White-Hot Hack (Kate and Ian #2)(14)

“Of course,” he said earnestly. But she knew he wouldn’t. “You’re not upset with me, are you?” Please, Kate, his expression said. I hate telling you no, but I can’t agree to this.

“No. I understand why you don’t want me to do it.”

“You mean the world to me, and every single day I remind myself how fortunate I am that you agreed to become a part of this crazy life I lead.”

“You provided a pretty convincing argument. I’ve never regretted my choice.”

He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

“I’ll let you get back to work,” she said.





CHAPTER SEVEN

Kate and Ian arrived at the black-tie dinner and silent auction for juvenile diabetes research. Susan had acted as chairwoman for the past six years, and when Kate opened the invitation, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, she smiled when she remembered how irresistible her husband looked in a tux. She’d called Susan immediately to RSVP. She was dying to put on a fancy dress and get out of the house and knew Ian would agree to attend any event Susan was involved in. It was also one of the few places they wouldn’t have to worry about running into the wrong person, as whoever had doxed Ian was unlikely to be there.

“I’ll be right back,” Ian said once he’d handed his car keys to the valet and they’d made their way inside the crowded ballroom. “I’m going to fight my way to the bar and get us some drinks.”

As she waited for Ian to return, she sensed that someone was watching her. The tuxedo-clad man standing a few feet away was indistinguishable from the others except for the fact that his eyes seemed to be trained on Kate. He was handsome. Tall, late thirties, short hair, clean-shaven. A younger version of Phillip. She fidgeted awkwardly under the relentless weight of his stare, and her discomfort intensified when he walked toward her, head tilted slightly as if he were trying to place exactly how he knew her. Ian reached her side at the same time the mysterious stranger did.

“Out of all the women in this room, you have to zero in on my wife?” Ian said, but he was smiling widely when he said it.

A surprised look appeared on the man’s face. “This beautiful creature is your wife?”

“Yes, and she’s off-limits,” Ian said, handing Kate a glass of wine. “Especially to you.”

He clutched his chest in mock despair. “That hurts, man.”

Ian’s grin grew wider as the men shook hands and clapped each other on the back.

Ian turned to her. “Kate, please meet Charlie Wittkop. Hacker, task force member, and relentless womanizer.”

“This is Charlie?” It delighted Kate to finally meet someone Ian shared a history with.

“Pretty enthusiastic greeting from your wife, Merrick. My reputation precedes me.”

“I’ve mentioned you exactly once, and it’s Smith now.”

“Of course it is.”

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Kate said.

He shook her outstretched hand. “The pleasure is all mine.”

Charlie raised his glass in Ian’s direction. “Congratulations. Girlfriend and now wife. Must have been quite the whirlwind romance. I’ll assume my wedding invitation got lost in the mail.”

“It was a small, private ceremony.” The look they shared told Kate that despite their verbal sparring, these two men cared about each other. “I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

“I’ve attended the past three years. My cousin’s little girl has diabetes.”

“Then I hope Susan raises lots of money tonight.”

Ice rattled as Charlie drained the last of his drink. “I figured you’d go underground for a while and knew you’d pop up eventually. Had no idea it’d be right in my own backyard.”

“I thought Phillip might have said something to you.”

“He said you were doing the pentesting, but since you flit around the country like a damn gypsy, I had no idea where you might actually be living. Plan on sticking around for a while?”

“Looks that way. It gets much too cold here, but I’ve got this stunner to keep me warm at night.” Ian slid his hand around Kate’s waist, and there was something slightly proprietary in his touch.

“She’s a beauty.” Charlie grinned. “So, are you seriously not coming back to the task force?”

“I’m going to sit this one out.” When Ian had surprised her in the airport and promised not to work undercover anymore, she’d felt relieved. But it had to be difficult for him to be in such close proximity to headquarters yet not be able to participate.

“Lots of trouble brewing. We could sure use you.”

For a split second, his desire to jump right back into the fray showed on his face. “Yeah, well. You’ll have to get along without me.”

A gorgeous blonde walked by and gave Charlie the eye.

“Excuse me,” he said to them. “If I want to wake up next to that woman tomorrow morning, I should really go introduce myself. Incredibly nice meeting you, Kate. I hope I get to see you again.”

“I hope so too.”

“Good luck,” Ian said, gesturing with his glass toward the woman.

“Thanks. I won’t need it.”

Kate watched as Charlie caught up to the blonde, who seemed thrilled to make his acquaintance. “Are you all this cocky and self-assured?”