Page 21

I opened my mouth in feigned shock. “I am not a control freak.”
She giggled. “You’re more of one than I am.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask,” she responded.
“Why Unit 23?”
She dropped her elbows and rested her head on the pillow. “Wow,” she gasped.
I followed her line of sight to the skylight above us. “Spectacular, right?”
“It’s breathtaking.”
I wanted to tell her she was what took my breath away, but I was already treading on thin ice, as they say.
“In answer to your question, morbid as it sounds, assassination has always fascinated me.”
I laughed out loud. It was the last thing I’d expected her to say.
“Z is the one who encouraged me to pursue working for the unit.” She propped herself up again. “About Z, have we received any updates?”
I reached for my mobile to check. “Nothing on him, although there are a couple of things about Seshat.”
“Like what?”
“Were you aware she was born in America?”
Her eyes scrunched. “That’s impossible.”
“Wren is saying her birth record is sealed, but the presumption is her father was from the UK since she’s a citizen by birth.”
“Sealed? How odd.”
“They’re trying to get the certificate released now.”
She lowered herself to the pillow a second time. “We should sleep.”
“We should.” While my words indicated agreement, my body wanted none of it. “Maybe just one good-night kiss first?”
I expected a terse retort or even that she’d laugh. She did neither. Her eyes bored into mine. “Maybe just one.”
7
VERITY
Had I really just agreed we should kiss? Was I out of my bloody mind?
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Sure?”
“Based on your expression, I’d say the last thing you want to do is kiss me.”
“It’s just…it isn’t a good idea, Zeppelin. You must agree.”
“I suppose I do.”