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He’d drop the suit off at the cleaners tomorrow.
Sophia read the same paragraph on her computer for the fourth time before giving up. Penny had delivered the peace lily to Lachlan this morning. She’d been hesitant to deliver it herself, unsure how he’d react given that he’d been determined to put distance between them yesterday after they’d gotten unstuck from the elevator.
Her mind kept returning to the moment when he’d gone somewhere deep and dark so fast she’d acted on instinct, grabbing his face, calling his name until his gaze refocused, and she knew he’d returned from whatever bad memory held him in its thrall. The torment in his eyes and his whispered words of apology had broken her heart. She had the feeling they weren’t meant for her but for someone else.
Then his gaze had dropped to her lips, his eyes darkening to a deep jade.
Everything in her that was female knew he wanted to kiss her. And she’d wanted him to with an intensity that left her completely unmoored.
He was a dark, complicated man with secrets—secrets Admiral Dane was counting on her to expose. The more time she spent around him, the harder it was to believe he was a cold, unfeeling man who could sell weapons to the Taliban. He felt—maybe too much. She was sure of it.
She rose from her desk with a disgusted sigh. Maybe another hit of caffeine would get her brain back on work. She left her office and headed for the breakroom.
Jared stood at Penny’s desk. He handed her a cream-colored envelope. “I forgot to RSVP to this art gallery event for tomorrow night. Can you do it for me?”
Art gallery event.“Is that the one at the Reston Art Gallery?” Sophia piped up. Her mind worked furiously. It was a shot in the dark that it was the same event Lachlan had gotten an invitation to. He’d avoided her all day and hadn’t returned her email about the documents she needed for the government report. She needed to work faster to gain his trust.
Maybe he’d be more approachable in a social setting.
She stepped closer to Jared and tried not to appear desperate. “I heard the exhibit there now is fantastic.” Whatever it was. She had no clue. Hopefully, he wouldn’t ask her anything about it.
A smile hovered on Jared’s lips. “I didn’t know you were an art enthusiast. You want to come? The opening reception is tomorrow night. Invitation only.”
“I’d love to.” She bounced on her toes. Maybe her spy skills weren’t so bad after all.
“Make the RSVP for two,” Jared instructed Penny before turning back to Sophia. “Cocktail attire. I’ll pick you up at six-thirty. Feel free to leave work a bit early to get ready.”
She bit her lip, awkwardness creeping in as it occurred to her that her ingenious attempt to get closer to Lachlan meant she’d invited herself on a date with her boss.
You’re overthinking this. Jared told her when she interviewed that part of her job responsibilities would be attending social functions with him to promote LAI. It was how business was done inside the Beltway. No one would think it improper for her to be seen with him. “I need to give you my address.”
“Sophia,” Jared’s tone made her feel like she’d just asked a stupid question, “you work for me. I know where you live.”
Chapter Nine
Lachlantookasipof Highland Park, its notes of heather, spice, and fruit warming the back of his throat. The art gallery occupied the bottom floor of a concrete and glass brick building in the historic part of Reston. Strategically lit paintings mounted on white demi-walls partitioned the vast open space while pedestals showcased three-dimensional pieces.
He spotted Lucas the second he arrived. The FBI AD still looked as fit as he had during his military days, simply trading his uniform for a charcoal pinstripe suit and conservative tie. He still sported a full head of short, black hair, although it looked to be graying at the temples.
When their gazes connected, Lachlan indicated a back corner of the gallery with a subtle tilt of his head. Tucked away behind the exhibits and near the gallery’s administrative offices, it would afford them some privacy. Just two blokes attending the reception, taking a brief moment for a quiet chat about business.
Lucas appeared a few minutes later with a highball glass in hand. “They’re serving up some decent Scotch.” He gazed at his surroundings before his blue eyes came to rest on Lachlan. “How are you, Mackay?”
Lachlan understood the question behind the question. “Fine.” He bit out the word in a tone that didn’t invite further discussion. He hadn’t invited Lucas to discuss his mental status.
He stepped closer to the AD and lowered his voice. “Mohammad Khan plans to use an upcoming wedding at his compound in Jalalabad as cover for a weapons auction.”
“And you know this how?”
“One of my former SAS mates in Kabul training the Afghan military heard the rumor. The wedding is in two weeks.”
Lucas took a sip of his whisky and stared at Lachlan over the rim of his glass. The back of Lachlan’s neck tightened. He knew what was coming.
“Is there any evidence to back up this rumor?”
Lachlan frowned. “Khan may be getting his weapons from a US source. If I can find evidence, we could stop the auction and prove Khan is a threat to the Afghan national government and the Coalition. They’d have to move against him then.”
“Jesus, Mackay.” Lucas shook his head. “I know you have a hard-on for the warlord, but you have no legal authority here. None.”