“Well, it’s my phone you’re messing with. That’s kind of important.”
“Can you at least put on a shirt while you’re invading my personal space?”
So that was why she wanted him to step back. Luke smiled. “Haven’t you heard? Invading personal space is much more fun with less clothes involved.”
She let out a small laugh. “Dick,” she muttered as she finished putting the chip in the phone and sealed it back up. “So I’m now officially listening to whatever you’re saying around your phone. So don’t talk shit about me when it’s around.”
“Only behind your back and away from the phone. Understood.”
She gave him a look, but he couldn’t tell whether she was more amused or annoyed. “The recording quality could be compromised by where the phone is located. So try to keep the microphone unobstructed. On your desk would be best. If you have it on your person when you’re out, try to wear slacks, not jeans, since the material is lighter. Or, better yet, a belt clip that holds your phone but doesn’t cover the mic part.”
“So there’s no way for them to sense this? You don’t think they’ll wave me down like the movies?”
“If they were going to search you for a wire, they would ask you not to bring your phone inside.”
It wasn’t the quick rejection of the idea he was expecting. He’d just go ahead and assume that it wouldn’t be like the movies. “I will do my best to catch every syllable the bastard says.”
“I’m glad we have an understanding.” She was quiet then, and they stood like that for a few long seconds. Eventually, she finally let her gaze trail lower, and he couldn’t keep the smile off his face. No matter what she said, he was going to get her in bed. It might not be until after this whole thing was over, but it was going to happen.
Evelyn finally let out a sigh. “I’m going to try to stay scarce today. I doubt Longineu would tag me as FBI, but better safe than sorry. I’ll have my door cracked and will be thoroughly eavesdropping, so I’ll hear if Cali brings him over.”
“I’ll feel very safe knowing that you’re nowhere to be seen.”
She narrowed her eyes but didn’t give any witty comeback. Instead, she turned to head out of the room, taking her bag with her.
“What’s all that?” He pointed to the bag.
Evelyn shot him a grin over her shoulder. “Toys. I don’t think we need to completely wire up the office for this one meeting, but I like to have the tools here just in case.”
“Never get between the feds and their toys.”
“Got that right.” She reached the door. “Remember, I’ll be right across the hall if you need anything.”
“Trust me, I’ll remember.”
CHAPTER SIX
Evelyn had listened in on a lot of people in the past decade, and she couldn’t think of one who she liked more than she had before hearing all their private conversations. But Luke was the first.
For some reason, the cocky, arrogant ass she was so used to wasn’t around when he spoke to anyone else. After overhearing a phone call between him and one of his male managers, she’d assumed that maybe he was just that way with women.
But he was also a perfectly decent human being around Cali too. No sexual innuendo, he listened to her ideas, was respectful even when he disagreed and never once said anything rude. He was charming, polite, and most of all, smart. He was able to maneuver people to his way of thinking without even making it seem as though he was disagreeing or sounding like some oily used-car salesman.
Evelyn managed to get a few items of paperwork done in the few silent moments that Luke wasn’t on the phone or in some meeting, but for the most part, she tried to familiarize herself with Brian Longineu as much as possible.
The forty-five-year-old was heir to a Texas oil fortune. He had a beauty queen trophy wife but was known for his side relationships. Based off correlating travel and credit card records, the agency thought that his affair with Joslyn Devereaux had lasted for about six months. His tax returns showed a steadily increasing wealth consistent with legit investments, but Evelyn had a feeling that if they knew where to look, they could at least get him for tax evasion.
Because if he was in the Thirteen Stars, and a leader of them from what Evelyn suspected, he was making a lot of money he wasn’t reporting on those tax returns.
“Luke, there’s a Mr. Longineu here for you,” said Cali from the hallway.
Evelyn perked up and turned up the volume on her earbuds. She didn’t want anyone else knowing that she was listening in, and this way she could have the volume as loud as possible.
“Great,” said Luke. “Send him in.”
Evelyn pulled open the drawer and grabbed out a pen and paper to take notes. The entire conversation would be recorded, but she wanted to write down anything that stuck out to her just in case.
She tapped the pen repetitively on the paper as she waited for Longineu to get there. Please be something, she thought. This case was dead end after dead end.
Not that public corruption cases she worked in Texas moved much faster, but at least she was home when she was working those. Not stuck in New York, working white-collar. This could be the break in the case she was waiting for, and if they could bust Longineu for tax evasion, that would be enough to make her career—even if none of the Thirteen Stars went down with him.
If there was one thing the government liked, it was money. And the agents who found the money.
She could hear Cali and Longineu’s footsteps before they spoke. Cali did a quick introduction before she left the men to it and Evelyn leaned in closer.
Only to practically jump out of her chair as someone knocked on her slightly open door. She regained her composure and cursed under her breath, taking out one of the earbuds as she turned to look at the intruder. Cali.
“Hey,” she said with a forced smile. “What’s going on?” Hopefully it was something small and she’d be out of Evelyn’s hair ASAP so she could go back to listening.
“Hello.” Cali’s smile looked genuine. “I wanted to check in and make sure everything was working out so far.”
