Page 55 of Tattletale

“Probably the same as any other thirty-year-old with good looks and more money than God himself,” she replies.

“Strippers?” Callen asks.

“Escorts,” Vienne adds. “He likes to keep his dalliances transactional.”

“From what I gather, we need to uncover Gabriel’s plans first and foremost. So…”

“Yes?” Vienne presses.

“If he’s as collected and calculating as you claim, our best way in is a distraction.”

“Being?” Vesper asks.

“A beautiful woman.”

“He has plenty of those,” Vienne chides bitterly.

“Right…hehasplenty. We need a beautiful woman he can chase. One that’s just out of his reach. Someone who can make him obsessive and sloppy, giving us a window if he slips up. Vienne, if you know him well, you could guide us—what he likes, what he doesn’t. With your help, maybe we could get into his head and out-manipulate the manipulator. If we find out he has lethal plans, we’ll act to protect the public. If we find nothing, then Gabriel lives, and we never speak of this again.”

“Okay. So, you’re thinking a CIA or FBI agent undercover, reporting back to us?” Callen asks.

Eden shakes her head. “Oh, no. We don’t need any more hands in the pot. I don’t trust the government with this. We need someone seductive but lethal. Someone who can go completely underground and undercover and protect herself if things go south. We need an assassinanda spy.” Eden turns in her chair to face me head-on. “Cricket?”

Lance is the first to let out a loud scoff. He’s trying to play off amusement at Eden’s statement, but he comes out looking incredulous. “You can’t be serious right now.”

Ignoring Lance’s protests, she continues, “What do you say? Are you up to making a billionaire fall in love with you?”

I lift my eyes to stare right into Lance’s horrified expression.Going undercover? A break from PALADIN? A chance to think on my own?The choice is far too easy.

“Hell yes. I’m in.”

FIFTEEN

LANCE

Eden’s dooris open as per usual. I stomp down the hallway, making my way to her office, but I haven’t prepared what I’m going to say. Vesper, Cricket, and Vienne left together to return the First Lady to that big, white prison she calls a home. Vienne was to brief Cricket on her new assignment, which she was to start immediately.

I’m furious for a multitude of reasons. I’m mad at Cricket for blindly hating me for no good reason. I’m angry with Vesper for sitting idly by, doing nothing to repair what ultimately, she broke. Last, and probably least, I’m pissed at Eden for shoving my girl into the arms of another man.

Knock, knock.I tap my knuckles against the doorframe. “Busy?” I ask.

“No.” Eden looks up from her computer monitor and rolls her chair away. “Just doing more research on Lochland.”

“What’d you find?” I ask.

“Vienne undersold him.” Eden shows me an apologetic smile. “This guy is flawless. He seems to spend half his fortune reinvesting in his company in the form of excellent employee benefits and over-the-top bonus structures. The other half, hedonates to worldwide charity causes. With as much money as he’s given away, it’s hard to imagine there’s anyone left living under the poverty line.” Eden lets out a heavy sigh. “It’s hard to believe he has anything to do with an organization like Aeon…and there was just something off about Vienne, you know? Genuine, but scheming, like she was only telling ninety percent of the truth.”

I keep my demeanor statuesque, not agreeing with or elaborating on her concerns. Eden folds her hands together. She sighs again, this time softer. “You’re mad at me,” she says.

“How could you do this to me?”

“Do what?” She tilts her head to the side, studying my eyes. Her lips relax into a small frown.

“Push Cricket right into the arms of the world’s most eligible bachelor. He’s smart, handsome, and I bet he’s charming as fuck.”

“He also might be the world’s most dangerous terrorist. You’re not. So…you have that going for you.”

“Funny,” I mutter. “Admit it, though…even you think he’s hot, right?”

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