by Tara Brown
“He didn't mean that,” Luce defended him, trying to save my feelings.
“I know,” my voice cracked but I refused to cry. “He’s right though. Coop is bringing her here to rub in my face. And I deserve it. Don't I?” My stiff upper lip trembled. “I’m gonna go cry in the shower like a winner.” I held it together just long enough to leave the room.
It would be the last time I watched Coop on CCTV.
I had punished myself more than I could handle.
3
Kathleen Turner
“Did you find him?” I asked Jack coolly. We needed to find Servario so we could warn him about the Simone situation. Servario might have intel on her we didn't, and therefore reasons to not have her at his house. He was particular about things like that. He was also somehow capable of convincing our commander of opinions he might not want to have. And we didn't want Simone. None of us. Not even Mom and Fitz. No one thought bringing a new person into this mess was a good idea. We were off the reservation so to speak, and working on a level of covert even we didn't fully grasp. And we were likely going to break every law under the sun to do this.
Plus, as Mom had pointed out, Simone had never done a single mission in her life, and this was the one the commander saw fit to include her in?
It was wrong, something was off about it.
I had a bad feeling she was the Saransk mole. The threat of him was picking at me.
“Yeah. Servario’s in Paris,” Jack replied cautiously, his eyes quickly darting to me and away again. We hadn’t recovered from the mean thing he’d said yesterday. But that didn't stop the mission of ruining Coop’s plans from going forward. Especially now that the mission was cockblocking the blonde, as Luce so eloquently put it. “He’s staying at the Peninsula Hotel. I believe he’s on the first floor.”
“What?” That didn't sound right. Servario was a penthouse kind of guy.
“Yeah, the best suite in the hotel is there,” Jack said.
That sounded more like it.
“But you haven’t got anything to message him on? I don’t really want to go there. All we need is for him to check her out.”
“I don't have a way of communicating with him, and I would hate to risk it by sending him a message of any sort,” Jack replied. “But you could use the helicopter and go to him. Make it a day trip. Super fast. In and out.”
There was a “that’s what she said” joke in there somewhere but none of us was in a joking mood so we left it.
“I guess.” I didn't want to leave the estate. I had been enjoying our helicopter and jet plane-free spring and summer thus far. I’d assumed that if Servario wanted to see me, he would find a sneaky way to do it, especially after his confession and proposal. But that hadn’t happened. I told myself he was keeping us safe. Protecting my kids. I believed it to a degree. There was another part of my mind that whispered, When the cat’s away . . .
“Well?” Jack asked. "Am I booking it?"
“Yeah, I’ll fly there and see him and come right home,” I relented.
“Okay,” he muttered and started to type again.
I turned and stared at Coop in the office on the TV screen, also typing away. “Has he made contact again?”
“Yeah, he wanted to be sure I still had a full office there for her to use. I told him to fuck off and he never texted back.” He said it all with a nonchalant tone.
“Excellent.” I wasn’t nearly as blasé or dull in tone. If the girl checked out, we didn't have a valid reason not to let her join our team. Everyone had to start somewhere. But none of us wanted her.
“Done. I have your flight path logged for a Brit named Kathleen Turner.” Jack beamed.
“What?” Our conversation had been going so well. “Kathleen Turner?” Old, mom-ish, past her prime?
“I loved her in Romancing the Stone, it’s my mom’s favorite movie.” He lifted his gaze to mine, his eyes doing all the apologizing until he finally spoke softly, “I’m so sorry I said that, yesterday.”
“It’s okay.” I let down my guard and spoke from the heart, “I understand. You were pissed and I was cruel to Coop and that made you angry with me. Deep down you’re sort of blaming me for this, aren’t you? Like had I not mixed business and pleasure with Coop, he wouldn't be retaliating with this girl.”
“I mean, the thought crossed my mind—”
“I don’t think that’s it, Jack. As angry and hurt as I am, I don't believe Coop retaliates like that.” It was time for me to use my mom skills a little. “Coop might be a jerk and reason with his dick more than he should. But if he’s bringing this girl to us, he’s doing it because he believes you could use some help. He wouldn't do anything to hurt you ever.” I stepped closer, hoping my expression was soft and kind enough, motherly. “And seeing you this last month, maybe it’s not such a bad idea. You almost never leave this room. Your eyes are straining from too much computer. You’re single-handedly tracking everyone from the list to ensure they aren’t in London or using the trains, airports, or bank machines anywhere near us. You’re tracking Coop, to keep an eye on him. You’re trying to figure out some type of program to use the nanobots and destroy the Burrow. You’re focused so hard on all of this, that you’re exhausted. Maybe this Simone can be taught to do things the way you like. Maybe she isn’t such a bad thing.” I was reaching, desperately. “Even if you gave her the simple work, menial tasks. You could save yourself some time.”
“Maybe.” His brow knit, clearly he wasn’t convinced.
