Page 6 of Fatal Thrill
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Decision made,Jaya stood in the shadows of the building with the conservative sign that readRock Star Securityin fancy gold letters above the double glass doors. Shivering in her cruelty-free, fake leather boots and winter coat, she checked the time on her phone again. Sixa.m.
She hadn’t heard another peep from Jon since his text before midnight saying he was a shadow in the wind, and she was ready for someanswers.
She was also ten hours into sleep deprivation, and swaying slightly on her feet, but damn it, she couldn’t stop the freight trainnow.
The building wasn’t completely dark, but the headquarters of the exclusive, high-tech security company sat behind mirrored windows, locked doors, and nearly invisible cameras. She’d made a trip to the back entrance, finding the same setup there. The lone visible light on the second floor suggested someone was either an early riser or had worked all night, but no one answered her knocks or yells. There was no way in unless you wereinvited.
Jaya was about to get herself aninvitation.
The black SUV was a sleek monster, sliding up to the curb. The woman who emerged from the backseat wore a beautiful, red flyaway coat with a faux fur trimmed hood. The heels of her boots were at least four inches and her blond hair was professionally straightened and had a high shine, probably from a coating of Moroccanoil.
Beatrice. Jon’sboss.
She straightened her coat under the glow of a streetlight. The sun was just starting to say hello in the east and a few cars dotted the street, other early risers on their way towork.
The driver rushed around to the passenger side, seeming frustrated that his charge had not waited for him to open her door. This was Beatrice’s husband, Cal, another former SEAL who helped run the company. “Let me help you,” hesaid.
Beatrice was already reaching for something on the seat. Jaya expected a briefcase or tote bag to materialize, and was surprised tosee…
A carseat?
“I’ve got her,” the woman said, smiling down at what looked like nothing more than a pile of blankets but obviously held a baby. “Could you grab mybriefcase?”
Cal, a big, strapping guy with a serious case of the frownies, hurriedly reached in and produced a vintage Louis Vuitton bag, placing the strap over the woman’s shoulder. “Let’s get you twoinside.”
As he accompanied his wife, a soothing female voice suddenly spoke from overhead. “Good morning, B, and MissSloane.”
It was computerized, Jaya thought, coming from a hidden speaker. Either that, or the person manning the reception area had exceptional vocalquality.
“Good morning, Vesper,” Beatrice returned to the facelessvoice.
Vesper? The only time Jaya had heard that as a name was for Vesper Lind, the James Bond character in CasinoRoyale.
The glass doors swung open with a swish and Jaya took a deep breath and stepped out of the shadows. “Ms.Reese?”
Instantly, Cal went into bodyguard mode, stepping in front of Beatrice and their child, producing a mean-looking blackgun.
Which he pointed at Jaya’s face. “Stop rightthere.”
Jaya was no stranger to guns, unfortunately, but didn’t care for them being pointed at her. Annoyed, but not stupid, she raised her frozen, mittened hands to show she had no weapons, and said, “Take it easy there, Boba Fett. I’m looking for Jon Wolfe, not afight.”
“Put that thing away, Cal,” Beatrice said, putting a hand on his arm and forcing him to lower the weapon. “This is Jaya Hotti O’Sullivan. She’s not athreat.”
“You know who I am?” Jayasaid.
Beatrice gently pulled Cal beside her. “Sensors picked up your presence an hour ago and sent me your bio, Ms. O’Sullivan. I know who you are, and I’m sorry, but Mr. Wolfe is out of the country at this time. I’ll let him know you inquired afterhim.”
She turned to go and Jaya took a step closer. “Wait.” Her best friend, Shelby, had told Jaya all about Beatrice Reese. She was tough but fair, and she protected her security team the same way she did her young daughter—with the fierceness of a momma lion. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t an emergency. I need to talk to Jon as soon as possible, and I haven’t been able to reach him since lastnight.”
Beatrice stopped in the open doorway and eyed Jaya. “What kind ofemergency?”
Jaya shifted her weight from one cold foot to another, stomping a little to try and get the blood flowing in her frozen toes. “It’s a private matter. I’d rather notsay.”
Beatrice was unmoved. Maybe she’d heard similar lines before. “As I stated, I’ll let Jon know you need to speak withhim.”
“Please, ma’am.I—”
