“No shit,” Sin replied. “What choice do we have? If the terror cell blows up those buildings, it’s another 9/11 all over again.”
“Let’s see how Simone and I do before we trigger a national panic.”
As the training session winded down, the two men retreated inside. Down the hall they strode, stopping in the break room.
“I’ve got a meeting with Dakota.” Sin extended his hand. “Use any office here, except his.”
Luciano shook it. “We won’t work here. It puts everyone at risk.”
“Your place?” Sin poured coffee into a mug.
“It’s secure.”
In silence, the men headed toward the offices. Luciano stopped in front of the conference room. “I’ll wait in here. Who’s bringing her in to me?”
“I will,” Sin replied. “She’ll want to shower and change before your meeting. Expect push-back.”
“Why?”
“You’re an outsider and an assassin.”
A sly smile filled Luciano’s face. “She’ll be fine working with me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Sin said before continuing on to Dakota’s office.
I got this… and I got her too.
Luciano set down his computer bag. Seconds later, he was logged into Santini International and calling his assistant.
“Mr. Santini,” Dominic answered. “We have a problem.”
After listening, he asked a few questions, directed Dominic on how to handle it, and ended the call. Then, he turned his attention to his laptop, cloaking his Internet footprint, and jumping on the dark web.
“Come out and face the devil.”
Luciano went on the hunt for Inferno531. He couldn’t find any new posts, but there were severalaboutInferno531. Normally, he’d ask Teddy to do the Internet hunting, but he wasn’t playing the Teddy card without consulting Simone.
Twenty minutes later, Sin appeared in the conference room doorway. “Ready to meet your new partner?”
A rush of adrenaline powered through him.
He offered a tight nod. Sin stepped in, leaving Simone standing in the doorway. The air turned frenetic.
Her beauty captivated him, her can-do attitude excited him. The intensity in her eyes spoke volumes. He’d made the right decision by telling her in advance. Surprising her would have been a mistake.
Unable to ignore the pull, he made his way toward her. If she accepted this gig, and he had every confidence she would, they’d be equal partners going forward. Rather than shake her hand, he curled his fingers around her arms.
“Hello, Simone.” He pecked one cheek.
“Luciano,” she replied as he kissed the other.
He relished her soft skin, her familiar and intoxicating aroma. He heard Sin talking, but he couldn’t engage. Staring into Simone’s eyes was the best medicine for his sufferingsoul. His connection with her was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. A powerful, invisible force he couldn’t deny.
“Red,” Sin began.
“Yes,” she replied, her attention still locked on Luciano.
Dakota, Providence, and Cooper entered the room severing their connection.
