Page 56 of Dominic Powers Duet Box Set
Through her smile, she wipes away tears from her beautiful face. “Tears of happiness, Dom,” she says when she sees me looking at them. “You’ve made me so happy. I love you—with all my heart I love you!”
* * *
After thoroughly goingthrough every detail of my accident, Shadow is convinced that I am indeed the target and he will accompany me to Tennessee. As a former CIA agent, and a member of the elite Delta Force special operations team, he still has the security clearance needed to enter the facility in Oak Ridge. Tucker is still with Sophia, and while I trust both men with my life, I am the only man I completely trust with Sophia’s life. It’s killing me to leave her in Dallas. Shadow senses my discomfort and again reassures me that Sophia is fine and in good hands. He’s been in constant contact with Tucker and they have coordinated all of our activities.
After landing in Knoxville, Shadow and I make the short drive to the facility in Oak Ridge. This facility is the storage place for the weapons-grade enriched uranium and home to one of the few supercomputers in the world. Gaining this contract is significant to DPS. Our software development will revolutionize their security systems in several different areas of their operations. The hardest part of this entire deal will be over the next few days. Once the contract provisions are approved, the ‘easier’ work of changing their systems over can begin.
Pulling up to the expansive facility, Shadow and I are checked out thoroughly before granted access to the grounds. Because of his past, Shadow’s credentials were a little easier to verify than mine. The guard double-checked every signed paper and every bit of my personal identification to ensure it exactly matched the information they had in their systems. I am excited to think about how my company’s software engineers can change this process, making it more streamlined and more secure.
At the end of the day, I’m mentally exhausted. We were given an extensive tour of every division within the top-secret compound. At various stations, multiple people quizzed me on my ideas to change, upgrade, or enhance their current operations. It was all a test—some of the processes didn’t need upgrades and some did. They wanted to know that I had done my homework before wasting their time with the contract provisions.
Thatwas actually the more grueling part of the day since their policies required that we review every single line of the contract. We talked and negotiated through multiple pages, the administrative assistant would make the required changes, and then we would start the next section. This will be the sum of my week here and I have to keep reminding myself of how the benefits outweigh how mundane this week will be.
Shadow and I are on our way back to the hotel where I will experience the highlight of my day—the distinct pleasure of calling Sophia via Face Time. Checking the time, I realize that since Dallas is an hour behind Oak Ridge, Sophia is likely still at the office.
“Not that I haven’t enjoyed your company today, but I think I will just have room service and relax in my room tonight,” I say to Shadow.
He nods, “Sounds good to me. That was boring as shit.”
I throw my head back in laughter at his candor. “Hell yeah, it was! And this is my business!”
“I don’t know how you do that every day. I’ve had to do a lot of different jobs as an undercover agent, but thankfully it was never anything like that. That was just pure torture,” Shadow laughs.
“Only four more days of that,” I quip and he groans in frustration.
We check into our hotel and Shadow checks my room first. Before leaving, he gives me strict instructions.
“Don’t leave this room for any reason. When room service comes up, I will check it out and deliver it. If it’s not me at the door, don’t open it.”
“Got it. Thanks, Shadow.” He gives a single nod in response and walks off to his room next door.
Grabbing my cell, I immediately call Tucker. “How’s Sophia? Any problems today?”
“She’s fine. No problems. She’s still working and I’m sitting outside her office waiting for her. It’s been a normal workday—nothing exciting and nothing suspicious,” Tucker advises.
I’m instantly relieved at the good news. “Thanks, Tucker. Glad to hear it. I’ll give her a call and tell her it’s time to go home.”
“Sounds good, boss,” Tucker says and we disconnect.
I call Sophia’s work number and wait for her to answer, “DPS. This is Sophia Vasco. How can I help you?”
“You can go home, take off all your clothes, and Face Time me,” I respond using my bedroom voice.
“That is actually the best offer I’ve heard all day. I just may have to take you up on that.”
“Then, do it. Get out of there. You’ve been working long enough. You need to eat and get ready for my call. I’m going to order room service and I’d like to have my cupcake for dessert.”
“You are quite the tease, Mr. Powers. You know you’re not here to have dessert,” she says with her embarrassed laugh.
“Surely you don’t still get embarrassed with me, Sophia.”
“No. It’s just that I’ve never done this. I’m a little nervous about it.”
“Neither have I, but it’ll be great. It’s with you, so there’s no other choice but great.”
“I’m closing up shop now and heading home, Dom. I’ll talk to you soon,” she says seductively.
“There’s my girl,” I say. “Be careful, love.”
We say our goodbyes and I order my food from room service. What I really want is not on the menu. But itison the agenda for tonight.
