Page 33 of Rhys

Trace pondered this a moment. “Without Rose, accessing Austin’s office is going to be nearly impossible.”

“We need to get inside his house,” she announced nonchalantly. “The missing blueprint has to be there. We get that, in addition to the ones Rose already uploaded, we’ve got him dead to rights.”

Every man in the room turned in her direction, but it was Greyson who spoke up first.

“She’s right.” The former SEAL nodded. “It’s illegal for anyone to knowingly participate in the building of an atomic weapon. We prove that’s what Austin is doing, especially in connection with North Korea, the guy will get the death penalty.”

“That’s all well and good, but the man’s literally one of the richest men in the world,” Rhys reminded them. “How the hell are we going to get into his house? Not like we can just walk through the front door.”

“Actually…” Asher intervened. With one finger raised in the universal sign for ‘wait a minute’, he used his other to scroll through something on his phone.

“What do you got, Ash?” Trace turned his focus onto the former Ranger.

“Hang on a second…I know I saw it somewhere…Yes!Here it is. Kenneth Austin is hosting a charity banquet at his estate in two days.” Being met with several blank stares, he added, “What? Don’t you guys ever go on Twitter?” Asher waited a beat before continuing. “Anyway, it’s supposed to be some sort of big wheel and deal kind of event. Everyone who’s anyone is going.”

“That’s great, Ash.” Rhys’s tone was filled with sarcasm. “You got an invite to this shindig we don’t know about?”

Asher shook his head and smiled. “No, but I know someone who does.” When the room remained silent, he added, “You guys remember Parker Collins?”

“Isn’t that Sydnee’s friend?” Kellan asked. “The billionaire game designer?”

Leaning in close, Rhys whispered, “Sydnee is Asher’s wife. She and Parker grew up together.”

With a nod, Vanessa silently told the sexy man she understood.

“Anyway, as I’m sure you all remember, Parker helped us out back when Syd was kidnapped.”

“Your wife was kidnapped?” She felt her eyes grow wide.

A haunted look crossed over Asher’s handsome face. “Luckily, it all turned out okay. Partially thanks to Parker.” He glanced around at the others. “I know if we asked, he’d be more than happy to help take down that bastard Austin.”

“I don’t know.” Rhys shook his head. “The work Parker does on the side for Uncle Sam…I thought that shit was supposed to be secret. Can’t imagine he’s going to want to risk getting caught breaking into Austin’s home office.”

“He probably wouldn’t. But she would.” Asher’s dark gaze landed on Vanessa’s. “I can see to it that you’re Parker’s plus one. You get inside, download Greyson’s cloning software onto his personal computer, and get out.”

“No.” Rhys said the word as if it were final. “No fucking way. It’s too dangerous.”

Vanessa turned in her swivel chair to face him. “You do remember who it is I work for, right?”

“Yeah, Ness. I do. I also know you’ve been undercover with Austin Avionics for the past couple of months, you’ve obviously been made, and Austin’s goon probably has your face, body, and build memorized right down to your bra size.”

“He has a point,” Trace voiced the same concern.

This was the part of the job Vanessa liked the most. “Trust me, gentlemen. I’ll do everything in my power to avoid him. But if I do happen to run into Kenneth Austin…or anyone else who works at his company…I can promise you he’ll have no idea who I am.” Looking back at Rhys, she said, “I am going to need a few things before the banquet, though.”

It was clear Rhys wasn’t crazy about the idea, but he looked to the man in charge for the final say. “What do you think?”

Trace mulled the idea over before turning his attention to Asher. “Make the call. If Parker has any questions, tell him to call me.” To Vanessa, he said, “Draw up a list of whatever you need to make this work. I’ll see to it that you have it by the end of the day.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” The formidable man slid his focus onto Rhys. “I want you and Vanessa to stay at a hotel. At least for the next few days.”

“A hotel?” Rhys frowned. “Why?”

“Because if I can pull your plates and facial rec from the museum’s outside security footage,” Greyson explained, “then there’s a possibility that whoever was behind that bullet can too.”

“Agreed.” Vanessa nodded. “The last thing I want is for anyone else to get hurt.”

---