Great, she was trying to be friendly at exactly the wrong moment. “Everything’s fine. Luke has been keeping me really busy,” she said briskly. Hopefully Cali would take the hint and leave.
Cali’s gaze quickly scanned over the desk and Evelyn bet she was noticing that there was no paperwork in front of Evelyn to signify she was busy at all. “Well, if you have a spare moment, I’m taking a long weekend and could use some extra hands.”
“Of course. I can probably stop by after lunch to see if you need anything.”
“Sounds great.” Except Cali’s expression practically screamed how suspicious she was.
Evelyn didn’t care about Cali being suspicious. As long as she didn’t mention it to Longineu on the way out, which Evelyn thought was highly unlikely considering Cali’s normal professionalism.
But after a few seconds, Cali was still there. As though she wanted to voice her concerns but was working up the nerve to question not only the new girl, but the boss Cali had worked with for years. Evelyn didn’t have time for patience, though. She needed to be listening to Luke and Longineu right now.
“If that’s all, I really need to finish this up for Luke.” She pointed her pen at the empty notebook as though it was filled with a mile-long to-do list.
Cali’s frown deepened, but she finally nodded. “Sure. Come see me when you want some more to do.”
After she was out of the doorframe, Evelyn reached out with a leg to kick the door shut. It bounced on the frame but didn’t latch. Close enough. She wasn’t going to get up and miss any more of this conversation.
She shoved in the other earbud and leaned forward, trying to orient herself with what they were saying. It sounded as if they were exchanging pleasantries still. Talking about the stats of some sort of sports players...football.
Not her favorite sport, but not the most boring one. They went on about the most recent game fo
r a while before Longineu got down to business. Apologizing for the way the Ken situation went down and making sure Luke knew they were a professional organization.
Evelyn held a hand over her ear, trying to listen for any tense undertones or any signal that Luke might be uncomfortable. But he sounded like the easygoing guy she was so used to. As they got back to football and discussed the newest draft picks for Rutgers, Evelyn rolled her eyes.
But it made sense that Luke would be into it. She knew from his file that he’d played in high school, and judging from his still cut body, he still enjoyed sports.
And then her mind was back on his abs. She’d been so damned determined to put last night behind them, and of course she’d walked in on him all...sweaty. Why was that so hot? Sweat was gross and smelly, but seeing those biceps and chest all shiny had been anything but gross to her in the moment.
Nope. That man would be haunting her fantasies for the rest of her life probably. Which wasn’t exactly professional. Or logical, for that matter. But Evelyn was coming to understand that her attraction to that man didn’t give a flying fuck about what was logical.
She picked up the pen and started to draw the rough outline of a man as the conversation went on. She added on a few ridges and planes until the shape started to resemble Luke more and more.
And then the conversation finally went to the good stuff.
“I have a meeting coming up,” said Luke. “I can move it over, or we can continue this later. I’d love to know a bit more about the operation.”
There was a pause and Evelyn held her breath as she waited to hear Longineu’s response.
“That sounds great. I’d love a chance to get to know you better too.”
Good grief, it sounded as if they were going on their first date. But Evelyn didn’t care. This was perfect. One on one, private location—Luke could ask all the questions he wanted. Yes. Please say yes, Luke.
“I have a busy week coming up,” said Luke. “Let me check my schedule...”
No, you son of a bitch. You agree to whatever day that man wants!
“Hmmm. I can do Friday evening.”
“Friday it is. I think there’s a club opening happening that night. I’ll make sure you’re on the list.”
Club? What kind of club did too-rich-for-their-own-good tycoons go to? She supposed she’d find out soon enough.
“I look forward to hearing from you,” said Luke.
She listened for any sound of them leaving or final good-byes, but didn’t hear anything. Maybe Luke wasn’t one for long good-byes. Guys tended to be more short with the pleasantries. Especially once they got what they wanted.
Evelyn let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Two more nights and she might be all set to get arrest warrants. So close, yet so far...
“Excuse me,” said a masculine voice from the hallway.
Evelyn was able to contain her surprise this time and calmly removed the earbuds before she turned to face the one person she didn’t want to see. Brian Longineu. She let the confusion show on her face. “Hello. Can I help you?”
He had a sheepish grin on and she tried to determine how genuine it was. He had crow’s feet in the corners of his eyes and some of the hair at the top of his temples was starting to go gray, but Longineu was still an attractive man.
This was also the man Joslyn had blackmailed for six figures a month and the one who put a hit on Emma out of fear for what she would discover.
“I was looking for the restroom. Could you point me in the right direction?”
Every nerve was on high alert and Evelyn made sure her breathing stayed calm and smooth. “The executive bathroom is right around the corner.” She pointed in the direction of Cali’s desk. “It has the little man figure on the door, so you should see it.”
“Fantastic. I must’ve missed it coming in. Thank you, Ms....”
“Peterson,” she supplied. She had a feeling he wanted her to stand and shake his hand, but Evelyn stayed put. She didn’t want to invite more conversation, so playing the bitch card might be best.
