On Her Master's Secret Service (Masters and Mercenaries #4)(54)

Adam groaned a little. “Just get me names and, if you can, pictures. I’ll figure it out. I’ve got some damn fine facial recognition software. If they’re in criminal databases, I should be able to find them.”

“You are the computer wizard. Once we set up our bugs, I want you to start listening in,” Alex said, looking through some papers. “Kristen?”

She swallowed what looked like half a cinnamon roll. Eve couldn’t help but notice that Kristen was one of those women who wasn’t bothered by her weight. She wasn’t small by any means. She had an hourglass figure and the confidence of a woman who knew she was sexy. And she was actually quite lovely. From her full breasts to her long strawberry blonde hair, she was a bombshell. Was Alex smiling at her just to be friendly? It suddenly occurred to her that Kristen was pretty perfect for someone like Alex. She would understand his work and she had a free-flowing smile that fairly lit up a room. “I am going to use my boobs to distract the kitchen staff so Little Tag can take his pictures. They think these are lesbian boobs. It’s like the ultimate forbidden fruit.”

“Oh, god, don’t send me in with her.” Sean let his head hit the table, but not before Eve saw him smile. Maybe she wouldn’t have to have that talk. Apparently, Kristen had charmed him, too. “I take back what I said. I figured out what’s bugging me about her. She’s the obnoxious little sister I was blessed to not have.”

Kristen sighed as though deeply satisfied. “I’m totally writing that into my story. If I live long enough to write the story. I’ll mention you in my Pulitzer acceptance speech.”

Alex’s eyes found hers. “You should eat, Eve.”

“I’m not a big carb fan.” She loved them. Adored them. Craved them. They went straight to her hips, and she had to stay in control. Now more than ever. If she gave in, she would end up eating a gallon of ice cream and crying while watching old movies that made her think of Alex. Sometimes it felt like what she ate was the only thing she had control over.

Alex frowned. “We’re having lunch with Chazz and the bouncers. We’re supposed to go over what we’ll need when we run a scene for the investors who are coming in and then we’re going to walk the floor of the club all night so I can get a feel for it. I think you’re going to need your energy.”

That sounded horrible. Positively awful. And it was what she’d signed up for. “I brought along some protein bars. I’ll eat one in a little while.”

“All right.” Alex put his hands on the table and frowned. “Eve, could I speak with you privately? On the balcony, perhaps? The rest of you, get to work. Tonight, after we get back from the club, I want to hear some plans about how to get a little alone time in Chazz’s office. It’s isolated. I need a way in and a way to not get caught. I want his computer files, his cell phone duped, his apartment and car bugged. Get me solutions, people. I want to be ready when Evans makes his move. Chazz said he had some big plans in the next few weeks. I think that means Evans is coming for a visit. We need to be ready.”

He pushed his chair back and walked out to the balcony without looking back.

It was a different part of the house, but her stomach turned at the thought of being on the balcony with him again. The night before had been so emotional. How could he just walk out there? Was he going to talk about what had happened? Worse, was he going to act like nothing had happened?

She was so damn confused.

But she had a job to do, and Alex was running the op. She owed him the courtesy of following his lead. She took a long breath and forced herself to move. She should have set an alarm so she would be going into this little meeting after a shower and with full armor on. She hadn’t even put on makeup. It had been forever since Alex had seen her without the full Chanel treatment. She hated feeling so damn vulnerable.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” She tried to close the door behind her. Hurricane glass. It was so heavy.

Alex shut it with one hand. “We have to talk about how this is going to go, Eve. You haven’t been in the field in a long time. We haven’t worked together in this capacity before, and I want it to be smooth and easy.”

He was so calm, so professional. Somehow, she’d thought they would both be awkward, trying to find their way, but Alex seemed perfectly content. He looked cool and collected as he sat down on one of the rattan chairs with deep red cushions.

The waves crashed against the shores, soft morning light making the whole world seem gauzy and romantic. Why couldn’t they have been in a city somewhere without all the romantic trappings of the damn beach?

She was going to have to pull herself together. “All right. So, we’re going into the lion’s den today, huh?”

His fingers tapped against the arm of the chair. “Yes. And that’s what I’m worried about. We’re supposed to be a long time D/s couple. I worry that when it comes time to obey me, you’re going to flinch.”

It was a legitimate worry. She couldn’t blame him for it. “I promise I won’t. Alex, I can do this job. I know what to do.”

“I asked you to eat the cinnamon roll and you wouldn’t. I need to know that you’re going to play this part every minute of every day we’re here. You can’t pick and choose what you want to do.” He sighed and leaned forward. “I know how the D/s works at your club. It’s the same way I view it. The submissive is ultimately in control. She can choose to obey her Master or to use her safeword, but I can’t have you safewording me over a cinnamon roll. Go and get one and bring it out here.”