Page 45 of Undercover Savior

“Clive has years?—”

“Because of Clive Edwards, you almost lost your life, Sullivan. If you’re not clear on that fact, then I will rethink promoting you to his position. Thank God Ashcroft had the presence of mind to realize not all was as it seemed.”

“I know you’re right. It’s just harder to accept, given he’s my mother’s brother.”

“I understand.” She reached over and squeezed my hand. “I must say, from what I know so far, you and I are going to make a fantastic team.”

“You should know I’m not exactly well-liked in the department.”

She smiled more broadly. “No? Well, the same is true of me in the entirety of the news agency.”

“Ilike you.”

“And I like you. Which is precisely why I believe we’re going to bring this old boys’ network to its knees.”

“I hate to beat a dead horse, as they say, but you’ve just met me?—”

She held up a hand. “I didn’t need to meet you to recognize the caliber of your work.”

“I appreciate it.”

She looked around the room and rubbed her hands together. “Something tells me there’s a treasure trove of information contained within these walls. Perhaps even something that will help us with the evil Eric Weber.”

13

SAVIOR

While on the flight to Edinburgh, I mentally prepared myself for my conversation with Periscope. I had two objectives, but only one worth pursuing. First, I wanted to determine for myself if she’d received the instructions to order me to shoot Sullivan directly from Weber.

Second was to convince her she wasn’t a suspect, even though she was in custody. The idea that assigning the Tower-Meridian investigation to her would somehow lead us to Weber was ludicrous. Half of me had a mind to contact Typhon and tell him so.

I rested my head against the seat and glanced around the interior of the helicopter. Traveling to Edinburgh this way was a welcome luxury, one I could well afford but wouldn’t have considered if Con hadn’t made the suggestion.

Apart from the urgency of any given assignment, I was rarely in a hurry to get anywhere. Driving alone wasn’t different than any other aspect of the way I chose to live my life. Now, I couldn’t wait to return to Glenshadow and Sullivan.

Perhaps it would have been better to drive. I would have had time to sort through my feelings for her. And then what? I wasn’tlying when I said this thing between us was new for me. What good would overthinking it do?

There’d been women in my life, of course, but considering my line of work, I’d never been in a relationship. It wouldn’t have been possible unless it was with someone either in MI6 or Unit 23 who already knew I was an assassin. While it was common among my fellow agents to have affairs and even marry, there wasn’t anyone I worked with who I wanted to have a drink with, let alone shag.

With Sullivan, I wanted her in every way—in my bed and in my life. I’d be happy just having her in my arms. I closed my eyes, reliving every moment of the morning, from giving her the cold shoulder to knowing I couldn’t leave Glenshadow without attempting to make things right between us. Not that I had done. At least not entirely.

All too soon, yet not soon enough, I felt our descent and rolled my shoulders, dreading the conversation ahead and knowing I couldn’t be benevolent toward Periscope. Assassins weren’t empathetic. At least none I knew.

“Typhon? I didn’t expect to see you,” I said after coming inside from the helipad and finding him leaning up against the wall.

“I’ve not much time,” he said as we approached the building’s security checkpoint. “By the way, we’re on high-alert protocol.”

“Right, err…” I scrunched my eyes. “Why are you here?” I asked once I’d surrendered my weapons.

“Periscope.”

If he were taking the meeting in my place, I’d be greatly relieved. However, I doubted that was the case.

“I’ll observe. Let’s get this over with.”

“Yes, sir.”

I followed him to the lift, up a floor, then down the hall to an interview room I’d not previously been in.

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