Page 114 of Dark Angel
Halston Devereux was a challenge in every conceivable way. Gabriel leaned back, crossed his arms, and waited. He wanted answers and he wasn’t leaving until he got them.
She broke eye contact, but he could see her brilliant mind working. This was clearly a crossroads for her. Either she had to come clean or she needed to come up with a believable story… and fast.
Silence was a powerful tool, so he said nothing.
This was on her and he wasn’t letting her off the hook.
When she regarded him, there was a clarity in her eyes he’d never seen before.
“Okay, here we go.” Halston heaved in a breath. “I’m a double agent. I work at Langley, but my current handler is Evangeline. Initially, it was Caroline, then someone else. Last year, I was sent to Russia with a great legend and, through several connections, got hired to work for Yuri Bulgrov, the newly-appointed Russian Ambassador.”
He was surprised she was being so forthright, but hehadcalled her out on her breaking into his home.
“If anyone finds out I’ve told you, I’m fired. The Russians will kill me, so just know, I’m risking my life to tell you.”
There was a vulnerability in her eyes, but he wasn’t dropping his guard. “Understood.”
“I was sent to Russia because of chatter heard at NSA,” she continued, “and instructed to be aperfectRussian employee to gain Bulgrov’s trust. When he was appointed ambassador, he kept me on as his assistant and promoted me to lead translator. On my way back to the States, he gave me a job. I was to break into a villa in Milan and steal a thumb drive. As I’m sure you saw, I didn’t find it, so I failed at my first mission. I told Evangeline and I’m surprised you didn’t already know this. That ALPHA group travels more like a?—”
“Pod,” he said, finishing her sentence.
“Exactly. They’re like penguins huddling together for warmth in the dead of winter.”
Despite his anger, he chuffed out a laugh.
“I didn’t know who owned the villa and I don’t know why Bulgrov wanted the thumb drive. I met Pina, told her I’d been there with you, but you had to leave.” Another short pause. “I did take a minute to enjoy your villa. It’s really beautiful.”
Her work phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen and shuddered. “The first photo didn’t include his face. He figured he’d lure me with his missing front tooth.”
After a pause, Gabriel said, “I need to verify your story.”
Her blue orbs grew large, her eyebrows jutting into her forehead. “That’s not insulting or anything.” She crossed her arms. “My own mom and dad don’t know the full deets about my job, but you’re going toverifyme?”
Yes, she had a point, but if he was going to trust her—reallytrust her—he needed someone to vouch for her.
She grabbed a different phone, made a call, set the phone on the table. After several rings, Evangeline answered.
“You okay?” Her sleepy voice cut through the silence.
Halston glanced at the time. “Sorry to wake you on a holiday. Can you add Sin to the call?”
Seconds later, “I’m here Halston,” Sin said. “What’s going on?”
“Are you both there?” Halston asked.
“You got us,” Evangeline replied.
“I’m having a convo with your boy, Gabriel. He’s got issues with me, primarily because he saw video of me snooping in his Milan villa. While I put my career and my life on the line and told him more than I should, he’s not good with that, so if you could vouch for me, I’d appreciate it.”
Silence.
Thunderous silence at Halston’s biting tone.
Yes, he’d pissed women off by not calling them after a hookup, but the fury rolling off Halston was something altogether new. And arousing as hell. Since nowwasn’tthe time to make that known, he remained seated and crossed his legs.
“G,” Sin began, “Halston is the real deal. She’s put herself in a very dangerous position, which is why ALPHA pulled her from Langley. Pairing her with Evan was a smarter choice. Evangeline won’t let anything happen to her and anyone who crosses my wife will regret it, if they live long enough.”
“Halston didn’t know who you were when she went into your home,” Evangeline continued. “We were disappointed she didn’t find the drive, which would have lent credibility with Bulgrov, but we’re lucky to have her at all. She’s considered a lethal weapon in her own right.”
