Indefinite (Salvation #6)(59)

“Watch it,” he warns.

“Seriously, you guys are missing something. I’ve done what I can to get some answers, but whoever it is, they’re hiding their tracks. I would go back as far as you can, figure out who you might’ve pissed off or who would be out for revenge,” Charlie suggests. “None of the stuff leaked is of any consequence, it could be anyone. The information isn’t secretive . . . it’s just annoying. Think back. Think back to who would want to make things difficult for you.”

“You know we’ve already done it,” Jackson says. “We’ve gone over everything already and keep coming up with nothing.”

“There’s still one that I’m not sure about, Muff.”

Jackson shakes his head with a half laugh. “No. It’s not even a real option.”

“What’s not?” I ask.

Jackson grips the back of his neck. “I was married before. I ran Raven Cosmetics for a long time in my ex-wife’s memory. Then, before I expanded to the California office, I sold my shares. Mark,” he says his name like a curse, “seems to think Madelyn’s family holds a grudge.”

“It would make sense,” Liam adds.

“Why? We all moved on a long time ago. I sold the company back to them, and her brother and I made amends over her death. It would make more sense if it was tied to the military.”

The one thing I’ve learned about so many of these situations is that it actually doesn’t ever make sense. Nothing we believe to be true is ever there. Irrational people aren’t about sense and rational people don’t tend to do shit like this.

“I don’t know. I’m with Jackson,” I speak up. “If they wanted to fuck with Jackson, they could’ve.”

Mark shrugs. “But there were never any issues with Raven Cosmetics, only Cole Securities. If it was against Jackson, then wouldn’t they want to hit him from all sides? But they didn’t, which means that there was a personal reason that Raven wasn’t touched. Don’t you think that’s odd?”

“You’re what’s odd,” Jackson says with anger clear in his voice. “It’s not my former in-laws.”

“There’s only one way to be sure.” I get to my feet. “You need to look into it. You need to be sure because, if it isn’t them, then you’re back at zero.”

“And how exactly do you think I’m going to do that? They know Mark and me.”

I shrug. “They don’t know me.”

Jackson’s eyes narrow, and Mark nods slowly. “He’s right, Jackson. Quinn can go, snoop around, maybe gain access to people in their lives, and see if there’s something fishy.”

“And how is he going to do that?”

Please, like that wasn’t what we did half the time we were on missions? “I tail him. I watch, and if I can get close enough, I can plant a device on them and listen. You know, all the shit we were trained to do.”

I can see the uncomfortableness in Jackson’s stance. “I don’t like this. If they found out . . .”

“No one will know,” I vow.

“I would.” Jackson’s voice is steel.

“I won’t let anyone know who I am, Muffin.”

He takes a few breaths. “Fine. They’re in New York anyway. Consider this your first covert assignment. Don’t fuck this up, Quinn.”

I would laugh at him, but I have a feeling he might deck me. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”





“So, you’re investigating who is possibly sabotaging his company?” Ashton asks as she paces the living room.

I should’ve kept my damn mouth shut, but she asked why I was wearing a suit. Usually, when we’re in New York, I’m on the computer or video conferencing. I don’t have to dress up, so when I came out today, she asked a million questions.

“I’m helping because they don’t know me, so there is no reason for them to think Jackson is involved.”

Ashton laughs with a roll of her eyes. “You’re so stupid. You look like a cop or military. You don’t think they’ll be able to figure it out.”

She has no faith in me sometimes. “I was trained to blend, Ash. Give me a little credit.”

I can tell she’s unhappy about this, but I thought she’d understand. We’re in New York, and now I can stay for a few more weeks. Ashton is working at the lab for a few days this week and next because there’s some case she wants to be involved in, so this should’ve been a happy thing.

“I’m not sure I’m okay with this.”

“Okay with what?” I ask with my brows raised.

“You spying on some random people. How is this what you signed on for? You said you were going to be dealing with the logistics and security measures, not spying on his former in-laws.”

“It’s probably not even them.”

“Then you probably shouldn’t be doing this. It’s fucked up and what’s even more fucked up is that you’re the one going! Why doesn’t Jackson just ask them?”

I look at my watch, knowing that my schedule is tight. “I love you, Ash. I really do, but I have to go.”

She rushes over to the door, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m not moving.” It’s cute that she doesn’t think I’ll lift her and move her to the side.