“And honestly, Coop, Luce, and I can’t help you. You’re one of a kind on this team. The rest of us could do each other’s jobs easily. But not yours. I don't agree that she should be coming here. I don't want my kids around some new person we have to try to explain away, along with all the other shit we try to hide. I do believe Servario needs to know someone is being brought in. This is his house and she could be a spy for the Organization, and if anyone knows that stuff, it’s him. And she needs to be kept in the city away from us until we know for sure she’s all right.” I sighed. “But maybe we all need to give the idea of help some thought in case she checks out and Coop is genuinely worried about you. It'll be okay, Jack. Trust me.” I winked at him and turned to leave.
“Evie, wait.”
“Yeah?” I angled back toward him.
“Thanks. You’re a really good mom. You always put everyone above yourself. I wish my mom was more like you.”
“Thanks, Jack.” He caught me off guard. I pressed my lips together and hurried from the room, not upset but touched by the best compliment Jack had ever given me. Maybe anyone had ever given me.
And honestly, I needed it. I'd been feeling like a terrible mother since all this started.
Pressing my back against the wall, I took a couple of deep breaths, recovering as best I could. I didn’t have time to be emotional. I needed to track down Servario before he found out about Simone some other way. Cockblocking Coop from bringing his girlfriend to the house had been my motivation, but now I had to ensure Servario found out about her from us and didn't end up assuming something else. Something that could get the girl tortured. Especially not if she checked out. The problem was of course that the only person able to check her out thoroughly was Servario. If he said she wasn't a mole, I would believe him, but I wouldn't rest until he did.
We needed his help as much as we needed to warn him.
I hurried to the kitchen to find the kids making personal-sized pizzas with Fitz and Mom. “What’s going on here?”
“All right, darling?” Mom asked. Hawk Eyes never missed anything.
“Yeah, Jack just made me laugh until I cried.” I avoided her gaze and kissed Jules on the cheek. “I’m going to be gone for a day, off to France. Will you guys be okay?”
“Oh God, yes. Go. We’ll be great here. Jules is going riding with Ferdinand later. And Mitch has a tea date to play chess with Jack. Fitz and I will be fine, dear.”
“Absolutely,” Fitz agreed.
“Excellent. I’ll be back tomorrow night.”
“Of course, darling.” Mom’s eyes twinkled with delight as she stifled a chuckle.
“Love you.” I leaned in and kissed Jules again. “Be good. And be safe. Horses can be dangerous. Listen to what Gerald says. He knows what he’s doing and he’s known Ferdinand a long time.” The stable master had essentially been given a new job, riding with Jules. He spent two hours every day taking her out. Mitch had gone once, but he didn't love it.
I walked to him and kissed his cheek, earning a grossed-out face I ignored. “Don't play video games all night long. Take breathers and look outside every hour.”
“Oh my God, Mom.” Mitch rolled his eyes.
“Thanks.” I kissed Fitz and Mom on the cheek and left the room with a wave. “I’ll bring back chocolates.”
I hurried to my room to pack although I wondered if going to France was a bad idea.
Surprising Servario was always a gamble.
And yet, I suspected he’d know I was coming.
As I packed I speculated about his being psychic.
It was almost creepy the way he knew everything.
And despite being worried about what he would be up to in France, I told myself he had given me a glass slipper, a ring, and a proposal.
So it wasn't weird that I would surprise him.
Not since we loved each other.
I filled the small bag with a change of clothes, one cute dress, some heels, and my makeup. I pulled on a blonde wig and grabbed my sunglasses before leaving the house, a little too excited about seeing him. My body needed twenty-four hours of Servario. Hell, I honestly only needed an hour of him in the bedroom, the rest could be a mini break.
In the driveway, the driver, Ernesto, gave me a smile. “Master Jack says we are going to the airfield.”
“Indeed we are.” I returned the smile and climbed into the back of the Bentley.
“Very good.” He closed my door and got in. We drove in silence.
The airfield was quite close by. It was small and private and likely owned by Servario.
The helicopter and its pilot were there, waiting and warmed up—the helicopter was anyway. The pilot never warmed. She was a German woman named Judy, with no last name or desire to discuss anything beyond a quick and, if I was lucky, informal hello.
Once we were in the air, she spoke to the air traffic controllers only, which was fine. I hated flying in helicopters anyway.
She took her job seriously.
Though I wasn't sure she knew who she worked for.
I imagined she thought it was us, a wealthy family in the English countryside.
But it was Servario.
She didn't seem the sort to be okay with working for a notorious drug and arms dealer.
We landed in Paris at the helipad near the Seine, after the short but tense ride.
A car, a Rolls Royce, was waiting. The driver had a thick accent.
“Hello.” It sounded more like “allo.”
“Hello.” I added my British accent and held my wig in place as I got in.
“You are English?” He nodded.
“Yes, I am.”
“I have English family,” he said with too much enthusiasm. It was a random thing to say, but I imagined the random things I’d said in other languages before, trying to fit in, and gave him a break. Second languages were tough. Not to mention, his English was far better than my French.
For a sweet-looking old man he drove like a crazy person through the narrow streets of Paris, taking what was likely a twenty-minute drive down to twelve minutes. “Here we are.” He opened the door and bowed subtly.
“Thank you, sir.” I offered him a tip in pounds. I didn't have any euros on me.