“Thank you, Ms. Peterson,” he finished. He gave one more small nod of thanks before he turned to leave. She managed to keep herself at her desk for a good fifteen minutes before she finally jumped up and made her way across the hall to Luke’s office. Once she saw that he was alone, she slipped in and shut the door.
Luke glanced up from his computer and smiled.
A bit of her worry faded away as she saw how happy he looked. “That proud of yourself?” she asked.
“What? Not a football fan?”
“You did that on purpose?”
“Hell yeah. I thought you’d appreciate a bit of an education on the wonders of college ball.”
She snorted. “I’m trying to protect you and you’re trying to put me to sleep.”
He held up his hands. “You said to bond with him.”
“Smart ass,” she muttered even as a smile crept into her mouth. She almost hated to burst Luke’s good mood with what just happened. “I have concerns...” she said carefully.
Just like that, his face fell. “Why? Everything seemed to go great on my end.”
She nodded. “On your end. Longineu showed up at my office right after he left yours. He asked for the bathroom.”
“He could’ve just had to piss.” But Luke’s face didn’t seem convinced.
“He could’ve asked you. Or Cali. Not wander into a strange office to ask me. There’s only two options I can think of.”
“Like?”
“Either he suspects I’m not who I say I am—”
“Which makes no sense because he shouldn’t know you exist.”
“Or he wanted to hit on me.”
Luke leaned back in his chair. “Now that makes sense to me.”
Well, it was nice to know Luke thought she was hit on material. Er, not nice. Not something her asset should be thinking about her. “It makes me uneasy. How sure are you that Cali is loyal?”
Luke went dead serious. “One hundred percent certain.”
“Even the nicest people can be desperate. Has she had any money trouble that she’s mentioned recently?”
“With the amount we pay her, I don’t think money problems are possible. None of my people would be giving away my personal business. What about your end?”
Evelyn’s eyes widened. “My people? The FBI?”
“Don’t look so shocked. You do come from public corruption. Your entire job was finding dirty cops.”
That would be a problem. Mainly because there were enough people at the Bureau who knew about her assignment that it would be almost impossible to nail down who it was. If it actually was a dirty agent, which Evelyn wasn’t willing to believe yet.
“Either way, I feel that I should warn you that going to meet Longineu on Friday might not be a good call. If he suspects something, I don’t want you alone with him.”
Luke narrowed his eyes. “Is that right?”
“It’s my responsibility to get the Thirteen Stars and keep you alive. I’d prefer to do both.”
He nodded briefly. “Well, that’s nice, but I don’t care.”
“You don’t care?”
“If this is the guy who tried to kill Emma, I’m going to nail his ass to the wall. Not tiptoe around at the slightest threat.”
“And if he tries to hurt you?”
“Then I’ll take care of it.”
Cocky man had no idea what he was saying. “And if he tries to hurt me?” she tried, hoping to talk some sense into him.
“Then I’ll kill him.”
Evelyn was taken aback at the sudden declaration, but Luke seemed one hundred percent serious. “I’m, um, I’m supposed to be protecting you.”
Luke scoffed and stood, meeting her eyes over his desk. “As long as you’re helping me, you’re under my protection. I might not be a ninja like you, but around here, Devereaux protection means something.”
Evelyn opened her mouth and shut it
just as quick. She didn’t know what to say to that. Just a day ago, she could’ve sworn that Luke wanted to kill her, and now he was protecting her? For that matter, she hadn’t been very fond of him one day earlier either.
“I appreciate that,” she finally muttered as she backed up a few steps. “I’m going to talk to a coworker and I’ll let you know my assessment of the Friday meeting.”
“Assess all you want. I’m still going,” said Luke.
Evelyn reached back for the door. “And I’ll consider that when I’m assessing. Good-bye, Luke.”
Before he could say anything else, she slipped out of his office and closed the door behind her. And looked right into Cali’s big, blue, suspicious eyes.
“Updating Luke on your...project?” asked Cali, the innuendo clear in her tone.
Evelyn sighed. On the list of her problems, worrying about Cali thinking she and Luke were screwing was on the bottom of her list. “Yep,” she said as she headed back to her office. “Just showing Luke all the ins and outs.”
She left Cali standing slack jawed as she shut the door to her own office on the woman.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Gail straightened her leather jacket before she tucked the rest of her shoulder-length hair into a ponytail. “Are you sure it wouldn’t be better if Luke knew I was there?”
Evelyn shook her head as she sat back on Gail’s bed. “Luke is smart, but he’s not a field agent. I can’t trust him not to look for you or give you away. Also, I think my faith in him to keep himself safe is giving him a confidence boost that he needs right now.”
“I thought you said he had more confidence than ten men combined?”
“Well, yeah. In terms of looks and his job. But I think he’s a little out of his league here.”
“So it increases your confidence in him?”
Gail was much too perceptive for her own good. “If you don’t want to help, just say so.”
“I can do a simple watch and report job.” She smiled, obviously enjoying giving Evelyn a bit of crap. “At least you’re worried about his safety now. That’s a step up from last week.”
“Just because I didn’t like the guy didn’t mean I wanted him to die.”
Testing The Boss (Billionaires In The City, #5) Page 5