Page 58 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

“It’s not like I haven’t seen her naked before,” Alex says, laughing.

“Alex!” Millie jumps between us. “Completely inappropriate.”

“Oh, I’m inappropriate, but he’s not?” He gestures toward me. Millie has her back pressed firmly against me—trying to hold me back. I’m not moving. He’s still trying to provoke me. It’s not going to work.

“That statement was inappropriate, Alex. Get yourself under control.” Millie looks up at me. “I’m changing in the bathroom. He will, too. No one is seeing anyone else naked.”

She disappears into the bathroom. I hear the door lock.

“We’re getting ready to leave for dinner,” Alex says, motioning me to the door.

“Great. I could use a bite to eat.” I hold up my hand to stop him from replying. “We’re not going to eat with you, but we are going to be there—within ten to twenty feet of you.”

“I don’t think that’s the best idea,” he says.

“Thanks for your input,” I say, turning around to go back in my room. “Bryce, you want to have dinner? Alex is buying.”

“Hell yes. I’m starving.”

I turn around as I start to close the adjoining door. “This door stays unlocked. If I try it and it’s locked, I will break it down. You understand?”

He glares at me. I close the door behind me and stand there, waiting to hear the sound of the door locking. He’s stupid enough to try it. I don’t hear it. He must be learning. I look at Ty and Butch. “After we leave, sweep both rooms for bugs and cameras. Look into Agent Laskin’s gear. Let me know what weapons he’s carrying. And jam some wire into that dead bolt to make sure he can’t lock it.”

“Roger that,” Butch says.

Millie is sitting alone at the table when we walk into the courtyard. She’s wearing a dark blue dress with what looks like glittery diamonds all over it. Her hair is flowing down her back and shining even brighter than the dress. If she wants people to notice her, mission accomplished. Every eye in the room is on her.

Alex is nowhere to be seen. I’m instantly pissed off. So much for him having her back. I ask the host to seat us at a table separated from her table only by a row of thick palm plants. Millie sees us walk to our table.

As we sit down, the waiter approaches her table and bows slightly. “Mrs. Laskin, welcome to the Serena. Is this your first time in Pakistan?”

“It is,” Millie says. “I hope to get out and explore. I’ve heard Islamabad is a beautiful city. My great-aunt was born in Pakistan.”

“Really? You have Pakistani blood?”

“No. She married my great-uncle—a Bosnian. One side of my family is Bosnian. The other is American.”

“Interesting. Does your aunt live in Pakistan now?”

“I really don’t know. I’ve lost touch with that side of my family. Her name is Azayiz Custovic. I’m not sure of her given last name—her Pakistani name. Custovic is her married name.”

Even with my obstructed view through the palms, I can clearly see the waiter should never play poker. Millie has to be catching the shock on his face. Alex walks up from behind the waiter and sits down. The waiter jumps slightly.

“I think my wife has enough water,” Alex says, gesturing to the water pitcher in the waiter’s hand.

“Yes, sir. Of course,” he says quickly. “Enjoy your meal.”

“What was that about?” Alex says as he watches the waiter walk away.

“Oh, just small talk about the city. I dropped Azayiz’s name. He didn’t bite,” she says.

Although her tone is smooth, I know she’s lying to him. I’ve seen her pick up almost undetectable facial tics when she’s interrogating someone. There’s no way she missed the waiter’s face when she said Azayiz’s name.

“Surely we’ll find someone at the hotel who knows her. Give it time. Let’s just enjoy our dinner. Have some wine. Talk about old times,” he says, reaching across the table to stroke her arm. “And maybe some new times . . .”

She pulls her arm back. “Alex. This is just an assignment. Purely professional. I know we both have roles to play, but let’s not get them confused with reality.”

He says something quietly to her that I can’t hear. She smiles at him, but I can tell she’s uncomfortable. I want to pull her away from him so badly.

“You want to switch seats so you don’t have such a good view?” Bryce says.

“I’m good,” I say, not taking my eyes off Alex. I tune back into their conversation.

“Hey,” Alex says as he pours Millie a glass of wine. “I haven’t seen Mason down here. Maybe he’s finally starting to realize you can take care of yourself.”

“Yeah, maybe. He’s really not that persistent,” she says. “Or protective, for that matter.”

I smile. The sarcasm is definitely meant for me. She knows it’s one of my favorite things about her.

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