Page 31 of Snow

Nova did everything she could to keep her eye roll in check. Of course, it would be him.

She glanced over at him, finding him already watching her from across the table with a look that practically screamed he didn’t think she belonged anywhere near this operation. It irritated her far more than it should have.

Still, she couldn’t deny a tiny spark of relief. If she was being sent to an isolated oil rig in the middle of the Gulf with strangers and potential dangers lurking in the shadows, there were certainly far worse people to be paired with than the tall, broad-shouldered man who looked like he could snap someone in half without breaking a sweat.

Nova tapped her finger against the table. She didn’t have to do this. She could say no, walk out, catch a flight back to Salt Lake City, and be back in her apartment before sundown. But if there was even a chance that something dangerous was happening and she could help stop it, she knew she wouldn’t be able to live with herself for turning her back on it.

With her decision made, she took a deep breath, then looked at Derek.

“I’ll do it.”

He smiled and nodded in respect. “Welcome to the team. Unofficially, of course.”

Nova arched a brow. “Unofficially? What does that make me,007 and three-quarters?”

Bear let out a low chuckle. “More like 007.5”

Nova laughed. But then she thought of something else. She looked at Mr. Silverman. “What about my firm? Do they know about any of this?”

“No. As far as they know, you’ll be working in our office. You’ll have cell service on the rig, and if anyone calls the office looking for you, I’ll provide the cover and relay any messages to you.”

“Okay. Is there anything that I need to prepare for besides what Mr. Silverman wants me to look at?” she asked, looking at Derek directly.

“If you have some time tomorrow, we can sit down and go through some things that I think would be beneficial to you.” He looked at Silverman. “Can we use this building?”

Mr. Silverman nodded. “It is yours for however long you need it.”

Derek nodded and then looked at Nova. “Does noon tomorrow work?”

“That works for me. And when do we leave for the rig?”

Derek looked at Mr. Silverman. “Monday afternoon, correct?”

Mr. Silverman nodded as he pushed his glasses up his nose. “Yes. I’ll have a car pick you up at the hotel and drive you to the helipad. Once I confirm the time, I’ll let you know.”

The thought of taking a helicopter made her stomach churn.

“For the acquisition, are there any specific files I should focus on?” Her question was directed at Mr. Silverman.

“I’ve already had my assistant email you a list of what to pull and look over. And if you have any issues or pushback from the rig supervisor, just call me.” He paused for a moment. “Nova, thank you again for understanding. And I’m sorry I wasn’t more transparent. But I assure you that this is needed for both the acquisition and, as the Commander said, national security.”

“There is no need to apologize. I get it.”

“You’re a good person, Nova,” he said, patting her shoulder.

Damn, she wished her dad were there to hear that.

“Don’t tell anyone that. It’ll ruin the cold image I made for myself in the courtroom,” she joked.

“My lips are sealed,” he chuckled as he stood up. “When you’re ready, Harry is outside and will drive you to your hotel. I also had my assistant send over some documents we received from Gulf Tide’s lawyers that I would like you to look over.”

“Sure. I’ll take a look at them tonight.”

“And again, if you have any questions or need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

She could tell the poor man seemed a little flustered. And he had a right to be. Hell, he was trying to purchase a company that was tied up in a government investigation that they didn’t even know about yet.

“If that is all, we will all regroup here tomorrow,” Derek announced.