Page 61 of Operation Heartbeat

Worse were the questions lobbing through her mind—and the biggest blast was her growing feelings for a man she’d slept withonetime.

Okay, he was the first in a very long time. While it may seem like she’d hopped into bed, it wassouncharacteristic for her.

Men needed a place to have sex. Women needed a reason. What was hers?

City lights panned over his rugged face.

She liked him. A lot.

Much, much more than she should.

* * * * *

Con felt the shift in Sophie the minute it happened. She closed off, stopped talking. More uncharacteristic, she stopped asking questions.

He knew body language and he knew how people reacted to fear. He’d seen Sophie run the gamut tonight.

Mason pulled up in front of the hotel.

“Head back to the safe house.” Con climbed out of the car and drew Sophie to her feet.

“Copy.”

Before he closed the door, he ducked his head into the car. “Henner’s in command tonight. Keep me updated.”

“Got it.” Mason narrowed his eyes. “You’re not going back out there without one of us on your six, are you?”

“No.” He glanced over his shoulder at Sophie. “I have something else to take care of.”

Understanding filled Mason’s eyes. Con closed the door, and Mason drove away.

He led the way into the hotel, on alert for anything suspicious. Even though he had one hand securely on Sophie’s spine, it wasn’t enough protection in his eyes. She was worried. Scared.

Sophie didn’t utter a word until they reached their room and the door was closed.

She whirled to face him. “I think I’ve wasted enough time for one day. I need to get to work on that cryptogram.”

He gave a brief nod. “You’re right.”

Though he didn’t like the way she avoided his gaze, he didn’t press her to talk about their failed op tonight. She moved to the table and started up the laptop.

He watched her for a moment before going into the bedroom to shower and change. When he stepped out of the shower, he received a check-in from his team with an update on Deniz. The team had set up outside his residence, watching for anyone coming or going, but so far, all was silent.

Con told them to keep watch. Then he threw on a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt, worn to softness from so many washes.

A soft cry from the other room had him whipping open the door and rushing out. His gaze darted right and left in search of danger.

His stare landed on Sophie still seated at the table, tapping wildly on the keys. In two strides, he reached her side. “What happened?”

“I got it. I solved another. Con!” She spun to face him, her eyes huge. “I was able to take Bayar’s name and fit the letters into these spots. See?” She pointed at a B-A-Y-A-R in various locations in the encoded message.

He gaped at the screen. “What does the message mean?”

Her eyes sparked with excitement. “I did a brief search, nowhere near as deep as I need to in order to fully grasp the meaning, but I think it’s pointing to this.” She brought up a map on the screen.

Leaning in, he fixed his focus on the location of a place in New York City’s Chinatown. He jerked. “Bayard Street.”

She nodded emphatically. “I think it’s a target.”

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