Page 168 of Dark Angel
“Yes. I couldn’t remember where you were.”
“Don’t you have my schedule onyourlaptop?”
“You never gave it to me.”
If he knew she’d gotten in, it was all over.
She could hear her heart beating in her ears. Loud and strong and too damn fast. His death stare was creeping her out, but she said nothing more. To continue would be a sure sign she was covering.
“Minka, I mentioned a very critical assignment, but if you aren’t at top of your game, I will assign to someone else.”
“Sir, whatever you think is best. I’m here to make your job easier.”
After too many seconds, he said, “I’ll discuss with Petrov.” He stood and walked out.
Too close.
She eased down at her desk, breathed deep.
You cannot crash and burn. Not now… not ever. Get it together.
She worked the rest of the afternoon without another incident, but she was eager to pass along the thumb drive to Evangeline and remove the rubber finger from her crossbody bag.
At the end of the day, she left. Instead of returning to Hotel Dillinger, she walked to the dingy apartment she was supposed to be staying in. It took her all of five minutes to deduce someone else had been there. Had they hidden a micro camera? In order to find it, she’d have to tear the furnished apartment apart.
That’s not happening.
If someone had set up a camera, they knew she hadn’t been staying there. Did they know where shehadbeen staying?
The lights in her apartment flickered, then went out. A chill swept through her.
Another blackout?
Plunged into darkness, she wished she had the pistol Sin and Evangeline had given her, but she’d left it in the hotel safe. After turning on her phone light, she left the apartment, rushed down the dark hallway, and outside.
The city had been plunged into darkness.
Relieved the blackout was bigger than her tiny apartment, she called for a rideshare but got a message that the blackout had interfered with the company’s ability to transmit messages to its drivers.
She kicked up the pace, walking quickly toward the hotel.
As she passed others trying to navigate the darkness, she wondered if she’d compromised her assignment, or worse, put her life at risk. Even back on her home turf, she wasn’t safe.
I’m not safe anywhere. Not anymore.
GABRIEL
Gabriel landedat one in the morning, local time, walked outside, and was greeted by Carmelo, his Santini Spirits GM, and his bodyguard Diego.
He shook both men’s hands.
“I got your text.” Carmelo patted his chest. “I’m wearing it.”
Gabriel eyed Diego. “Body armor?”
“No, Boss, it’s back at the club.”
“If I tell you to wear it, you wear it, goddammit,” Gabriel snapped.
