Page 55 of The Twilight Theft

“I’m sorry, sir, but”—he gestured to the menu Emmett was hiding behind—“we don’t have that variety. Is there something else I can interest you in? A Chianti, perhaps?”

A dozen tables beyond the server, Wyatt leaned forward, and Jayce canted her head. A subtle move that exposed her neck. She was flirting, whether intentional or not.

“Tell Luca the wine’s for Drew,” I said.

The server nodded, took Emmett and Rav’s orders for scotch and water, respectively, and left.

Emmett put the menu down in front of himself. “Any chance you want to tell me what happened between you and Jayce?”

Of all the directions I expected my quiet evening to go, this was probably the last one. “If I knew, I wouldn’t tell you, anyway.”

“Well, that’s a plus. At least you realizesomethinghappened.”

“She’s difficult to work with.” That was true before yesterday, so it was a safe point of contention to share.

Rav grunted. “All the women on our team are. Women as strong and capable as our teammates often make men feel inadequate.”

“That sounds like an insult.” Although possibly true. “Trust me, I’ve worked with more than enough women who know how to wrap people around their little fingers.”

Emmett considered for a moment. “Then you should be perfectly comfortable working with Jayce. And yet the two of you are like oil and water.”

“She’s irresponsible, reckless, and doesn’t listen.”

Rav leaned in closer, a snarl nearly forming on his lips. “She knows when to take the right risks. She reacts faster than any of us do and always moves at the right time.”

He may not have been on our last job, but was that a dig? Jayce had complained when I stopped her from running headlong into someone who would have had us arrested. She thought her speed and agility made her a ghost—it didn’t.

“She doesn’t know how to keep her opinions to herself.”

“This is true.” Emmett put a hand on Rav’s arm and the big man eased back. “I don’t know about you, but there are days I think I’ve heard more than enough lies. I appreciate the fact she doesn’t know how to insert a filter between her brain and her mouth.”

“She doesn’t know how to insert a filter between her mouth and anything.” Whether that was between her brain and her mouth or food and her mouth.

Her mouth.

I was so irritated with her. So why was the soft touch of her lips against mine flashing through my memory? Jayce had made it abundantly clear she wanted nothing to do with me.

“And yet,” said Emmett, “when Scarlett and I showed up at your place, you were preparing a feast so she could concentrate.”

“I know how to handle a source.”

Rav stood from the table suddenly. “I’m stepping outside before I break something.”

As the Reynolds security specialist marched out of the restaurant, many gazes followed him.

“He means you, in case that wasn’t clear.” Emmett sighed. “Looks like you’ve alienated half our team a whole twenty-four hours before the gala.”

“Making friends isn’t the priority.”

“Being convincing partners tomorrow night will be.”

The server arrived with a special large-bowled glass and presented the bottle. We went through the ritual of presentation and opening the bottle, and he poured me a taste. I inhaled the rich scent and took a sip.

One of the muscles in my body unclenched.

I nodded to the server, who poured my glass and left once the other drinks were on the table. Once he was gone, I said, “I understand the reason for teaming up, but why bother with the undercover act? Half the city’s elite know the Bishop team.”

Emmett rested an elbow on the table and leaned his hand against his fist. “But they don’t know us. That’s why Craig will be in the manager’s room and we’re splitting the three of you up. Some people might figure out something’s going on. If they do, they’ll spend all night trying to figure out who hired you and what for.”

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