“Discreet comms,” Callan said. “Wearable. Low-profile.”
Gaby’s focus was elsewhere. “Show me the victims again.”
The photos came up one by one. Leland had already seen them. Didn’t need to again. They reminded him too much of someone.
Gaby studied them longer than anyone else had. “Hair,” she said finally. “They all have long, straight blonde hair.”
“The first didn’t,” Alec reminded her.
“No,” Gaby agreed. “But the recent ones do. If that’s his type, I’ll need to go to the salon.”
Rhys eyed the glossy brown spiral curls he liked so much but said nothing.
Another silence settled. Dev let it sit just long enough. “Cover identities?”
Callan was prepared for those, too. “Names, histories, digital trails.” His fingers moved over the keyboard as he spoke. “Social profiles, employment, basic background, a few believable online breadcrumbs. Their security is practically nonexistent. Nothing too heavy, which will be faster, but enough to stand up to a casual search. I doubt they even do that.”
“How much time do you need?” Dev asked.
“Forty-eight hours.”
“Do it.”
Callan nodded.
“Rhys. You should watch your accent,” Rafe suggested. “It stands out, especially to the women.”
No one else had thought of that, but it was spot-on advice. They all nodded, except Rhys.
He frowned. “What accent? I’m as American as you are.”
Gaby reached over and patted his hand. “Of course you are, dear.”
Rhys exhaled. “Bloody hell.”
A few quiet chuckles moved around the table as he proved Rafe’s point.
Dev refocused on business, voice cutting through cleanly. “Michael. Boone. You’re going in too. As bouncers.”
“Don’t you mean monitors?” Michael asked.
“This place isn’t that nuanced,” Alec said dryly.
A glance passed between the two men. Boone muttered, “A kink club that can’t tell the difference. This should be a boatload of fun.”
“You control entry and exit,” Dev continued. “No one gets through without being identified.”
“Got it,” Michael acknowledged.
Dev’s attention shifted again. “Leland. You’re on surveillance with Callan. You’ve got eyes on everything.”
Not the control room but the control van. He looked down at his fading bruises and had to figure that was deliberate. Dev, as usual, had read him correctly. He didn’t like it, but he needed to be in the van right now.
“If it goes wrong, you pull them out. No hesitation. No delay.” That went without saying, but Dev evidently saw the need to.
“Understood.” His eyes went to Gaby before shifting to Rhys. “Protection is priority.”
Anna, Mara, Isabel, and Faith had been alone and vulnerable. The perfect prey. That wasn’t happening to Gaby.
