a weapon, with a reinforced core and attachment options. And…other things.”
No way! Gage was buzzing inside.
“If you’re not too tired, I can take you to check out some of it.”
Gage shoved the last bites of his sandwich into his mouth. “I’m not tired. Let’s go.”
White Ravens
Scar
Scar walked to the bar with confidence. He’d long ago perfected how to charm someone, all while planning to rob them.
The bartender glanced in his direction before her gaze slid up and down his body with interest.
Elias had dressed him like an affluent man who belonged in a place like this.
He wore gray wool slacks with a tailored hem stopping just above his Polo boots, a cream cashmere sweater layered beneath a camel-colored blazer that Elias said was built for his shoulders, and a cream wool flat cap he’d pulled low to conceal his hair.
He felt it was over the top, but he’d been told he better get used to it.
Clothes were camouflage. They told people he was the man he was portraying himself to be.
Scar smiled as he slid onto the stool.
“Good evening,” she said, blinking her long lashes.
“Good evening to you too, Miss—” Scar winked. “Well, I hope it’s Miss.”
She laughed softly. “Yes, it is. Miss Sokolova. Anya Sokolova.”
Scar hummed. “Sokolova. Is that Russian?”
Anya seemed amused now. “Bulgarian…Varna to be precise.”
Scar ran his hand over his goatee. “I was close, but your accent is very faint.”
“I was raised in Queens. My mother was the dean of international studies at NYU.”
“Ahhh, nice. Free tuition to one of the top universities in the world.”
“Exactly.” She gave him a sly grin. “I’m double-majoring in business and economics.”
“Wow. Beauty and brains. So I guess studying is what you do with your spare time. Not free to do much else.”
“Well, not all my spare time,” she bit her bottom lip, leaning closer. “What can I get you, Mr…?”
“Most people only get my last name. But for you, beautiful…you can call me Julian.”
He knew he was pouring it on thick as tar, but he had less than five minutes now, and four more questions that needed answers.
