Page 59 of Saving Serena

“I guess, but she gives me the creeps.”

“Me too,” I lied. “What do you think she’s after?”

“I hope it’s Powell.”

It was almost lunchtime when I got the message.

COBRA: What do you need?

I dialed his number.

“Cobra,” he answered coldly.

Katelyn wasn’t in her cubicle, but I whispered anyway. “Hi, this is Serena?—”

“I know who it is. Is everything all right?” he asked. “Constance told me she’s in position.”

So he’d answered her call but not mine. “I wanted to talk,” I explained.

After a pause, he said, “It’s not a good idea for OPSEC. It should wait until after work.”

From TV, I knew OPSEC meantoperational security. “I’ll be brief,” I promised.

“Still—”

“Thank you,” I started before he could object further. This was not going the way I’d hoped, but I couldn’t let him off the line without an answer. “Con…” I stopped myself from saying her name out loud in case somebody heard me. “The lady at breakfast said you made the omelet special for me, and I wanted to say thank you. It’s always proper to thank people for thoughtful gestures, and yours was very thoughtful.” I stopped myself from blathering further.

It was an agonizing second before he answered. “You’re welcome.”

“Also, I appreciate you taking care of me.” It was time to take a chance and see where he stood. “Last night, after the note scared the crap out of me, and before the guys showed up, before the pizza, you know…” That should make it obvious enough.

“I told you, it’s my job to patch you up and take care of you, keep you safe.”

That wasn’t a definite response. Maybe he didn’t get the clues, so I laid myself bare. “I don’t want to go to the hospital. I want you to change my bandage when I need it. Quick or slow, either way, is good. If you’re up for it, that is, with a spoiled princess.”

He laughed. “I never called you spoiled.” Still not a concrete answer.

“And my bandage? I think you were right that girls who say it has to be pulled off slow are wrong.” If he didn’t get it, I was going to smack him over the head with a frying pan tonight.

“Anything you want, Princess. I can pull the bandage off fast or slow. You just have to tell me what you want.”

I nearly jumped out of my seat with joy. That was a yes. I think. “What I want is for you to stop calling me Princess.”

“Too late for that, Princess.”

“Serena?” Katelyn called from behind me.

I had no idea how much she’d heard and hoped it had been nondescript enough. “I gotta go. Bye.” I hung up and turned.

She cocked a brow. “Your hunky boyfriend?”

Without any other option, I nodded.

“I think Princess is a cute nickname.” A hint of wetness shone in her eyes. “Leo used to call me Contessa.”

“That is sweet,” I agreed. “Maybe I can get used to it, but I don’t think my guy means it the same way.”

She scooted her chair closer. “What do you call him?”

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