Page 5 of Wired Strong

“I hesitate to ask this, Master, but—I had hoped, for Sophie’s sake, that Pim Wat would be different after you rescued her and she healed with you on your island. But the things Kupa tells me indicate that her basic nature is—intact.”

The Master gazed at him, unwavering. Connor felt the power and weight of that gaze. “Pim Wat is who she is. I love her for her extremity, for her dangerousness, for how, as the years have gone by, she remains true to herself and becomes more and more of her essence. I would never try to change her, nor anyone. Have you not learned that yet?”

Connor blinked.

That statement was true. The Master nurtured and shaped what already existed in a person’s character. He had done that with Connor himself. “But I don’t understand how you can love someone who is—so cruel.”

“Acceptance is a form of power,” the Master said. “Maybe someday you will understand that Pim Wat is a part of the duality of all things. Without darkness, where would the light be? How would it exist?” He took a sip of his tea. “Stay where you are on that column for three more hours, and think on these things.”

“Yes, Master,” Connor said, and shut his eyes.

Chapter Four

Sophie

That evening,after working through Alika’s computer issue at the gym and slipping past Marcella to go home and change, Sophie slid into the padded leather booth at her father’s club. She settled herself across from the ambassador and accepted a large wooden menu with the specials of the day clipped onto it. “You always want to eat here, Dad.”

Frank Smithson smiled, removing reading glasses from a pocket on his tailored summer-weight jacket to examine his menu. “There’s always a table waiting for me, you can’t beat the food, and we don’t have to worry about privacy.”

“Good reasons. We’re a bit overdue for a catch-up, and there’s always something classified to discuss.” Sophie took a moment to appraise her father. He was looking dapper as always, though a bit tired around the eyes from being in Washington until this week. “I’m glad you’re back in the Islands.”

“Only for a month or so, alas. So much for retirement.”

Frank always complained, but continued to answer the call of duty when it came. He’d never really retire if he could help it—he loved his work as much as she loved hers.

The waiter approached. “Good evening, Ambassador. And who is this lovely lady?”

“My daughter, Sophie. Sophie, this is Jack.”

Jack.The name was way too close to her fiancé’s. Sophie suppressed the twinge of grief any such reminder brought. “Good to meet you, Jack. Can I get a virgin Blue Hawaii?”

“Sure. And for you, sir?”

Her father ordered a dry martini with a twist.

Frank raised his brows as the waiter walked away. “Since when do you order one of those awful drinks without even the benefit of booze?”

“The Blue Hawaii is my favorite. I don’t care how silly it is.” Sophie took a deep breath, let it out, and met her father’s gaze squarely. “And I’m not drinking alcohol because I’m pregnant.”

Her father’s eyes widened. “Oh, my dear.”

Sophie’s hand shook as she reached for her glass of water. “At least you didn’t say ‘Oh no, not again!’ I’ve already had that once, today.” She took a steadying sip. “I’m twelve weeks along. Jake is the father.”

“What a blessing to come from tragedy.” Frank reached over to cover Sophie’s hand where it rested on the table. The deliberateness with which her father spoke told Sophie that his words were thoughtfully considered—but she loved him the more for his kind diplomacy.

“Thanks, Dad. That is what I have been telling myself.” Sophie liked the rich chocolate of his skin against the tawny gold of hers, as she always had.What color would her child add to this mix of shades?She turned her hand over to clasp his. “Of course, it wasn’t planned, but I’ve come to be happy about it.”

Frank leaned forward. “How could I be anything but happy for another grandchild? Momi was a surprise, and she’s been the best thing to happen in this family since you brought home Ginger.”

“You just compared my daughter to a dog, but I appreciate the sentiment.” Sophie was able to smile, and so was he.

Jack delivered their drinks and took their dinner orders. When he left, Frank lifted his martini toward Sophie’s large, bright blue, umbrella-decorated glass. “To delightful surprises.” They chimed the rims of their drinks and sipped.

“That wasn’t the other only bit of private news I needed to discuss with you, Dad.” Sophie set her glass down.

Her father cupped his cheeks with his hands in a mockScreamface. “Not sure my heart can take any more.”

As far as Sophie knew, the ambassador was aware that the CIA had tried to recruit her a few years ago to spy on her mother, when they’d both discovered that Pim Wat was an operative for the clandestine Thai espionage organization, the Yam Khûmk?n. He didn’t know anything more, and she’d tried hard to keep it that way. Until now.

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