Page 46 of Secret Weapon

“Point taken.The only ulterior motive was Bradley’s need to own every craft product ever made.I definitely didn’t intend to get my face smashed in.”

Now Alex studied her more closely.“I thought your nose looked different.”

Bradley had done a good job with contouring, and the bruises were well-hidden, but yes, the bridge was still fatter than it should have been.

“Yeah, well, now we know what we need to work on in the gym next week.”

“It was a headbutt?”

“Yes.”

“That’s twice in the last year.”

Really?Twice?Then Emmy clearly should have learned from the first experience.Sloppy work.Although I hadn’t exactly covered myself in glory either—by the end, I’d been a dying bug, stuck on my damn back as she squeezed the breath out of me.We both needed to train harder.

“What happened to the other person who broke your nose?”I asked.“Did you take him out for dinner too?”

“Not right away.I hired her first.”The waiter reappeared while I was still processing her words, and Emmy’s attention turned to a more important subject, to her at least.“Ah, tiramisu.My favourite.”

And then it was over.

The waitstaff cleared the table, Emmy picked up the whole check, which I hadn’t expected, and it was time for goodbyes in the parking lot.If you’d asked me earlier, I’d have said that seeing the back of Emmy’s gang would be a joyous occasion, but instead, I felt…kind of sad?Seeing Ana again after all these years, and Alexei… Reconnecting with that small part of my past had been weirdly pleasant.I’d been able to lay old ghosts to rest.

Ana wrapped her arms around me, and for the first time in years, I didn’t have to dodge a hug or plan it in advance because she was carrying as many weapons as me.A gun at the small of her back, a knife clipped to her belt, a small pouch that probably held paracord and syrettes and a comms system.My choices were much the same, except I’d ditched the comms system in favour of extra ammo.Who did I have to talk to these days?

I got another—more exuberant—hug from Bradley and a small wave from Hallie.I sensed she wasn’t sure quite what to make of me, so she’d decided to err on the side of caution.Smart choice.Alex kissed me on the cheek, one hand on my back, and that little touch shouldn’t have made me shiver inside, but it did.Underneath the hard shell, I was still human, and I’d thought about him more times than was healthy over the years.Wondered where he was, how he was doing.Whether he was still alive because Spetsnaz units had made a number of high-profile fuck-ups and not all of the operatives had walked away from them.But now I knew.Alex was alive and well and living in the US.

“It was good to see you again,” he murmured.“If you’re ever in Virginia, look me up.”

“But I don’t have your number.”

He stepped back.Smiled.“Check your pocket.”

“I’ll call you.”

Maybe.

A trip to Virginia was out of the question, though.I had a craft store to run.

Then it was Emmy’s turn, and she didn’t touch me.

“Well, I’d say it was good to meet you, but the jury’s still out on that one.”

“Likewise.”

“I’m sure you’ll be hearing from Bradley.Probably tomorrow morning, next week at the latest.”She glanced toward her SUV.“As long as Ana doesn’t murder him on the way back to the Peninsula.Hallie’s gonna have to sit in the middle and play referee.”

“Does Ana need a ride?My car’s empty, and I can drop her off at the gates.”

“Then why don’t you take Alex?That way, he can slide the front seat all the way back without kneecapping anyone, and I won’t need to listen to him bitching about legroom the whole way.”

Spend another hour with him?I figured I could cope, and now I felt like kissing Emmy after all.

“Sure, I can take Alex.”

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