Page 43 of Secret Weapon

Bitch.“Bradley understands how to be discreet, as does Hallie.I wouldn’t have told them otherwise.”

“Just making my position clear.”

“Trust me, it’s crystal.If you want to spend the rest of your life crocheting bath mats, none of us are gonna stop you.”

“Actually, a latch-hook design is much cosier.”She smacked her head.“What the fuck am I saying?”

“Darla doesn’t come with an off switch?”

“When you’ve lived as someone for so long, it can be hard to get out of character.”

“Yeah, well, take your shitty mood out on me, not my friends.Are you drinking tonight?”

When her eyes narrowed, I thought her charming disposition might make another appearance, but after a long second, she shook her head.

“Nyet, I’m driving.”

“Suit yourself.”

Where was Alex?I was starving, so maybe those of us present should order and I could just pick him out a nice steak, although if I did that, Sod’s Law would dictate the dish was on the charred side of well done by the time he showed up.What if I got dough balls to go with the antipasti while we waited?I’d earned my carbs today, and what my nutritionist didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him.Unless Alex arrived while I was stuffing my face and told tales because—

Oh, he was here.

“We saved you a seat.”Between Darya and Bradley, lucky guy.“How was the run?”

“Two hours ten.”

Faster than I thought.

“Nice.You’ve earned a big basket of dough balls.”

He didn’t bother to answer, just walked to the empty seat, and I knew he was cursing because he had his back to the door.Well, he should have arrived earlier.You snooze, you lose.

But then something weird happened.As he sat down, Darya looked up at him, and she actually smiled.

“Privyet, Alexei.”

Alexei?Yes, it was his name, but nobody called him that, not anymore.Not since he moved to the US.Most people assumed Alex was short for Alexander.Wait.Wait, wait, wait… Did Alex and Nine know each other?

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