“I know the right people,” her brother replied.
After scanning the menu, they placed their orders. While interacting with the server, Halston spoke Italian with a Russian accent. Wolf spoke English with no accent.
Once the waiter left, her brother glanced around. “Why the accent?”
Halston leaned forward. In her own voice, she whispered, “I could have a tail.”
He laughed. “A tail? Really? Stand up. Lemme check if something long and furry is growing out your ass.”
Shaking her head, she smiled. “You are an idiot.” After downing half her water, she murmured, “I lead so many different lives, it’s crazy. As Minka, I trust no one. Me? I trust everyone. I’m two sides of the same coin.”
“Don’t you slip up?”
“I did in the beginning, but I’m used to it. Like now, no accent. I’m me. With our server, I’m Minka… but in a wig and tinted contacts.”
Up went his eyebrows. “That’s too complicated for me.”
“It is a lot.” Pausing, Halston eyed her brother. “You look good. You haven’t let your hair grow out in years. It’s past your shoulders. And you’ve definitely gotten bigger. You got some guns on you.”
“You should see my abs. I added weighted planks to my workout.”
“Good job, Hercules.”
The conversation continued. Talking about everything and nothing with Wolf filled her with gratitude.
Their lunches were delivered and they dug in. A few bites in, he said, “I have a surprise for you.”
She swallowed down the food, sipped her chilled water. “Hmm, well, I’m leaving tomorrow, and I’ve got a thing tonight?—”
“What thing?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Yeah, I don’t think it’s nothing.”
“It’s a work thing.”
Wolf leaned forward. “Do you need backup?”
“I handled the nutjob outside, no problem. I got this.”
“I’m flying out this afternoon, but I can change?—”
“I’m good. Where areyougoing?”
“Off the grid.”
Her guts tightened. “Be safe.”
“Nah, there’s no fun in that.”
A woman passed by the table, gave her brother a second look.
“She’s checking you out,” Halston said.
No reaction from Wolf who kept his gaze trained on her. “I’m going dark, but I’ll contact you as soon as I can.”
“Where are you headed?”
