Page 72 of Dating Goals
“Excuse me?”
She glances around casually, then meets my eyes with sudden intensity. “Malcolm’s inner circle is gathering in the east wing library in twenty minutes. If you want in, you need to be there.”
My heart rate kicks up a notch. She must be one of the operatives Showalter mentioned. The agents did say they’d have people here, but they never mentioned who. I study her more carefully now, trying to determine if she’s legitimate.
“You’re with FIS?”
“Don’t worry,” she whispers. “We’re on the same team. Just keep acting natural.”
“I was told there would be agents here,” I say carefully.
“And here I am.” She takes a delicate sip of her negroni. “The question is, are you ready to do what needs to be done?”
I hesitate, looking around for Anika again. “I should wait for my date.”
Elodie’s perfectly manicured hand lands on my forearm. “Time is not a luxury we have, Mr. McGregor. Connectionsare being made as we speak. If you delay, you’ll miss your opportunity.”
But something feels off. Maybe it’s the way she’s looking at me, or maybe it’s just that Anika’s disappearance has me on edge.
“Malcolm doesn’t strike me as the type to just let a hockey player into his secret meetings,” I say.
“He’s not. But lucky for you, I can be quite persuasive.” She gestures to herself with a wry smile. “I can get you in. The rest is up to you.”
“I need to at least find my date first,” I say, standing up.
Elodie rises with me, her movements fluid and graceful. “Oh, I believe I saw her stepping outside for some air.”
That doesn’t sound like Anika. She was going to the bathroom, not the terrace.
“Don’t worry,” says Elodie, probably seeing the concern on my face. “See that man by the arching windows? The one with the gold-sequined suit jacket.”
“Unfortunately, yes.” What an eyesore.
“That’s Cain Fawkes. He’s Malcolm’s loyal attack dog. If we want to get into that private meeting, you need to make a good first impression.”
“I’ve never seen that man before in all my years with the Titans.”
Elodie arches a brow. “Trust me. His job has nothing to do with hockey.”
That thought is slightly unsettling, which means this Cain guy deals with Malcolm’s illegal business.
“And how do you suggest we butter him up? Or am I going to regret asking?”
Her grin turns a little witchy. “Oh, I’m way ahead of you. Come on. I’ll introduce you.”
“But…Anika”
“We need to move now. Unless you’re not as committed to this mission as your superiors suggested.”
That stings my pride a bit. “I’m committed. But I need to let my date know where I’m going.”
“No time,” she insists, her hand now resting on my forearm. “And no phones. Malcolm has signal jammers throughout the building. Old-school paranoia.”
I drain the last of my martini, still scanning the room for any sign of Anika. My gut is telling me to find her first, but my head is reminding me why we’re here. Get close to Malcolm. Find out what he’s up to.
“Five minutes,” I tell Elodie firmly. “I’ll give you five minutes, and then I’m finding my date.”
She smiles, victorious. “That’s all I need. Follow me.”
