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“Oh, it’s a date.”
“It’s not because this is an arranged work meeting. It’s only a date if you ask, and you’re the one planning it.”
“I’m good at planning things.”
His eyebrow waggle has me rolling my eyes, but it’s nice to have a reason to laugh.
The two of us reach the lobby, and Maxen grabs my hand and stops in the middle of the Knot emblem on the floor. “Sadie, will you have dinner with me?”
Shocked gasps and snickers are heard from the various security and support staff in the cavernous room. My cheeks flame in embarrassment at having an audience for this little stunt. That is until I realize the mess Maxen just made for himself. He’s stuck with going tonight, no matter what I say.
Offering him my best evil smile, I lean forward and answer, “No,” loud enough for the whole room to hear. All the air is sucked from the lobby as I turn toward the door, swinging my hips as I walk.
Maxen’s reflection is visible in the glass doors, and just before I push through them, I notice him grinning like a fool.
At home, I drop my bags on the living room floor and walk back out to retrieve Gunny from Bonnie and Marshall. “Hey, stranger,” she says when she opens her door.
“Hey, Bonnie. I’m sorry to be leaving Gunny with you so much lately.”
“Well, I don’t mean to scare you, but some divorce papers were delivered just yesterday.”
“Ha,” I snort as I make my way over to Gunny’s bowl. “Come on, Gunny. What about till death do us part?”
Bonnie joins me in the kitchen and lays a hand on my shoulder. “How are you doing, Sadie? And how’s Aaron? I know how much Brock meant to the two of you.”
After a heavy sigh, I lean my head against Gunny’s bowl. “Like shit. Something’s happened that I can’t discuss, but it’s put Aaron in a bad position.”
“Bad? How bad?”
“Possible death sentence bad.”
Her mouth opens and closes a few times like she wants to protest, but her mind isn’t fully comprehending what it’s just heard. “Trust me. I feel the same way.”
“You’re helping him, though. Right. And your boss is helping too?” she asks, sounding hopeful.
“Everyone is doing everything they can. We just don’t have a lot of information yet.”
“Hmph. With as much security as your boss insists on having, I’d think it near impossible for one of your people to get into trouble. Or for trouble to get into them.”
Trouble getting into them… “Bonnie, you’re a genius!”
I grab Gunny’s bowl and race out of her apartment, splashing out half of the water while trying to get my door open. Setting Gunny down on the counter, I pull out my laptop and get started.
The first order of business is pecking out an email to Knot explaining what Aaron told me about Avara since there wasn’t time earlier. Next is a little research mission.
With my email sent, I pick up my phone and call the smartest person I know.
“Sup, Chicka?” Birdie answers.
“Can you hack into the security feeds at Aaron’s apartment?”
“Um… is this a trick question?”
“Birdie!”
“Yeah. Yeah. I’m on it.”
“Don’t leave a trace. I won’t be the last person asking.”