Page 87 of Stealth Mission

I’ve never been punched in the gut, but I have a feeling this is what it feels like.

Something came up.

My blood starts to boil. “I’m sorry, but that’s not possible. I need to speak to him about the loan I’ve applied for. I’m supposed to find out about the application.”

She compresses her lips into a flat purple. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything about your loan.”

My hand tightens around the strap of my bag as I search for patience that I lost a long time ago.

Months ago, actually.

“Is there someone else who can help me?”

She moves to her desk, and busies herself, tapping on her keyboard. “Mr. Reyes handles all of the loans.”

I stalk to stand in front of her desk, glaring down at her. “When will he be back?”

“He’s out for a lunch meeting now.”

I growl in a very unladylike way. Choking on the word. “Lunch.”

She smiles. Syrup sweet. But her eyes remain cold.

After forcing myself to draw in a breath that feels like razor blades, I speak in a low, angry voice. “He bailed on me because of lunch?”

“A very important meeting over lunch.”

I hear a sound come from my teeth. It’s them begging for mercy. “With Sylvester?”

She picks at her nail. “That’s bank business.”

Dammit. If I wasn’t a civil person I’d reach across the desk. “I need to know about my loan. It’s critical.”

She smiles coyly this time, raising her eyes to me. “I’m sorry, but I cannot discuss the business of Mr. Reyes or other clients. Now you need to move along, the bank lobby is closing for lunch.”

Chapter Thirty

I knew she was safe in the bank today, but I had to fight to keep myself from going inside. So when she steps out into the sunlight, I take a breath.

It only takes her a few seconds to spot me.

But relief is not what’s behind her frown.

Apprehension is tightening the lines of her pretty face as she walks down the sidewalk toward me. There’s even a flicker of fear behind her gaze when we meet in front of the barber shop.

“Did you follow me?”

“I came to make sure you were safe.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m concerned for you, Marianna. I care for you, Mari. I don’t like seeing you upset.”

She turns away, and starts walking. Shoving my hand in my pocket so I don’t reach for her, I hustle until I’m beside her.

She casts a jarring glance toward me. “You care, huh? Enough to not tell me your real name before youfucked me.”

The last two words are the hardest hits I’ve ever felt.

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