Page 111 of Moonlighter

“Of course. They’re warmer to me now. Or at least until my company sells a device that exposes every Engels Cable Media customer to international identity theft.”

“You won’t let it come to that.”

“No.” She shakes her head. “But I hate the thought that one man can lob a grenade at my life’s work. God knows how much this will cost us. I hope your brother is wrong. How often is Max wrong, by the way?” She puts a hand on her swollen belly and rubs.

“Well…” That’s a tricky question. “He’s wrong about me all the time. About matters of security? Not so much.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.”

“Geniuses are frustrating people,” I point out. “That’s why you want to stick with a dumb jock, baby. It’s mybodythat’s talented.”

“I noticed that.” She reaches up and puts her hand on the back of my neck. “Thank you for sharing your talents with me last night.”

Last nighthas a certain finality to it. I’m pretty sure she’s giving me the brush off. “It was my pleasure,” I whisper. And then I duck my head and kiss her neck very softly, but very thoroughly, until I feel her shiver.

“Geez, Eric. Your mouth is probably illegal in several states.”

“Yours is pretty talented,” I point out, kissing my way into the collar of her shirt. When I walk out that door in a few minutes, I want her to remember I was here. “What time is it, anyway?”

She glanced up at a clock on the wall. “Eleven-thirty. That means I can call Rolf and give him the bad news that we’re working on a Sunday.”

“Poor Rolf.” I kiss her neck, wondering how soon I can visit again.

“He’s…” Her body melts against mine. “W-well compensated for the inconvenience of being my assistant.”

“Mmm hmm.”Kiss. “I’d better go.”Kiss. “And let you get to work, then.” Because I’m evil, I suck her earlobe into my mouth until she shivers.

Alex gives my chest a shove. “Go already. I can’t think when you do that. And right now, I really need to think.”

I give her one more kiss—a real one—and then I leave the kitchen behind.

In the hallway, Duff is seated in the guard’s chair. “She doing okay, man?”

“She’s doing great,” I say. “Your job is safe for another day.”

“You’re a miracle worker. What’s your secret?”

“Don’t answer that,” Max says under his breath.

“Bagels with all the fixings,” I say, giving Duff a wave as the elevator arrives.

Max presses the button for the parking garage beneath Alex’s building. We get into his new favorite ride—a Maserati GT. I can’t even keep track of all my brother’s toys.

His finger hovers over the ignition, but he doesn’t start the engine. “Before I take you downtown, I need to know. Are you ready to go to war for her?”

“War,” I repeat slowly. “Against whom?”

“Does it matter?” he asks, squinting at me from the driver’s seat. “Are you all in for Alex. You need to decide before we walk in there.”

And now I understand. “We’re going to Tatum’s place.”

“I am. And you can come with me if you are ready to do what needs to be done.”

I lean back in the leather seat and fasten my seatbelt. I know what Max is asking. He told Alex he’d “rule out” Tatum’s involvement. But he doesn’t mean to use email surveillance this time. “I’m in.”

“Even if it gets messy?”

Fifteen floors above us, I picture Alex curled up on her couch, a protective hand over her stomach. And I just know. I’d do anything for her.