Page 12 of Covert Affair

Cole: She’s clean. But be careful. She’s a socialite that comes from poverty. Never know if she’s after a payday.

Stacey’s cell phone rings and she reaches in her clutch for it.

“Wait,” I bark. “Who is it?”

“Jane.”

“Answer it but put it on speaker,” I instruct and text Cole back.

Cody: Any idea what this reporter wants? What about Jane, the publicists? Clean?

Cole: Jane’s safe. Long history with Stacey, nothing out of place. As for the reporter, still not sure. He’s operating under a fake alias. We’re pulling everything we can about his real identity. You know we work fast, but this is going to take time.

“I leave you alone for one event, and you get in trouble. What is going on there?” Jane’s voice fills the limo.

Stacey shoots me a look, unsure of what to say. I hold out my hand, silently asking for the phone.

“Jane, this is Cody. I’ve got your girl, and we’re doing all we can to keep her safe.” I tell her confidently.

“This is a PR nightmare. That’s not what I’m worried about though. All I know is that I’m in the dark and uh, well, some unpleasant messages are coming through Stacey’s website from an unknown source.”

Great. This keeps getting better.

“Can you forward those messages to Cole? Actually, do one better, give him a call. He’ll get the IT guys on it.”

“I’ll call him now. One of you better keep me updated,” Jane demands.

Stacey laughs nervously. “I’ll make sure you’re in the loop. Try not to stress too much; it’s not good for the baby.”

“Oh don’t worry. The man of the house is already staring me down and making sure I stay calm. Let me get this info to Cole. Talk soon,” Jane hangs up.

Looking around the limo, I make eye contact with everyone. “Until we know who we can trust, no one in this limo is to give information to anyone. Bonita, Grady, Stacey – you all need to give up your cell phones so we can monitor them. Grady, any idea if you’re getting hate mail too?”

“Ricardo runs all that, I’m surprised he hasn’t phoned by now.” Grady answers.

“I’ll handle it,” Robert volunteers while three unhappy people hand over their devices.

7

CODY

Lucky for me,I was able to sneak out of the cabin for a few hours. Hiding in plain sight and all that bullshit. It wasn’t much but it was enough to at least clear my head for a little bit before I had to go back and deal with being in close confines with Stacey all over again.

I should have said no last night when she asked me to stay with her. Instead, I sat in that uncomfortable chaise lounge all night. Watching her toss and turn, and whimper in her sleep. Letting my mind run wild, envisioning that it was me making her whimper and moan.

Christ, at one point I think I even imagined her whispering my name.

Now here I am sitting across from her while she eats a slice of pizza like her life depends on it and wishing I was that slice of pizza.

What the fuck has my life come to?

“What do you know about a guy named Antonio Alveraz?” I ask Stacey as she pops another bite of pizza in her mouth and moans.

She shrugs, “Never heard of him. Should I know who he is?”

The fact that his name doesn’t ring a bell is mildly comforting, but this guy is still up to no good.

“He’s the guy we’re looking for.” I tell her.

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