Page 83 of The Spy Ring

How did he know I was here? Then I remembered that he still worked for ITA. I’m sure I was being followed from the moment I left that job.

“I’ll be right there.”

I ended the call, shoved the phone back into my pocket, and made my way toward the front door. As I passed one of the tables, I felt something sharp dig into my ass. Turning, I noticed Morgana’s grandmother smirk at me.

“I had to check to see if the buns were warm.” She winked.

The only reason the woman was getting away with that was because she’s related to the bride.

I picked up my pace to get to Tenn quickly and away from lecherous hands. He was just on the other side of the building, leaning against the brick.

“She’s here,” Tenn said.

I turned around in a circle taking in our surroundings. “Where?”

“No, in the city. I thought Emma would have left Chicago. I’m surprised she didn’t leave the country, but she’s here.”

“Why would she stay here?”

Tenn’s jaw tightened.

“What aren’t you telling me, Tenn?”

My throat tensed, my hands fisted, and I knew what Tenn was about to share wasn’t going to put a smile on my face.

“She mentioned, when I asked her a few questions last week, something about a wedding. I thought she was talking about how she tried to force her son to marry that the Dorton woman. But, I think she might be talking about Payne’s wedding.” He pointed at the brick wall that separated us from the rehearsal dinner party inside.

Rubbing my forehead, I fought like hell to stop myself from punching that brick wall. Because that would be stupid, not to mention it would require a trip to the emergency room. But I felt like being stupid. I wanted to run around the city like a madman and search every crevasse for the deranged Emma Hawthorne.

“The venue will have to be changed,” I said as I lowered my hands and leaned against the wall.

“Can you make that happen in such a short period of time?” Tenn crossed his arms, challenging me.

I may be a disgraced ex-agent, but I could still help take down a wanted criminal.

“Of course. I’ll go back inside and get Henrik. He may not like this, but I don’t think he would want to endanger his guests. It’s either that or cancel the wedding.”

My heart hammered in my ears, and I tried to suppress the bubbling excitement from showing on my face as I asked Henrik to follow me outside. This felt like old times. Perhaps I gave up the spy thing too easily. Maybe walking away from it for a short time was just what I needed.

“Where are you two going?” I heard Tiffany’s voice from behind me.

Turning, I remembered why I wanted to stay away from the government. The one thing that was always missing from my life and made each day harder to do without was love.

I was lost in a sea of adventure. That can be dazzling although it can’t last. But Tiffany? She would always be in my heart.

“I need to discuss the wedding tomorrow with Henrik, outside,” I said and turned to go.

It wasn’t until we were on the sidewalk that I realized Tiffany had followed me.

“I need to discuss this alone with Henrik.”

Totally ignoring me, Tiffany pointed at Tenn. “Who’s that?”

“My old partner. He has news about Emma. I’m afraid we need to discuss this—” I threw my arms in the air as I wondered why I even bothered to open my mouth.

Tiffany walked around me and stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Tiffany.”

“Hello, Tiffany. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Tenn. I used to work with Jagger.”