Page 180 of Power
The picture went dark and Simone released a long exhale. “What a relief.”
“This is good,” Luciano said. “The Bomb Maker’s creating chaos, something he thrives on. Think about the mass bombings on those government buildings.”
“That sent the whole country into panic.”
“Anytime, he gets attention for something bomb-related, he feels empowered. We need to draw him out, let him think he’s winning. Then, once we know who it is, we take him out.”
“Sounds simple,” she said, “but we don’t have anything to go on.”
“We will,” he said. “Everything takes longer than we’d like, but we’ll get there.”
Simone regarded Luciano. He was the pillar of strength. He wasn’t worried, he felt no fear. He stayed in control, he stayedfocused, and he got the situation addressed and resolved in a matter of hours.
She dropped a light kiss on his lips. “Thank you for treating me with respect, despite my idiotic denial. I should have told you about the threat texts. Thank you for handling this and for insisting that I stay safe. I’m so used to keeping things bottled up, handling things on my own.” She kissed him again. “I’m so indebted to Z for the assignment.”
His smile sent a streak of energy powering through her. “Me too, babe, but please, Simone, no more secrets. We’re a team.”
He logged into a tracker site and clicked over to several active trackers, marking Cary Newburg as CN. “Anytime he goes anywhere, I’ll get notified.”
Her gaze dropped to the list of people he was tracking, then she circled back to the one he’d labeled SR. “Am I SR?”
“Yes.”
“Were you planning on removing the tracker from my vehicle?”
“I’d turned off the alerts, but based on what happened tonight, I’m reactivating it.”
“And I thought the damn chip in my neck was intrusive.”
“I had no idea who you were or why you were following me,” he said. “I had to protect myself.”
“I get it.”
“You’re not angry?”
“At you? Hell, no.” She stood, shot him a little smile. “I’m not completely stupid.”
He pushed out of his desk chair. “Time to sleep. We can get your clothes tomorrow.”
“Five years ago, I moved into this mansion for protection from The Bomb Maker. And here I am, hiding behind the iron gates all over again.”
“You’re not hiding. You’re staying alive. He found you. He knows you’re hunting him. I have no idea how he knows, but he does.” He ran the back of his hand over her cheek, dipped down and kissed her. “I need to know you’re safe. I can’t protect you unless you’re with me?—”
“Like twenty-four seven? That’s crazy.” Then, she realized what he’d been through, what he was still dealing with, and would always struggle with. “I’m sorry. I would love to stay here with you.”
“We’ll get whatever you need tomorrow. Maybe you’d consider some new clothes. A woman as stunning as you?—”
She pulled him into her arms, kissed him. “I love you. I don’t know what you’re doing with someone like me.”
“The same thing you’re doing with someone like me?—”
“You’re very wealthy, extremely successful?—”
“I’m surrounded by brilliant people who are very loyal. And now I can add you to my inner circle.”
“You’re so humble,” she whispered. “I’m not wealthy. I haven’t amassed the power you have.”
“You’re successful, you’re driven, you have smarts and intelligence. You’re well liked. You follow the rules a little too closely for me—” He winked— “but we can work on that.”
