Page 28 of Undercover Savior

“Perhaps after you’re settled, Ash, err, David can show you around the place,” said Tag.

While Sullivan appeared lost in thought, I doubted she’d missed this slip. It was the second in under a minute. How could three trained SIS agents, two of whom were assassins, no less, make such blunders? It was unfathomable.

“David? A moment?” said Con when Tag invited us inside.

“Go on. I’ll catch up,” I said, watching them walk away.

“You need to tell Sullivan you’re the Duke of Ashcroft. Her situation is precarious at best, and her intuition is razor-sharp. She’s already started to doubt if she can trust you, and it’s for all the wrong reasons.”

I respected Con’s opinion above most others. Some of his personal dealings bordered on nefarious, but as far as being a true friend, there were few better.

“I will.”

“When?” he pressed.

“Soon. I can’t say precisely.”

He smirked. “The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be. Now, on to another subject. Have you heard anything more from Typhon?”

“Only that you all suspect Periscope, and honestly, it’s the only thing that makes sense. Troubling as it is.”

“Have the two of you ever…?”

I looked at him with wide eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’ve taken a deeper look.”

Based on his tone, he’d found something concerning enough to warrant this conversation. “And?” I asked, following him when he walked farther away from where Tag had parked.

“She’s too efficient. Never a misstep.”

“Gus mentioned your recommendation that she be misled into thinking she’s in the clear.”

He nodded. “Precisely. The idea is to keep her on as your handler, albeit without any pending assignments. Instead, make the Weber investigation her focus.”

“As he also said.”

“I’ve already set tracking up.”

“Upon whose authority?”

Con looked away, which wasn’t like him.

“Whose?” I repeated.

“Both Viper’s and Typhon’s.”

“Without consulting me? Dammit, Blackmoor.”

“As a reminder, I do not work for you,Ashcroft.” It was typically only in anger that the three of us made use of our titles as lords.

“Considering I am responsible for Sullivan’s protection in this instance, I would be first in your chain of command.”

He raised a brow but didn’t challenge my statement even though it was inaccurate. The way he’d handled itwasaccording to protocol.

“Apologies,” I muttered.

“Accepted. This isn’t to usurp your authority, Ash. It’s about monitoring Periscope, who has raised concern for all of us.”

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