Page 95 of The Scarab's Game

“That’s not what I’m talking about.”

Didhe know about me and Jenn? Had Jayce said something about me flirting yesterday? Had Rav’s earpiece reception been better than he’d let on?

“Anyway.” Jayce’s singsong voice was a blatant attempt to break the tension. When that didn’t work, she stood, plucking at Drew’s shirt. “We should head back to the office and run through the virtual maps again. I’d like to do it with the actual scarab and consider Drew on the inside.”

Rav didn’t take her bait and stayed focused on me. “You’re playing house with a woman who’s already taken.”

“She broke up with Simon before she left home.”Shit. Idefinitelysaid that too fast.

Rav stood as he unfolded his arms and leaned on the table. Fists balled. Menace in his eyes. “I swear, if anything?—”

“Noah’s not after her.” I also stood despite how stupid it was to square off with Rav. “If he were, he would have tracked where she was every second. She wouldn’t have seen him until it was too late. He’s not stupid, either, Rav. Think about it.”

He glowered at me, his extra three inches feeling like a foot. He could have thrown me over the short wall without stopping to think. It was what he’d trained for. He excelled at strategy and tactics. A surveillance expert and marksman who possessed a level of grit I’d never encountered before.

And he was so loyal to his friends he’d die for any of us.

That included Jenn.

“You remember the first time you broke her heart?”

It was one kiss. Hardly her whole heart. And who’d told him?Jenn and Rav have been friends that long, too, remember?

“I should have kicked your ass back then instead of letting Scarlett stop me.” The intensity in Rav’s eyes didn’t break until he finally pivoted to Jayce. “Let’s go.”

Drew collected Jayce’s garbage, and they headed for the garbage bin.

Rav turned back to me, burning a hole through me with his gaze. “And for the record? You know the Casino best, so you should be joining us at the office. If this job fails…” Rav’s finger aimed at my chest. “It’s on you.”

Chapter 34

Jenn

I tiedmy new pink silk scarf around my neck, donned my new sunglasses, and tucked Emmett’s credit card into my purse.

Chloé, the amazing shopping assistant, handed over the last of my bags. “Have an unforgettable evening.”

“I will.” After last night, this morning, and now the shopping, unforgettable was a given. “And thanks for all your help.”

Emmett had come in with me, setting both a minimum and maximum amount for me to spend. Not trusting me to reach the threshold, he’d told Chloé to help me shop until I hit twenty thousand euros. I had the requisite dress, shoes, jewelry, and handbag for this evening, along with new underwear and everyday accessories.

‘This is how undercover works,’he’d said.‘If you don’t fit the part, no one will buy you as my date.’

Scarlett dressed like this on a regular basis. I’d always known she spent a lot on clothes, but had no idea how much. It wasn’t all business expenses, was it? Did she and Emmett honestly make so much they could afford all of this?

Maybe I needed a career change.

I stepped out into the warm August day. Across the street, a small snack shop sat amidst several tables and chairs. Emmettand Will sat at a table isolated from the others. A couple, a family, and a few other people scattered around the rest of the seating area. Beyond them, the port was full of yachts and superyachts.

Including Massimo’s.

With the fake Constable.

I glanced down the street, watching for a break in traffic. Rav, Jayce, and Drew were further down the sidewalk, out of earshot, unless I yelled. I could practically see the storm cloud gathering around Rav’s head.

What was going on?

You’re supposed to meet Emmett. Stay on track.I stepped in between a couple of parked cars, watching as a Ferrari and a Bentley motored by. Monaco really was a whole other world.

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