Page 60 of The Secrets We Keep

The clock rolled over to five, and she reached into her bottom drawer for her bag. Isa scrambled past her a few moments later, refusing to make eye contact as usual. Sienna shook her head. She would most definitely not miss Isa when this was all said and done.

Jack stretched on the other side of the partition and ran a hand through his hair. Luckily, Ciro wasn’t back from his latest meeting yet. She could still make a clean break and avoid another conversation.

“Got anything fun going on tonight after work?”

Sienna slipped into her coat and adjusted the collar. “Laundry. The funnest.”

Jack smiled, fastening the large buttons of his wool jacket and stooping to grab his briefcase. Slinging her purse over her shoulder, Sienna followed him to the elevator.

“Any plans for the holidays?”

Sienna stalled in her reach for the elevator button before quickly recovering and mashing it with her finger. “Not really a big Christmas person. You?”

“My better half wants to go to the Christmas markets in Vienna.”

“And you don’t?” Sienna guessed, getting on the elevator when the doors slid open with a whoosh.

“We did the markets in Rome last year. They were bad enough. Vienna is bigger, farther.” He paused to rub a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m already certain I know who will win this argument.”

Sienna laughed. “I guess you’d better buy the tickets and pack your bags, then.”

“Before the week is out.”

They swiped their badges at security and split off in different directions on the sidewalk. Sienna popped the collar on her coat against the wind before pulling her phone from her bag and scrolling through her messages from Luca.

They were hitting two more shipments before the party, and Luca wanted to know if anything had changed or if there was anything they needed to watch out for. She let him know she’d check when she got home and then stuffed her hands into her pockets.

She needed to go grocery shopping, but with night settling in, the wind was too biting to think about making a stop now. She’d order something and make a list for tomorrow. Turning toward her apartment, she stopped short when she saw Ciro huddled with Drago and half hidden by the potted bushes she’d jumped behind the day she ran into Luca.

Calculating the fastest way around them without being spotted, she stepped to her right, but it was too late. Ciro made eye contact and then gave her a tentative grin. Drago glanced in the direction of Ciro’s gaze, the frown on his face melting into a strained, tight-lipped smile.

She waved, prepared to make a hasty retreat and use the excuse that they looked deep in conversation, but Drago motioned her over. Sienna took a deep breath and weaved through the people leaving the office. She hadn’t wanted to come face to face with Ciro, let alone both of them.

“Heading out?” Drago asked, even though it was clear she was.

“I am. I have a bottle of Nero d’Avola at home waiting for me.”

“A perfect choice,” Ciro commended. “One of my favorites as well. Well, we won’t keep y—”

“What progress is being made on our side project? I haven’t heard many updates on it from Ciro.”

“Right,” she said when Ciro tensed. “That’s because I haven’t given him any. I was swamped last week with all the changes coming through for the customer app. But it seems that one might be put on hold soon, so I can prioritize this for you.”

Drago shared a look with Ciro, who seemed to relax the tiniest bit, and pinned her with a hard stare again. “That would be fine. When can we expect to know more?”

Sienna shifted on her feet, tucking her face further into the safety of her hood, away from the wind and Drago’s searching eyes. “Hopefully it won’t be too long once I can get in there and have a deeper look. In my initial browse, their security looked very comprehensive. What you want might not be possible.”

Drago’s scowl deepened, and Sienna had to force herself not to shrink away. Ciro reached up and patted her shoulder with a gloved hand.

“You do your best to get us as close as possible to our end goal, and we can handle the rest.”

“Is there anything specific you’re looking for?”

Drago turned sharply to face her and took a step forward, invading her personal space. “We’ve already told you what we want. Access to their systems to test their security. There’s nothing more you need to know.”

She flicked a glance at Ciro, who looked genuinely worried. This was the Drago she knew and remembered. Quick to anger, quicker to lash out.

“Of course.” Clenching her hands into fists in her pocket, she forced a smile into her voice. “I only meant if there was a specific part of their system you wanted me to focus on, I could build a more targeted program rather than take a general approach that may or may not give you what you’re looking for.”

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