Page 42 of Broken Promise
I traced under the surface of the desk, feeling for any grooves or cracks where something could be hidden. Nothing. I shook the mouse, but when the computer screen flared to life, it showed only the passcode screen. Well, it was worth a try. I could always hope that maybe he was an assassin with lax security standards at home.
There was another painting in here too. I didn’t recognize the artist this time. I quickly checked the shelves and the walls, then lastly looked for any levers or buttons in the frame of the painting. Nothing.
Sighing, I left the office and went back to my room.
I was just about to walk back out into the hallway when I heard Rafe’s voice. He must have come home. I had been listening for him, but the man moved like a cat. Maybe I should tie a bell around his dick. That way I’d know every time he was around.
Who was he talking to? Rafe didn’t seem to have many friends outside of his work and family.
Taking a chance, I crept closer to the door just in time to see Rafe appear at the entrance to the hallway.
He glanced around, eyes narrowed. Then took a step back to look in the kitchen.
He was looking for me, I realized.
I ducked back into my room and heard his murmurs as he walked by my room. He was making sure I didn’t overhear him. Which meant he was discussing something he didn’t want me to know about.
This was my chance. Now or never. It was either follow him or be stuck in this limbo.
I tiptoed after him.
* * *
Rafe
My phone started ringing while I was on the way home.
“What’s up, Noah?” I figured the other man had probably heard about my annoyance from Matthias by now.
“I meant to grab you before you left. We need your help investigating a potential new hire.”
That was news. I had no question about my place in the company. I was like a precision blade, used when needed. But I hadn’t been invited to participate in many other ways. Despite how things seemed, I was still getting back on even ground with Noah. We were still moving around each other, trying to figure out where the pieces fit in our new relationship. It was odd for me to be so uncertain around the man I’d taken under my wing a decade ago and trained from the ground up. But in the time I’d been gone, Noah had matured into the kind of strong leader I had always known he would be.
Which was why being asked for help meant more to me than Noah would ever know.
“Not sure what I can do, but whatever you need, you know I’m there,” I finally answered, hoping my rough voice didn’t betray the depth of feeling.
“This guy is former ORUS. Call signLynx. Did you know him?”
My brow furrowed as I thought back. I’d definitely never worked directly with the guy. Before taking any tandem assignment, I’d always memorized the file on the other agent, looking for vulnerabilities or weaknesses. I’d definitely remember if we’d worked together.
“I never worked with him. Although, that doesn’t mean I don’t have anything on him.”
Noah laughed. “Of course. Your file of secrets. I’d almost forgotten that you kept information on everyone. You always were a paranoid bastard.”
“It’s served me well. Let me take a look at what I have in my files. If he’s mentioned, even in a peripheral way, I’ll let you know.”
I pulled into the garage for my building and parked. I cradled my phone between my neck and my ear while grabbing the gym bag on the passenger seat.
“While you’re doing that, I wanted to ask about earlier. Matthias mentioned that you seemed less than happy to see Alan.”
Here we go, I thought. I should have known I hadn’t escaped Noah’s attention.
The guy had been a top ORUS operative for a reason.
“Yeah. The FBI has a different definition of retired than I do, apparently.” I opened the door to my apartment and dropped my bag by the door.
“Are they pressuring you to come back?”
