Page 43 of Power
“Ralph the rat. Fattest damn rodent I’ve ever seen. Talk about a wide-load.”
Carrera laughed. “Thanks for the heads up.”
“It’s good to meet in person,” she said. “The job can get lonely.”
“For some, it’s a great gig, but for someone like you, it served a purpose.” He paused. “What does your therapist say?”
“I’ve been cleared to return.”
“Consider coming back, okay?”
Simone nodded. “Who would I talk to about that?”
“Do you know Cooper Grant or Providence Luck?”
“No.”
“They run ALPHA now. Slash or I can introduce you.”
“Gotcha,” she replied. “I’ll upload my files to the portal. Of the thirty I’ve been working, I’m sending you seventeen.” She logged into ALPHA, sent him her assessments.
“What about returning to the Bureau?” he asked.
“Why the push?”
Carrera stroked his beard. “Sometimes we have to confront our fears in order to get past them. From what Slash told me, you were a great Op. I’m concerned you’re using this job as a crutch.”
A myriad of emotions—sadness, guilt, anger—rushed over her. “Thanks for being direct.”
“I want what’s best for my employees,” he said. “Any questions or concerns for me?”
“Nothing.” She closed her laptop, slid it into her satchel.
“Thanks for your flexibility,” he said. “Appreciate you coming to the house.”
She smiled. “This is a much better deal for me. I get to hang with Slash.”
His warm smile touched his eyes. “Come over anytime.”
Tell him.
After a beat, she said, “There is one thing… Z had me watching Luciano.”
The lines between his brows deepened. “How long?”
“Six weeks.”
“Did you include that report?”
“No, it was off-the-books.”
“Whad’ya learn?” he asked trying to sound casual. But she was good at reading people. Carrera didn’t like that she’d been spying on his cousin.
Luciano’s strong, hard body flashed in her mind. The passion in his kiss, the way he tasted, how he undid her with very little effort. Shewantedto say, “He’s erotic, he’s intense, and he’s a god in bed.”
“Red?” Carrera asked, snapping her from her arousing thoughts.
“Nothing,” she replied. “I got nothing.”
