Page 61 of Only the Wicked

“You’re coming with me this weekend, right? To D.C.?”

I step up to help with her suitcase as she tugs on the zipper.

“Isn’t that for work?”

“Meh. I have some mandatory meetups.” The truth is, I can’t picture getting on that jet without her. The thought of ending this—whatever this is—on Sunday feels wrong. “But I’d rather not go alone.”

“Is meetup your word for meeting?”

“It’s not really a meeting.” I shrug.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on vacation?”

She’s looking like she’s caught me in a trap, but really, she hasn’t. Miles isn’t counting this weekend as vacation. It’s just two days that butt up to my vacation. If I actually stay away from the computer until Monday, that would be an exceptional performance. One Miles would approve of, but Alex probably wouldn’t, given he’s in a tizzy about an upcoming investor meeting. Me avoiding work over the weekend won’t happen anyway, of course, but if she joins me, I’ll do less work.

“Technically, I’m on vacation through Friday. I’ll have some things to take care of this weekend, but I’d still like for you to join me.”

“I’d need to adjust my flight. I’m not sure?—”

“You’d fly with me.”

Her eyes narrow, and yes, I’m giving away more than I planned about me, but hell, I’m staying in a suite by myself. She didn’t think I was broke.

“Company plane. Small one.” I add the last part because it is one of our smaller jets.

When I told her I didn’t want to spend the afternoon in the car, the reality was I didn’t feel like calling my assistant and having her run down a pilot. And really, a jet is overkill to get from the Highlands to Asheville. A helicopter would be the better choice and that’s just another annoyance to deal with because then we’d still need to move the jet to Asheville for my trip to D.C. Or we could drive like I mentioned. But then I’d still need to deal with the jet. My AI assistant can do a lot, but I’d need to double-check her work as she wouldn’t be pulling from my standard vendor list. Yeah, staying is the easy plan.

“What do you say?”

She shrugs her shoulder. “Sure. I’d love to hang with you in D.C.”

And that’s another reason I like this girl. She’s chill. She doesn’t need explanations or justifications. She just...goes with it. When’s the last time anyone in my life just went with it?

Chapter

Seventeen

Sydney

“Well, look who it is.”

“Checking in,” I respond to Quinn in a hushed voice.

“Why are you whispering? Is he near?”

“I’m in the women’s changing room at the spa. It’s a cell phone free zone.” The scent of eucalyptus drifts from the steam rooms, and soft instrumental music plays overhead.

“Ah. Well, I’ve been tracking you, so I knew you were on the property. Or at least your phone is. You know, we pulled on-site surveillance at your recommendation—and I agreed with you. But it doesn’t work if you don’t check in. I’m tracking a device. Not you. It’s not foolproof. There’s no video or audio on you.”

“I hear you. But I couldn’t get away to message.”

“If he checks your call history, who you are going to tell him this call is to?”

“My friend.” She can’t see me, but I shrug. What else would I say? “What information will he find if he researches this number?”

“He’ll learn it was activated a week ago. This is a KOAN-issued line.”

“Can’t you adjust the history?” I exhale frustration. “You should’ve thought of that.”