“Merci!” He lifted the cash and stuffed it into his pocket as he jumped back into the car.
The hotel was on a busy downtown street near the Arc de Triomphe. We’d passed it, whizzing by, on our way.
Turning from the car as it sped away, I stared up at the beautiful architecture of the old building.
It was stunning, at least a hundred years old, but newly redone in a way that preserved the heritage.
My stomach tightened at the thought of seeing Servario.
I was nervous since it had been so long, nervous and excited.
Everyone greeted me in French as I entered the building without pausing. I nodded and smiled at them, acting as though I should be here. I shouldered my bag and hurried down the hallway of the first floor.
I pulled my burner phone out of my pocket and turned it on.
A hotel map appeared in a text from Jack.
Turn right at the end of the hall, second right, last door on the left.
“Thanks,” I replied aloud, not that he would hear me.
You’re welcome.
“Stop spying on me,” I muttered and turned right.
No.
I smiled at the phone, not certain how he had heard me.
I didn't have an earpiece or an eye cam. All I had was—the phone. Of course, which I had to assume he’d done something to.
Ignoring the fact he was watching and listening, I turned the corner and heard a door open and close down the hallway ahead of me, around a corner.
“Darling, I should have brought a shawl. It’s going to get windy later,” a woman spoke softly.
I couldn't see them but I panicked when the man spoke, “I don't think you need to worry about that.”
My heart seized in my chest.
My mouth went dry.
My instincts took over, steering my body down the first right and hurrying my pace to a doorway to hide in. Fortunately, they were large alcoves.
I didn't bother to peek at the couple as they walked past.
It was unnecessary.
I’d know his voice anywhere.
Waiting for my breath to slow down, I pushed off the wall, not following him but rushing to the room they’d just left.
“Jack, that was S with another woman. He’s staying in the penthouse. How do I break into the room?”
His text reply was instant.
Wait!
I almost touched the door to the penthouse as the phone rang.
“Evie, don't do this.”
“Jack, open it or I’ll break it down,” I fumed and tried desperately to hold back my rage.
“Fine,” he conceded. “I can open it remotely. Give me two minutes. The light will be green for half a second, that’s your chance. Leave no fingerprints behind. And get out before he gets back. We don't need S drama.” Jack hung up on me.
I stared at the red light on the door, waiting.
My heart was in my throat and my stomach in my bowels.
“Stupid, Evie. Stupid, stupid, stupid,” I whispered to myself so softly I barely heard it. I hoped Jack didn't.
I wasn’t just ashamed that I’d bought Servario’s bullshit glass-slipper routine and the ring. I’d believed him when he said he loved me. Like a fool. I loved him.
So predictable.
So stupidly predictable.
My self-esteem took a slight hit until the light turned green.
Then vengeful bitchy Evie slid a hand up to the door, using my skirt to cloak my fingers, and opened it.
I crept inside, smelling him everywhere.
The scent didn't trigger all my gushy feelings. I wanted blood. I wanted his head.
Clenching my teeth, I didn't ignore the midnight-blue wrap dress draped over the ivory bedspread. I didn’t ignore the way the silky sheets were bunched and wrinkled and pulled to the side.
Walking to the closets, I forced myself to notice the difference in the clothes she was allowed to wear. Whoever she was, he respected her.
I ran my finger across the blouses and dresses and skirts. They were ladylike. Classy.
The room was stunning, far nicer than anything I’d ever seen.
It certainly wasn't the greasy room in Belgium where he confessed his love to me before drugg
ing me so I'd forget.
You okay?
I glanced at the phone, seeing Jack’s text. “No,” I whispered back.
Ignoring the searing pain in my chest, I scoured the room only to find nothing. Typical Servario had left nothing traceable behind.
My phone rang again.
“Hello?”
“Evie, put the phone down on the bed for like two minutes and let me search the room for any sort of signals. After that, get out,” Jack spoke fast and hung up again.
“Okay.” I put the phone down next to the dress and stared at it, wondering if maybe I would be struck by lightning on my way home, since bad things happened in threes.
Tears clogged my throat, but I managed to squeak out a couple of sentences, “Jack, if anyone ever tells you that you are not romantic enough for them, tell them you don’t need to be. You’re faithful. It’s worth far more.”
And that was the truth about men.
The ones who bought you glass slippers and Harry Winston jewelry were shit. They bought those stupid showy items to try to gloss over the terrible hurt you had coming your way. Or to repair damage they had already done. The ones whispering sonnets were the ones to watch out for.
A nerdy guy who didn’t know how to woo but gave you his heart as he clumsily tore it from his own chest was the ultimate prize. One I would never get the chance to enjoy.
I was over men.
I was never going to love again.
4
Twatwaffle
I was rushing out of the hotel when the phone rang again. “Hello?”
“I’m so sorry to ask this, but could you do me a huge favor?” Jack asked softly.
“Of course.”
“He’s with a blonde, having a meal at a café on the sidewalk. I’ve got him on a CCTV camera at the address I just texted you. If you can get the phone within a hundred yards of him, I can lift his mobile signal and hack it.” Jack disconnected the call. “Then we have means to track and contact him.”