Page 51 of Velvet Vaughn

He hung up smiling despite everything, which felt like cheating somehow. It took another hour after that before sleep came.

He woke a few minutes past seven to dawn light streaming through the east windows. For one fleeting moment, lying there, none of it had happened. Then it arrived in a rush. His knee gave its usual complaint when he swung his legs out of bed, reminding him it had opinions about mornings too.

He showered, dressed in jeans and a crimson pullover, and packed. Not much. He hadn’t done this kind of packing in years, not since road trips during his playing days, but the muscle memory was still there. The suit he’d worn to the fundraiser was hastily draped over the valet stand where he’d left it last night. He selected clothes for work and for after hours. Next, he tossed in his shaving kit and phone charger. When he was finished, he zipped the suitcase and rolled it down the hall.

Anja was dressed, her bag sitting by the door. She had two mugs out and was pouring from the carafe when he walked in.

“Morning.” She slid one toward him. “You look like you didn’t sleep.”

“I called Chloe.”

“I figured.” She studied him over the rim of her mug. “How’d she take it?”

“About how you’d expect. She wanted to drive over.”

“And you told her no.”

“I told her hell no.” He took a long drink of coffee, grateful for it. “Chloe wasn’t even worried about herself. She was upset that I was the one in danger and she wasn’t here to help.”

Anja’s expression softened. “That tracks. You did the same thing for her.”

“I told her I was in excellent hands.” He glanced at her. “Which, for the record, was not a line. It’s just true.”

“Smart man.” A corner of her mouth tipped up, and she nodded toward his luggage. “That’s it?”

“I’m a light packer.”

“Your closet looks like a hotel gift shop display.” She set her mug down and checked her phone. “Remi should be here in a couple of hours. He left the compound around five.”

“Remind me who Remi is again.”

“Remington Methany. You probably haven’t met him. He’s one of COBRA Securities’ newest field operatives. He’s a former Army Ranger, transferred over from a private contracting outfit. Logan vouches for him, which is the only reference that matters.” She paused, considering. “He’s good. Great sense of humor. You’ll like him.”

“You say that like you’re managing my expectations.”

“I’m managing nothing. I’m telling you he’s good at his job and he’s bringing gear, and that should make you feel better, not worse.”

Actually, it did, though he wasn’t going to admit that out loud at seven in the morning.

They ate toast, bacon, and the last of the eggs Leo had in the fridge, while Anja ran through the morning’s plan. They were moving to a COBRA Securities-owned safe house just around the corner, fully wired and swept. Devonte’s family was being moved separately, with a different team handling that end, so Leo didn’t need to worry about logistics there. Leo had called Devonte to let him know, and Devonte had thanked him profusely.

“And Pinnacle?” he asked.

“That’s for tomorrow. Today we’ll set up, get organized, and let Tyler walk us through what he’s found on the thumb drive.” She rinsed her plate and set it in the dishwasher with a precision that made him think she’d probably alphabetize a junk drawer if left alone with one long enough. “Today’s the simple day, Leo. Enjoy it. You won’t get many more.”

Anja’s phone buzzed two hours later. “That’s Remi.”

A sharp rap sounded.

The man on the other side of Leo’s door took up most of the entryway. He had to be six-five, with a physique that came from years of carrying a pack and a rifle up mountains rather than time in a gym, though it was clear he spent time there too. His blond hair was cut close on the sides and sticking up on the top, and his blue eyes did the same fast read of the apartment Anja had done when she arrived.

“Leo De Luca.” He stuck out a hand, and Remi’s grip was as firm as Leo expected.

“Remi Methany. Heard a lot about you.”

“All bad, I hope.”

“Mostly good, actually. According to Anja, you’re a pain in the ass, but one she finds tolerable.” Remi’s mouth twitched. “High praise, from her.”