Page 59 of Resistant

“We found an interesting littlebugtoday, and I was hoping you might have some equipment we can use to find out more about it.”

“Sure, come in. I’ll show to you my work room.”

Riesa’s bungalow must have been renovated and added on at some point because she leads us to the back of the house, and it keeps on going.

She opens the door to a large space with windows lining the back wall. Three walls are lined with cabinets and a large island sits in the middle of the room.

Riesa opens a cabinet and pulls out a high-power lighted magnifier. She slides a large door aside and reveals a laptop, printer, and tablet. The equipment is all new and top of the line. Riesa shrugs and smiles.

“I’m good at what I do.”

“I guess you are Domina.”

I raise a brow at her. Riesa stills and her face becomes hard, eyes blank. I glance at Brynn and she’s looking back and forth between Riesa and me, her mouth hanging open.

“Just want to make sure we are all on the same page here.” I say quietly.

I give into my urge and grab a confused Brynn by the hip and pull her next to me.

Reisa wordlessly turns on the magnifier. Her motions are confident, her expression is focused and fierce. I can almost physically see her transform; her attitude is all business and take no prisoners.

I spread out my handkerchief. Riesa opens a drawer, and hands me some tweezers.

Brynn fidgets against my side and her curiosity bursts forth.

“What page are we talking about? I’m not on the page. And how do you two know each other?”

Brynn looks stricken, and I squeeze her hand and focus my attention on the lens.

“We don’t know each other, just acquainted,” Riesa says. “I’ve seen Declan in passing, a long time ago. I’ll let him tell you about it.” She smirks and says, “Just making sure he knows that I know.”

“I do know. I knew last night when you protected Brynn. And now you know that I know too.”

“Know what? What protection?” Brynn asks.

“It’s in the past Brynn. I’ll tell you about it later.”

I watch Brynn carefully as the fury flashes in her eyes. I mentally sigh and turn back to the spy bug. Riesa scoots to the other side of me to peek through the lens.

“Wow. I haven’t ever seen one of these in person before. Did it bite you?”

“It bit Brynn.”

I feel Brynn press herself against my side and she peers over the lens.

“Yuck. Stupid vampire drone. It hurt.”

Riesa laughs. “I imagine so. Did it get a DNA sample Doc?” Riesa pulls out a set of tiny screwdrivers and a vial to collect the sample. I pull a set of slides from my pocket and wipe them down with an alcohol wipe.

“I got that covered, thanks.”

“Okay, have you ever taken one of these apart?”

“No.”

“Maybe you should let me tinker with it.”

I nod and step back, pulling Brynn with me.

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