Page 60 of Resurgent

"Hey, Scout."

Theo catches my wrist before I even make it a few steps from the car, a lazy smile spreading across his face just as another couple strolls past us. He steps into my space like it's the most natural thing in the world, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

I freeze.

His fingers linger just long enough for me to feel the cool metal of a communication rune sticking discreetly against the skin behind my ear.

Without changing his expression, he leans close, his lips brushing my ear as though he's whispering something intimate.

"I'll let you know if I see the drop," he murmurs. "Don't forget—tap it twice if you need me."

Then, just loudly enough for the passing couple to hear, he adds with a wink, "Don't keep me waiting too long."

“Wouldn’t dream of it, Big Guy. Now, I’m going in before the cops get called to investigate a murder.”

His deep, awkward laugh follows me as I disappear into the alleyway. The moment I'm out of his line of sight, I duck behind the neighboring building and let the morph settle over me.

Thankfully, it's a simple one.

After weeks of being sidelined while my body healed, I wasn't exactly eager to test my limits with a drastic transformation. This only takes a few seconds—a subtle shift instead of a complete overhaul. My black hair lightens a few shades, my brown eyes melt into a vivid green, my face rounds out a little more than normal, and my frame stretches another three inches.

Just enough to become someone else.

The crop top I picked out for the mission sits perfectly against my now much smaller chest, which is unfortunate because that means despite how cute it is, it’s as good as trash after this mission. Luckily, the loose, ripped jeans hanging low on my hips give off a look of effortless confidence that guarantees once this mission’s over, and the jeans are hemmed to my actual height, they'll definitely be one of my favorite pairs.

Slipping around the side of the building, I ease through the kitchen entrance.

Luckily, two busboys are wrestling a keg toward the walk-in cooler, arguing over whose turn it is to refill the taps, neither of them so much as glancing my way.

Perfect.

Tossing a shot of tequila back that I snag from the waitresses tray, I force a slow deep breath in and replay the plan in my mind.

Music pounds through the room, bass vibrating beneath my boots as bodies sway shoulder to shoulder beneath strings of dim amber lights. One quick glance, and I spot him—back still to the bartender as he casually scans the bar for his target.

Unlucky for him, he is mine.

Losing myself in the music, I move just enough to look like someone out for a fun night, hunting for a different kind of target. Loose hips. Relaxed shoulders. A smile that comes easy and confidently.

Matt’s always said guys notice confidence before beauty.

A minute passes of me dancing before I steal a glance, but he’s staring at his phone, not at the dance floor.

A few more minutes.

He's checking his phone again.

I suppress a groan. Damnit, Mattey, come on!

Another song starts….And ends.

At this rate, Theo’s going to think I fell into the toilet. At least whatever flirting he'd managed on the drive over will be dead and buried by the time I get back to the car.

Finally, his attention lifts, his gaze sweeping lazily across the crowd before stopping…on me.

A slow grin curls across my lips. Gotcha.

Holding his stare for just a few seconds longer than polite, I turn as if I'd only just noticed the bar, weaving through the crowd and sliding smoothly into the empty stool beside him.