“So, this is what DC’s power players do in the middle of the week,” Carrera said before easing onto a chair.
Luciano offered him wine, but he refused.
Carrera didn’t want to act like a jerk, but he had a shit ton of work to do, he needed to check in with his dad at Carrera Cruises, and he wanted to research The Blue Suit Club. If he was going to partner with Slash, he needed to be of value.
That, and fuck her like she’d never been fucked.
“Help me get her into the water,” Luciano said.
Carrera and Sin untied the ropes from the pier while Luciano climbed to the second level and motored out of the slip.
It was a crystal-clear day. Blue skies, low humidity. As they moved up the Potomac River, Carrera spotted one of his cruise ships.
“My employees had a great time on one of your cruises last week,” Sin said. “First class all the way.”
“Thank you,” Carrera said.
“I heard you’re working with Slash,” Sin said.
“How’d you find that out?”
Sin smiled. “I’ve had you on my radar for a while.”
Carrera waited for Sin to say more, but he flicked his gaze out over the water and said nothing.
After ten minutes underway, Luciano dropped anchor away from the steady stream of boaters.
“My chef put together lunch,” Luciano said. “We’ll eat on the bridge.”
They retreated inside, filled their plates, then took the stairs to the upper level. The breeze flowed through Carrera’s hair. The heat of the day had him removing his jacket, loosening his tie, and rolling up his sleeves.
The men dug in.
“We have an opportunity,” Sin said.
Carrera eyed both men. “I gotta tell you, I can’t add another job, assignment, hit, or anything else. Seriously, I appreciate it, but it’s a hard no.”
Luciano looked amused. “You haven’t even heard what it is.”
“Philip Skye—Z—is retiring,” Sin said.
“Addison and Brit’s dad?” Carrera asked.
Sin nodded, once.
“Healreadyretired and he owns Two Sisters Art Gallery,” Carrera said.
“He does own the gallery, but he’snotretired,” Sin said. “He’s a Deputy Director at the Bureau. Years ago, he and another man started ALPHA.”
Carrera set down his fork, leaned back.
“Back then, he had no idea the group would grow to the organization it is today,” Sin said. “With the addition of BLACK OPS and the rescue team, ALPHA wields a lot of power.”
“Non-existent on paper, but powerful nonetheless,” Luciano added.
“Several brass at Justice, the State Department, and the White House can’t wait until he leaves next month,” Sin continued.
“Why’s that?” Carrera asked.
