Page 62 of Misdirection

Finally, she nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Jason opened the door, and she stepped inside ahead of him.

As soon as she did, a shadow appeared beside her.

Then a deep voice asked, “Why are you following me?”

CHAPTER 25

Olive’s heart lurched into her throat.

She looked up and saw Bennett standing beside her.

He’d just been waiting for her to step inside, hadn’t he? He’d known he was being followed.

It wasn’t every day she was taken by surprise. Her instincts were usually better. But being around Jason had thrown her off her game.

“What’s going on, Bennett?” Jason stepped forward as if he needed to protect Olive.

She appreciated the gesture, though it was unnecessary.

“Can’t a man go shopping on his break?” Irritation glimmered in Bennett’s gaze. “I know everyone is on edge after what happened to Ryan, but really . . .”

Olive glanced around the store, which smelled of linen and shoe polish. Several other customers milled around, and the two employees on the clock were occupied with them.

This conversation appeared to be private.

She glanced back at Bennett. “Are you sure you’re coming in here to shop for a suit? I thought your taste was a little more refined than this. Besides, this place caters to an older crowd.Your flavor of the month probably appreciates a more youthful appearance.”

His eyebrows barely flickered up as he registered surprise at her words.

She’d caught him.

Yet Bennett had also caught her.

“You followed me yesterday, and you’re following me today.” He stared her dead in the eye. “Why?”

She wanted to use her cover story, to deny his words. But she knew there was no need. She’d been spotted following him today, and Bennett had clearly seen her yesterday somehow also.

But she was good at her job. Good at not being spotted.

So how had he seen her?

“I want to know what you’re up to at Conglomerate.” Olive decided to go with the truth.

“WhatI’mup to?” His eyebrows rose as his eyes widened. “How about we start with the fact that you’re going to ruin everything.”

“How am I going to ruin anything?” Olive pointed at herself. “I’m merely doing my job and asking questions.”

“You and I both know there are rumors that certain technology developed by Conglomerate could be sold on the black market before it gets to our US buyers,” Bennett said.

Her heart leapt into her throat. She didn’t know if she should acknowledge his statement or not. That information was top secret.

Did Bennett suspect she was undercover? Or did he simply think she was doing her job—the job she’d been hired to do at Conglomerate?

She wasn’t sure.

“How am I going to ruin anything by following you?” Olive peered up at him, watching his every expression.

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