Page 17 of Code Name: Grit

“He won’t,” she countered firmly. “Besides, something’s off about Cassio’s involvement. He’s been unusually visible for someone who typically operates through proxies.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I don’t know yet,” she admitted.

Dante glanced my way, his protective instinct warring with his professional judgment. Finally, he addressed me directly. “Bring her back safe, Harrison.”

“I will.” The promise came easily, though we all knew it wasn’t one I could guarantee.

“The helicopter’s on standby,” Admiral said, approaching with a satellite phone. “Weather report indicates clear flying conditions for the next three hours.”

As with our previous trip,Admiral arranged for helicopter transport to the city and had an SUV waiting at the landing pad. As we drove toward our hotel, I found myself contemplating the rapid evolution of our mission.

“What are you thinking?” Lumi asked.

“That we’re walking into this with less preparation than I’d prefer.”

She nodded. “It’s not ideal. But we won’t get another chance like this.”

“Not at all concerned?”

“Of course I am,” she admitted. “But I didn’t ask to join K19 to play it safe. This is our window, and I intend to use it.”

We were getting close to the hotel when Lumi turned in her seat. “About what happened earlier…the kiss.”

“What about it?” I kept my eyes on the road.

“It felt like more than professional preparation.”

“You’re right.”

“It shouldn’t have.”

“Also correct.”

She studied my profile. “So, what do we do now?”

I glanced at her briefly. “I’d say pretend it never happened, but?—”

“Could you? Really?”

Her words hung between us, unanswered as I pulled in and parked. I killed the engine, but she made no move to exit the vehicle.

“What if I can’t?” she asked.

My heart rate accelerated. “That would complicate things.”

“Things are already complicated,” she pointed out.

I turned to face her fully. “Whatever this is between us, we need to be honest about it. Dishonesty gets people killed in our line of work.”

She looked down at her hand, which I’d covered with mine. “And what is this, exactly?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

Her eyes met mine, searching. Whatever she saw there must have satisfied her because she nodded once. “We should get inside.”

The suite wasspacious and well-appointed, with a bedroom, a living area with a pullout bed, and a small kitchenette.