Page 68 of Forbidden Access

“Mr. Clayton, if you’ll come with us.”

He didn’t resist, and Thorn’s heart clenched with the weight of what was coming next. She knew the drill.

The FBI would take him into custody, not as a suspect, but as a critical asset. Damian’s help was essential in unmasking Lydian’s more infamous users—criminals, terrorists, people who had been hiding behind the cryptocurrency’s shield of anonymity for far too long. Alek Markov was now the FBI’s Most Wanted, and Damian was their key to bringing him down.

Thorn watched as he was led away, the media descending like vultures, microphones thrust forward, eager for a statement.

“Mr. Clayton, how do you see the changes you’ve announced today influencing the industry in general?”

“Damian, will Lydian survive this shock announcement?”

The frenzy had begun.

Thorn was grateful that the focus was on the upgrade, on the future of Lydian, rather than the drama that had unfolded only a week ago with their spontaneous wedding. But as much as she wanted to go to him, she held back.

It wasn’t their time. Yet.

As he disappeared into the crowd of agents and reporters, Pat tapped her on the shoulder, breaking her out of her thoughts. “Debrief. Let’s go.”

She nodded, casting one last lingering look at the man she loved before following her boss into the hallway.

She wouldn’t get a chance to talk to Damian until after the FBI were done with him, and that could take days, if not weeks. The Feds were taking him to Washington, D.C., which was fine—Blackthorn Security was based there too, close to the halls of power. But the separation gnawed at her, the uncertainty of when she’d see him again.

The debrief was over quickly, Pat running through the key points with military precision, before dismissing them for some personal time. They were due back at the office in D.C. on Monday, but for now, they had a few hours to themselves.

Thorn headed up to her room to collect her stuff when Hawk sidled up to her, his expression casual but his eyes sharp.

“So, when are you going to see Clayton again?”

She glanced sideways at him, playing it cool. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Come on. I saw the way you two were looking at each other. That kiss? The one in the wedding photo? Phew!” He fanned himself.

“Oh, that.”

“Yeah, that.”

“It was nothing,” she said, but even to her own ears, it sounded weak, unconvincing.

Hawk smirked. “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, Thorn. I can see what’s happening here. You’ve fallen for him big time, haven’t you?”

Her heart skipped a beat. Was she that transparent? The thought sent a ripple of unease through her. She was supposed to be a professional, supposed to keep her emotions in check. “That’s bullshit,” she replied, but her laugh was uneasy, forced.

“You should go to him.”

She sighed, rubbing her temples. There was no point in denying it. Hawk had her pegged.

“I can’t, he’s in custody.” Then, after a beat, “Does Pat know?” Somehow, her boss saw everything. He was like some omniscient being who knew exactly what was going on with all his operatives, even the new ones.

“He suspects, I think, but I haven’t said anything.”

“Thank you,” she breathed, relief flooding through her. “I don’t want to get into trouble. This is my first assignment for the agency.”

“You won’t. My lips are sealed.”

She shot him a grateful grin before heading back to her room. But the thought of Damian being in custody, away from her, dragged her down. She was due back at work on Monday, and he’d be tied up with the FBI for the foreseeable future. After that, he’d probably go back to his mansion in San Francisco.

How would they ever find the time to see each other?

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