Page 98 of Dark Angel
“Really, Sin?” Slash said. “You donotwant to go there.”
“I’m just sayin’,” Sin tossed back the rest of his whisky. “Carrera is an exec at the FBI?—”
Evangeline sidled close to her husband, “Baby, he and Slash were busy welcoming in the New Year early.”
“You gotta have every damn thing explained to you?” Carrera bit out.
Sin flicked his attention to Slash who shook her head at him.
“My bad,” Sin said.
“Some people celebrate beforeandafter,” Caroline chimed in, and everyone laughed.
Carrera stepped away to call the Director back.
“Kathrine Austin and Stoni Alexander told me there had been blackouts in seven cities about two weeks ago,” Gabriel said. “Is this related?”
“No one knows,” Sin replied.
Carrera returned. “I’ve got a meeting in The Situation Room at the White House.”
“Because of these blackouts?” Sydney asked.
“It’s a concern,” Carrera replied before regarding his wife. “Babe, do you want to grab a ride home or can I drop you on the way?”
“I’ll leave with you,” Slash replied before she regarded Teddy and Sydney. “Great party. Thank you for hosting.”
Gabriel was ready to bolt, but he wasn’t leaving without Halston. Plus, he needed a ride.
Sin’s phone rang again. He answered. “Develin. Got it.” He hung up, turned to the group. “I’m heading to the White House.”
As the group got absorbed in too much talking about who was driving whom where, Gabriel pulled Halston aside.
“I’m out,” he murmured.
Halston glanced over his shoulder. “Maybe these blackouts are a bigger deal than we realize.”
“I don’t give a fuck if the lights are on or off,” Gabriel said.
Halston chuckled, then her smile fell away. Staring intently into his eyes, the energy turned frenzied. Like earlier, her breath hitched.
“I’m ready,” Halston said, “but I don’t want to insult my friends.”
Gabriel dropped a light kiss on her forehead. “I think they’ll get over it.”
“I need to put my wig on.”
“Why?”
“I’m Barbi, unless I’m at work.”
“Who are you there?”
She paused, her gaze breaking for a few seconds. He stayed silent hoping she’d confide in him.
“At the embassy, I’m Minka Kotov.”
He placed his fingers on her chin, tipped her gently toward him. “Thank you for trusting me.”
