Page 38 of Stealthy Seduction
He found the source of the tension in Con’s office.
Through the partially open door, he could see Izzy seated across from his CO, her posture straight and professional despite the early hour. She’d dressed in some clothes one of the ladies must have loaned her—dark jeans and a sweater that made her look somehow more vulnerable than the polished journalist he’d first met.
But it was the phone in her hand that made his blood run cold.
“I understand your concerns, Rick, but I’m fine,” she was saying, her voice carrying that calm authority he recognized from her television work. “The story is solid. More solid than anything we’ve had in months.”
Rick. Her boss.
Con sat behind his desk, his expression unreadable as he monitored the call.
“What’s going on?” Steele demanded, stepping fully into the room.
Izzy whipped around, her gaze locking on him. “Rick, could I ask you to hold for a moment? Thank you.”
Con immediately leaned forward and hit a button on his desk console. Then looked up at Steele with the kind of measured expression that meant he was about to deliver news Steele wouldn’t like.
“Izzy needs to check in with her boss at the station. I told her it was happening here, in a controlled environment where we can monitor the conversation.”
Steele’s gaze shifted to Izzy, taking in the determined set of her jaw. He glanced down at her hand resting in her lap. Her thumb wasn’t tucked in. No nervous tell.
His gaze flashed back to hers. “Check in about what?”
Before Izzy could respond, Con cut in. “She’s going back to work.”
“Like hell,” he barked out.
“Hudson, this is important.” She tilted her jaw in a small show of defiance.
“It’s important to keep you alive. You came here to let us protect you.”
“I want to do my part. If I can draw out the people who shot Drysdale—”
The words hit Steele like a physical blow. “Are you out of your goddamn mind?”
“Hudson—” Izzy started.
“You’re using her as bait.” He turned his attention to Con with the kind of flat stare that made his enemies reconsider their life choices. “That’s what this is, isn’t it? You want to dangle her out there and see who comes hunting.”
Who, being Cipher. Which Izzy didn’t know.
Con’s expression didn’t change. “It’s a calculated risk—”
“Calculated?”Steele’s voice rose despite his efforts to keep it level. “Her contact was killedright in front of her. What part of that says ‘safe operation’ to you?”
“Which is why she’ll have full tactical support.” Con returned his flat stare. “She’ll have audio surveillance, tracking devices and backup. She won’t be alone.”
“She won’t be alone because she won’t be doing this at all.”
The words came out with more authority than Steele had intended, and he caught the flash of something—surprise? anger?—that crossed Izzy’s face. He didn’t even dare look at hiscommanding officer after challenging his order for the second time.
Izzy scooted to the edge of her chair. “I’m a grown woman perfectly capable of making my own decisions about my career and my safety.”
“Your safety is what I’m talking about—”
“Enough.” The command in Con’s voice cut through the mounting tension. “Steele, if you can’t handle this professionally, then step outside while we finish the call.”
The dismissal stung, but Steele recognized the ultimatum for what it was. He could either be part of the solution or get kicked out of the room while they made decisions without him.
