Page 162 of Bossy Hero

Mia straightens in her chair and looks to me for permission to answer. I give her a nod.

“I’m working on that. She’s the most risky target since she lives in Lenkov’s compound and is surrounded by his goons all the time. We’re hoping to work with the architect to draw her out, hopefully alone again, and then we can get some bugs on her, clone her phone, or whatever. So far, he hasn’t bitten at our attempts to arrange a meeting with her.”

“He still hasn’t agreed to meet us himself, right?” Kri asks me.

“Correct.”

Tomer and Klein field a few questions about surveillance gear and logistics. Game faces slip into place as the meeting winds down.

Klein closes his laptop and looks over at me. “Sounds like we’re all good to go, Boss. We got this.”

I stand and rap my knuckles on the table. Partly to adjourn the meeting and partly to honor theknock-on-woodtradition. “Time to get the fuck out there and see why these assholes are on the list. Be careful, team.”

“You too, Boss,” Kri offers, referring to my plan to force a meeting with the chief. That’ll likely happen tonight or tomorrow. I’m done waiting for him to return my calls.

As the crowd disperses, I attempt to zero in on the slight gnawing sensation below my chest.

It’s simple surveillance and a meeting with the chief. Why is my gut firing on that? What the fuck could possibly go wrong?

Shit. I can’t believe I thought those words.

Twice more, I knock on the table. Just in case.

Chapter28

Fuck you, Murphy

Maddie

Turns out, I’ve been spoiled by how seldom Alan goes out into the field. I’m used to worrying about my boys at work but far less about the man I love. The worst he could get is a paper cut or perhaps an ulcer.

All good things eventually come to an end.

Including the illusion of his safety.

So here I am in his office, doing the cliché damsel thing. You know the one? Where your romantic partner is going out for a seemingly mundane task and downplaying the risk to ease your fears. But you’re certain he’s full of bull. Part of you wants to beg him to stay, but the other half is all for insisting he bring you along so you can protect him. As if that’s a possibility.

Madness.

Grabbing him by the belt, I tug him close to me. “And you’re sure it isn’t dangerous?”

Alan shrugs. “No more so than the dozens of other times I’ve met with him.”

I cock my head to the side and arch a brow. “Except he doesn’t know you’re coming this time. And he’s been acting sketchy.”

“A mere formality, my love. Besides, Lionheart will have my back.”

I nibble my lip to stop myself from overtly pouting. “Which means I get to worry about you both.”

After the CPD police chief gave a series of iffy excuses to dodge Alan’s repeated meeting requests this week, the Redleg team decided to take matters into their own hands. Thus, Alan willconvenientlyshow up in the chief’s path this evening, somewhere between the police station and his home. Or wherever else the man happens to stop along the way. Leo will be lingering in the distance, staying out of view unless needed.

Andthatpart is exactly why I’m struggling to release Alan’s belt from my shaky grasp.

He cups my cheeks and lowers his face to mine. “Relax, Maddie. This is a minuscule risk. I’ll be back in two hours. Maybe less.”

My shoulders fall with my protracted exhale. “You better be or else. Now, kiss me and go before I change my mind about letting you leave.”

With an indulgent shake of his head, he claims my mouth, and I kiss the dang smirk right off his lips. He gently angles my head to the side, then drags his palms along my body.

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