She sniffled again, then blew her nose. “I need you to come home, Nai. Please, for me.”
After I hung up with her, I booked the first flight to Atlanta. I was grateful that I had my own place out there because I couldn’t stomach the idea of staying in their house. Going there was one thing, but staying was completely out of the question. Next, I called Parker, my handler, to let her know I’d have to be released early from my current assignment.
“Hey, lady,” she answered cheerfully. Parker and I had worked together for three years, and while she was good at her job, her overly friendly demeanor grated my nerves. She was just a little too personable, which was frowned upon in this line of work—or maybe I was just a cynical ass bitch.
“I can’t finish the New York job,” I said bluntly, “I’ve got a family emergency. I’m flying to Atlanta tomorrow.”
“Oh? The client will be disappointed,” she said. I could hear her try to mask her irritation. “They requested you specifically.”
I leaned back against the headboard, exhaling. “They’ll live. There are plenty of great operators available. Call Olivia.”
“No, for sure,” Parker said quickly, trying to recover. “I’m actually in Atlanta right now. Is there anything I can help you with while you’re here?”
I rolled my eyes and rubbed my temples. I knew she was being polite, but it still annoyed me. “No. I’ll let you know when I’m operational again—I’m probably going to need a few weeksoff.”
“Understood.”
I stared at the phone long after the call ended.
My thumb hovered over the contacts icon. Reaching out felt like the normal thing to do, but the one person I wanted to talk to wouldn’t answer. Fontaine had made that abundantly clear two years ago. Cash briefly crossed my mind, but we hadn't spoken since my little Irish goodbye, and I’d heard he and Jasmine were expecting. He had enough going on. I pushed the thought aside.
I had no siblings and was so far removed from my parents’ extended family. There were no aunts, uncles, or cousins to lean on. Just me.
Fontaine’s words echoed in my head:“Good luck with your lonely ass life.”
I needed a distraction.
Hey you busy?
Three bubbles popped up almost immediately.
CJ
For you? Never.
I scoffed and bit back a smile.
Come get me? I need to get out of my hotel.
I hadn’t told CJ I was in the city—not that it mattered. He was fun and uncomplicated—one of the things I liked about him. If I wanted more, it could be more, but he didn’t push when he realized I wasn’t on that type of time.
CJ
Send thelocation, ma.
I sent him the address and slid out of bed. It was October and the weather in New York didn’t know if it wanted to be summer or true fall. I threw on a white tank top and black leggings, grabbed my leather jacket, and headed downstairs to wait for him at the hotel bar.
The bar was dimly lit, with only a handful of corporate types nursing after-work cocktails. They eyed me curiously as I slid onto a barstool.
“What can I get you, beautiful?” the bartender asked as she placed a napkin in front of me.
“Gin martini with a twist,” I replied, smiling at her. While I waited, a text from Parker came through confirming she’d reassigned the New York job, like I knew she’d be able to do.
The bartender set my drink down. “You looked like a Hendrick’s girl,” she said, watching me.
I held her gaze as I raised the glass to my lips, letting the smooth drink slide down my throat. “Perfect,” I said.
Fifteen minutes later, large hands wrapped around my waist, and the familiar scent of leather and woody musk enveloped me.
