“I’ll be wearing this,” I explain, lifting a slim ring from its case. “Custom housing. Hollow band. Pressure-release mechanism.”
I twist the solitaire gem slightly. A fine needle slides out of the band, barely visible.
“He won’t feel the needle prick him?” Enzo asks, seeming impressed.
“It won’t entirely penetrate his skin. It only has to make contact. The absorption rate is fast. It doesn’t take much.”
“Really? That’s… Wow, shit, okay,” Hudson laughs. “That’s impressive, babe.”
“We didn’t really get into this last night, but can someone else deliver this deadly handshake?” Enzo asks. “Does it have to be you? I mean Hudson, Jules, and?—”
I raise my hand. “It has to be me. Logistically, I’ve already worked out the introduction. I need to do this—I need to put this behind me and move on.”
They both accept my answer. I can tell they don’t like it, but they aren’t pushing back.
I place the ring back in its case.
“So,” I say lightly, “what’s the plan tonight?” I eye the bag in Hudson’s hand.
He sets the paper bag onto the counter. “Dinner. Hope you like sushi.”
“Who doesn’t like sushi?” I respond in mock horror.
“Good, because Enzo ordered the whole damned menu,” he jokes.
Enzo’s cheeks flush as he sets the food out. “I didn’t know what you liked.”
“Thank you. This looks great.”
We move over to the lounge area to eat. Sitting on the couches, sharing bites, stealing smiles. Easy, flirty, and familiar in a way that feels new and exciting.
“You’ll never believe where Luna and I went on FBI business today,” Hudson says after a few bites. “Redline Solutions.”
“Uh oh,” I say, “now Jules is on the FBI’s radar?”
“She’s certainly onJax Novak’sradar,” he says with a sly smile.
I let out a small laugh, more relief than anything. “I’ve never met Jax. What’s he like?”
“Pretty dreamy,” Hudson answers.
Enzo clears his throat. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t worry, hot stuff, he only has eyes for Jules.”
Enzo rolls his eyes.
“Really?” I ask. “So, you think he’s still interested in her?”
“Oh yeah.” Hudson takes a bite and wiggles his eyebrows.
“Huh. Interesting.” I file that away. “I should check in with Jules later.”
“You should,” Hudson agrees. “She seemed less than pleased the FBI and her ex-lover showed up unannounced to her office.”
“Also…either of you know what’s going on with Eva and Luna?” I ask.
They exchange a look.
