“I’m armed, I’m wearing body armor, and I’m ready,” she said.
“You got this.” he replied.
On a nod, she exited the vehicle, squared her shoulders, and headed toward the entrance. The place was busy, but not packed. There were two open seats at the bar, one open table, and two unoccupied booths. After a quick sweep of the patrons, she found Newburg sitting alone in a booth nursing a beer. She kept her head down as she passed him, slid into the back booth, and sat facing out.
Once there, she whispered, “I’ve got eyes on him.”
“Is he alone?” Luciano asked through the comm.
“Yeah.”
The server appeared. “Can I getcha something?”
“Whatever’s light on tap.”
The server moseyed off and she flicked her gaze to the front door. A couple entered, made their way to the bar.
“I used to come in here,” she said to Luciano through the comm.
“When?”
“In my twenties with Frederica. We’d toss back a beer, talk about how much we loved being Special Agents.”
The server returned, set down a napkin and the beer. “Those guys at the bar wanna know if you’re with someone.”
Two guys were waving her over.
“One of the dudes said the drink’s on him.”
“I got this,” Simone said.
“Hey, it’s a free beer.”
“They’re gonna want something for it. I’ll pass.”
“What’s going on?” Luciano asked as one of the men from the bar walked over.
“A guy’s hitting on me,” Simone whispered.
“I’m coming in.”
“I got this.”
“You sure do,” said the stranger.
Simone glared at him. “Not interested.”
“You look like you could use some company,” the stranger pressed.
“I wouldn’t sit there if I were you,” she warned.
“Why the hell not? I can sit wherever I want.”
The door to Mac’s flew open. Luciano’s striking presence hit her like a bolt of lightning. Two seconds later, he was by her side.
“The lady said no,” Luciano growled.
“Fuck off.”
