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I snorted a low laugh. I could tell from Nick’s tone he still hadn’t forgiven Black for sending his live-in boyfriend to NewYork to try and glean information from a billionaire and possible murdering psychopath. I had strong suspicions Jem was going to get an earful, too.

I felt bad for Nick, and sympathized.

But I also agreed with Black.

Frasier wouldn’t be able to resist Jem.

Even apart from Jem’s ability to manipulate the billionaire’s mind into seeing him a certain way, Jem was a stunningly beautiful person, and not only on the inside. Frasier would be utterly enthralled; he’d undoubtedly lower his guard as a result. Jem was also charming, funny, intelligent, and probably the best infiltrator Black had on his team.

Jem knewexactlyhow to use his looks to disarm people.

It was eerie how good he was at it.

Black hung a final left at the end of the road, and began following signs to the gate leading into the parking lot. I looked up at the tall, black-tinted building that loomed over us, and the lit “L.R.” at the top. Now that we were closer, the red in those letters appeared to be cycling upwards, rippling and sparking like an open flame.

“It really is douchey,” I muttered.

As if against his will, Nick snorted another laugh.

9

THE COMPANY

The black, wing-shaped structure had a tree-filled park between twin buildings, surrounded by an outdoor lot that must have capacity for nearly a thousand cars.

Black stopped at the security gate long enough to flash his I.D. and for the security guard to call someone inside to verify permission for their visit.

Once he got the okay, the guard handed over three badges. He also gave Black a yellow laminate with a barcode and “Visitor” printed on it in dark script. The security guard explained that the yellow laminate had to be placed on the dashboard on the driver’s side, and that it connected directly to his license plate number, so couldn’t be used for any other vehicle.

“Fairly restrictive access,” I muttered, glancing at Nick.

“Hmm,” my old friend commented.

From the flash of Black’s gold eyes when he glanced at us, he agreed.

To the guard, Black only nodded.

“Don’t take the badges off,” the guard warned. “You’ll be escorted out. They’ve got names on them, so make sure you’rewearing the right one. Oh, and never come here, to this building, without your badges, official IDs, and the parking pass… not even if someone working here tells you it’s all right, or claims they’ll come out to meet you and bring you in. You’ll be denied access. There are no exceptions, whatever the suits inside might tell you. Security has strict rules here.”

Black gave him a faint smirk. “Guess you don’t get a lot of tour groups.”

“No,” the guard deadpanned back. “We don’t. And we work directly for Mr. Rucker, not for Prometharis. We answer only to him.”

Again, I exchanged wordless looks with Nick.

The gate opened, the barrier rose, and Black took the SUV out of park. He drove through the narrow opening and closed his window before he looked back at us.

“This is primarily a research facility,” Black explained, as he handed the badges and their lanyards over to me to sort out.

I glanced down at the names, handed one over the seat to Nick, looped a second one around my neck, and held Black’s in my lap for when we stopped.

“…Their admin buildings are downtown,” Black added. “Not far from the Ferry Building. That’s where Rucker’s main office is located. I suspect security is tight there, too, and at his personal residence, but from what the two bozos who hired me said, everything atthisfacility is the reason why. Luc was insanely protective of everything that went on here. That’s probably why he oversaw security himself.”

That tracked. Rucker undoubtedly had his fingers in a lot of pies. I probably needed to dig up a few more detailed bios, articles, and interviews, and look for videos online to try and get a sense of the full scope of his businesses.

At this point, I assumed Black didn’t only want a profile from me.

He seemed to want me on this full time.