Page 118 of Power
SIMONE
Early Monday morning, Simone woke refreshed and ready to work. Initially, the death-threat text had rattled her, but she refused to be intimidated or scared into submission. This time, she’d push through the fear, the concern, and the monsters lurking in the shadows.
She’d once been a beast. She’d find her inner beast again… or she’d die trying. That’s how determined she was.
After a quick cup of coffee and a piece of toast, she said goodbye to Elsa. “I’m sorry to leave,” Simone said. “I’m envious of Slash and Carrera.”
Elsa smiled. “Sometimes I feel like a third wheel.”
“Don’t say that,” Slash said as she put her arm around Elsa and kissed her cheek. “That’s stupid talk.”
Carrera chuckled. “We’re a three-legged stool, G-ma.”
Elsa laughed, then set her sights on Simone. “You better come back for out next family supper.”
“I’m sure she will,” Slash said. “If Luciano doesn’t invite her, I will.”
Simone thanked Carrera for his hospitality
“I’m sorry to lose you as a watcher, but you’re back where you belong,” Carrera said. “I’m here if you need anything.”
Slash grabbed her handbag, slid on her sunglasses. “Love you, husband.” She kissed Carrera goodbye.
“Love you more, babe.”
“Where are you two headed?” Elsa asked.
“Simone is training with the rescue team today,” Slash replied.
Elsa’s eyes lit up. “You are going to have so much fun, Simone.”
Simone smiled. “It’s been a while, so we’ll see how muchfunI have.”
“Will she be rappelling out of the helicopter?” Elsa asked Slash.
“No, she won’t,” Simone replied, and everyone laughed. “That’s definitely not happening today.”
Slash followed Simone home. She dropped her suitcase in the foyer, hurried back outside, and into Slash’s ALPHA SUV.
Simone’s phone buzzed with an incoming text and a shiver skirted down her spine.Be a boss lady.She glanced at the text from her brother, Gary, as Slash drove of the neighborhood.
Sis, we haven’t seen you in f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Come for dinner. You pick a night and I’ll make it work.
Relief washed over her and she replied.
Starting a new work project today. Let me get back to you.
Then, her relief was quickly replaced with dread. What if the person who sent the threatening text was watching her? She turned to check.
Slash pulled onto the main road. “Looking for a tail?”
“Yeah,” Simone replied.
“Rebel’s in the black SUV on our left,” Slash explained. “His wife, Brit, is in the back seat with binos.”
“Wow, okay.”
“There’s another black SUV in front of us,” Slash continued. “That’s Dakota and Providence. She’s driving. He’s lookout. Prescott—he’s on the rescue team—is driving his SUV, and his sister-in-law, Addison, is his lookout. She’s an ALPHA Op and also on the rescue team. They’re behind us. And if that’s not enough protection, Hawk is flying an ALPHA helo for aerial surveillance, and Cooper’s with him. Hawk and Prescott are brothers, and Hawk is married to Addison.”
