Page 75 of The Art of You

“Maybe this helps rule out the idea you have a stalker, at least,” Alessandro commented, letting go of a relieved sigh.

“I mean, a girl can hope, right?” I went over to the Nespresso machine, trying to pull off nonchalant in all of this when I was still, in fact, very “chalant.” That was definitely a word, right? “What if Clarke’s been keeping tabs on your father for a while, looking to nail him on something?” I faced Hudson again. “He could’ve gotten wind of Lola’s roommate reporting her missing, and that the ambassador denied she’d been taken days before the party.”

“Then he found out I was suddenly attending an event with the ambassador, and since it seems he’s privy to our extracurricular activities, he assumed I was going to rescue her daughter.” Hudson set down his coffee, hands going on each side of the mug.

“Clarke was probably planning to expose our side gig whether we failed or not,” Constantine said in a low voice. “But things didn’t go as he expected, so he had Kit run with that story.”

“Because the CIA hijacked the case from the FBI yesterday,” Alessandro added. “And now Seth’s pissed at Clarke, worried the headline will fall back on him as the source of the leak.”

“I didn’t think it was Alfie behind the photo and story.” Hudson shook his head. “But the fact Clarke had access to the AAR involving that op, not to mention I could’ve sworn I sawAlfie at the party, still doesn’t sit well with me. I think we’re missing something. There has to be more to the story.”

“You think Clarke reached out to Alfie after reading the AAR? Maybe he got Alfie on his side, encouraging him to help take you down?” Alessandro’s accusation had Hudson reaching for his coffee again.

“I don’t know what to think anymore.” Hudson looked over at me, frowning.

“What we need to do is talk to this homeless guy again. Get him clean. See if he can pinpoint any of our suspects as the one who paid him to be the delivery man,” Alessandro said.

“We’re still going to help sober him up in a non-kidnappy way, right?” Enzo asked him.

Alessandro looked over his shoulder as if checking for Callie. “Do what you have to do for expediency’s sake. But you know, the safe way.” He scratched his stubbled jawline. “Civil, I suppose.” He was turning a leaf, so it would seem.

And if my brothers could change and be slightly less morally gray to make their wives happy, then Hudson could be . . . well, I just wanted him to be happy. Happy and with me, preferably.

“Yeah, okay. As soon as the governor shows up and shares his news, I’ll hop on his helo back with him to the city. Whether he wants me to or not,” Enzo remarked.

“I also woke up Adelina an hour ago and asked her to see what she could find out about this Seth Maverick guy.” Constantine finally joined in on the conversation, but he didn’t budge from his place by the window.

“You two are getting quite comfortable, huh?” Alessandro’s joke earned him Constantine’s scowl. Better him getting that look than me.

Forgetting I’d started the coffee machine, I blinked in realization the cup was full. Talk about a metaphor I could use inmy life right now. Not even half full. Just brimming with goodness.Please, please let that happen soon. For all of us.

I rounded the counter and brought my brother the peace offering.

Constantine stared down at the mug, and I hadn’t realized I’d chosen one that saidDisney Princesson it. The corner of his lip hitched. Watching him fight that smile gave me hope.

He went to accept the mug, then stopped himself when his phone rang. “It’s Adelina, she must have something,” he announced.

I set the cup in front of him and went back to the machine to finally get my own drink.

“Hey, we’re all here,” Constantine told her. “Putting you on speaker. What’d you learn?”

“Morning,” Adelina greeted. “Well, I’ve discovered it’s a really small world.”

“Why do you say that?” I asked, going for a mug from the shelf. I chose the one that hadNAVYon the side. If Constantine was going to be a princess, I could be the sailor today. At least I never lost my sense of humor, even in the face of all of our problems.

“Seth Maverick’s ex-wife is Sydney Archer-Hawkins, and Sydney works for Falcon Falls Security, which is where my twin sister, Mya, works.”

The mug fell from my hand at Adelina’s words, crashing to my bare feet and shattering.

“Don’t cut yourself, dammit.” Hudson to the rescue without missing a beat. He rounded the breakfast bar, skipping right by Constantine to bend down before me and pick up the broken pieces.

I squatted in front of him, our eyes meeting. “Did she say Falcon? And, um, sister? I thought her twin was missing.” It took me a second to notice I’d mouthed my words to him.

Hudson nodded, continuing to pick up all the pieces of my reaction. I assumed that was a yes to both my questions. “She’s alive. I just found out yesterday morning. I meant to tell you.”

“You lost your twin sister?” Enzo’s voice was low-pitched and grave. I forgot he was more than likely not-in-the-know on Adelina’s past.

“I did. She was taken when we were three, but she’s alive. I only recently found out. She’s in Italy right now, but she works with an American security company in a similar line of work as you do. So, that’s what I meant by small world.”

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