“Fair enough. I just want to know that you’re okay, love. Anything else that I should know?”
She sighs deeply and says, “My mom called me today. She said she wants to meet you but I told her no. It’s a really,reallybad idea, Dom.” Her tone tells me she knows the final decision is mine, but she’s trying to dissuade me without going overboard.
“We’ll talk about it when I get home, love,” I tell her, glad that she confided in me. “Are you almost finished working for today?”
“Yes, I’m closing up shop now. Call you when I get home?”
“Definitely, love. I love you.”
Her voice becomes lower, more sensual, and loving at the same time, “I love you, too, Dom. I miss you. Hurry back home.”
“Believe me, I’m going as fast as I can with this contract. Be safe and I’ll talk to you soon,” I tell her and we hang up.
While waiting for my room service to be delivered, I can’t help but consider that Sophia’s mother called her so soon after an attempt was made on my life. Since I don’t believe in coincidences, I’m immediately suspicious of her family’s intentions. Was she calling to see if the attempt succeeded? Did she want to see if we suspected them?
Shadow and Tucker are both running their checks on Sophia’s family members and exactly how they’re tied in with anything illegal. I cringe at what the implications of my relationship with Sophia could have on this contract with the Department of Energy if her family is involved with a criminal organization. It’s my job to make sure everything is secure in this venture, and even though I love her, I need a plan of action in the event this all blows up in my face.
The knock on my door tells me Shadow is outside with my food. He hasn’t let one hotel employee in my room with me unless he is also here. It’s a little comical to me that, with his size and demeanor, no one has been brave enough to argue with him over it. When I open the door, he brings the tray in and I prepare myself for what I have to ask him to do next.
“Shadow, I need you to look into someone else while you’re at it with Sophia’s family,” I reluctantly tell him.
“Sure thing. Who?” Shadow casually responds.
“Sophia,” comes my somber reply.
“Already working on that, Mr. Powers,” Shadow says with a smirk. “I wouldn’t be much of a security asset if I didn’t validateeveryonethat has access to you, now would I?”
“When did you start researching her?”
“As soon as I was contacted by Tucker. I have plenty of sources, Mr. Powers. We’re gathering intelligence on everyone associated with you—known acquaintances, family members, and any suspicious ties. If anyone is hiding something, wewillfind it,” Shadow says assuredly. “You should also know that I’m looking intoyourbackground. It could be someone with an old vendetta just now making their move.”
Hold the fuck up. I’m being investigated, too?
“What. Did. You. Just. Say?” I punctuate each word, emphasizing my annoyance with the intrusion into my life, especially without being told. Something in the back of my conscience points out that I just asked him to do the same thing to Sophia, but I quickly squash it to make it shut the hell up.
Shadow’s steely glare is the only visible sign that he’s less than pleased with me. His voice is even and controlled as he speaks, “Mr. Powers, you hired me to do a job and I don’t do anything half-ass. I don’t care what you’ve done in the past. I will look at every angle to identify anything that may bite us in the ass. If you can’t handle that, I will pack my stuff and leave now.”
He’s right and I know it. I’m just on edge and irritated with the whole situation. I’m mad at myself for even questioning Sophia but simultaneously feel foolish for not doing it when I hired her.
“You’re right, you’re right,” I concede. “I shouldn’t have questioned your techniques. I hired your firm because you’re the best in the industry. Do what you need to do.”
Shadow nods, “Ten-four.” Leaving me to eat alone, I decide to call Sophia earlier than usual. When she answers her Face Time video call, she’s just taken a bite of her food and mumbles her greeting, “You’re early, Dom.”
“I thought we’d have dinner together tonight,” I say as I remove the lid from my plate.
“What a great idea!” she says more clearly. “I’m so glad you thought of this! I’ve missed having meals with you.”
“I’ve missed havingyou,” I reply suggestively.
“Keep talking like that and neither of us will be able to finish our dinner,” she playfully chides. “When will you be home?”
“Still looks like it’ll be Friday. We should finish the word-by-word contract review tomorrow. Friday morning, we are scheduled to run a test simulation with one of our programs. It’s their version of a pop quiz,” I deadpan.
“Well, I have no doubt in your capabilities, Mr. Powers,” Sophia coos. “You’ll knock them dead!”
“Don’t say that around weapons-grade enriched uranium storage,” I joke and Sophia throws her head back in laughter.
“Fine! You’ll knock their socks off! Better?” she asks while still laughing.
