Page 123 of The Honeymoon Hack

“Or that’s why they’re moving now,” Drew suggested. “Before their resources dry up completely.”

I straightened, pushing personal ghosts aside. This was the job. “Naples gives them options. Sea routes, air transport, major highways. Urban density for cover.”

“Or it’s more symbolism,” said Drew. “Egyptian feather, Roman talon, Persian beak, Chinese halo—and now Greek Fire.”

“The phoenix will rise,” I said. “In the city that rose out of Pompeii’s ashes?”

Heads nodded around the table. Naples almost felt obvious after that.

“We figured out in Monaco that they’re collecting ancient golden artifacts that make up a larger statue,” Scarlett said, leaning back in her chair. “But how does a biochemical formula fit in with that?”

“It’s Greek?” said Jayce with a shrug.

“Not only that,” Brie continued, “but Noah told both Scarlett and Jayce the phoenix would put an end to all disease and heal people. If Greek Fire is a weapon, how does that heal anyone?”

The memory of a scream passed through my brain. I’d never known if it was mine or Brooke’s. The searing pain as the bullets ripped through my shoulder. Waking up in a military hospital in Germany. The years of healing that followed.

Then it rewound to Brooke’s laugh echoing across the compound. The way she’d look at me when she thought I wasn’t paying attention. How she’d curl against me during the few quietmoments we stole between missions, her brilliant mind finally at rest.

She’d moved on. She had to have moved on. Six years was long enough to build a life with someone who wouldn’t disappear when things got difficult.

Through the glass walls of the boardroom, movement caught my eye. Two figures approached the front entrance. A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, a fall jacket zipped against the October chill, and a scarf wrapped around her neck. In front of her, a man I recognized even in profile.

Percival.

Which meant?—

The woman turned as he reached for the door handle, and six years of carefully constructed walls collapsed in an instant. Dr. Brooklyn MacAllister. Here. Walking into our building like she belonged, like she had every right to shatter the balance I’d spent so long building.

Time seemed to slow as I watched her move with the same confident stride I remembered. She was even more beautiful than she’d been all those years ago.

Evelyn’s gaze followed mine through the glass wall. “Perfect timing. And not to disappoint anyone, but I’ve decided Naples is too dangerous. We specialize in stealth and leverage, not the level of violence Fenix is rising to. We’ll provide intel and support to this team from Pendragon?—”

Evelyn’s voice faded into the background.

Control your breathing.

Inside, every alarm system I’d ever developed was screaming warnings I couldn’t ignore. I’d joined Reynolds Recoveries to forget my old life. But here was that old life, walking into my meeting room.

Stay calm. You can do this.

Brie shifted beside me, following my gaze to the front door. She leaned closer, whispering so no one else would hear. “If that’s not a hint from the universe, I don’t know what is.”

THE END OF BOOK 5