Page 44 of Walking the Bird

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Reaching into her pocket, Melinda removed her cellphone, scrolling through her photos until she found the one she wanted. “I took this the first day I met him,” handing her phone to Logan. “I don't know why I kept it,” she lied. Bash was a handsome man, and if it weren’t for her wounded spirit at the time, she would have gladly pursued a relationship with him.

“You’re certain?” Shifting his gaze between the photo of the man who’d driven the limo from the airport and Melinda’s face, Zach tried to recall any irregularities in the man, but came up empty.

“Sadly, yes.” Swallowing thick, Melinda turned her gaze to Cade, “He certainly fooled me as I considered him a friend.”

Placing a kiss to her forehead, Cade didn't want to think about another man gaining Melinda’s attention. He wasn't foolish enough to believe he was the first man in her life.

Jumping to his feet, Slate came to stand beside Zach, peering down at the photo on the screen. “Don't write Bash off yet, Ms. Stuart.” He assured, reaching for the vibrating phone in his pocket.

“I’m sorry, do I know you?” Hating how defensive she sounded, Melinda moved to readdress when Slate held up a finger, turning his back toward her and answering his phone.

“Don't let his abrasiveness offend you.” Leaning back in his chair, Ryan crossed his arms behind his neck. “Our buddy Slate would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.” Sending a wink in his brother’s direction, “Although I doubt your boy would allow it.”

“I could say the same for—”

“Ghost, I need you to hack into the network,” shattering the beginnings of brotherly banter, Slate held his phone to his ear as he came to stand beside Ryan.

“Why?”

“Because we’ve got another hit, this time on the security system and my guy doesn’t have enough bandwidth to check it out himself.”

Dropping his arms, Ryan tossed Slate a hard glare. “What? Blackstone doesn’t have the funds to buy decent equipment?”

“Funds aren't an issue, Ghost. Open the firewall and you will see for yourself. My guy is waiting for you.”

Several lines of code and the easiest firewall he’d ever encountered later, Ryan’s fingers still as he sees the signature of the guy waiting for him.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Ryan moved to shut down his computer. “I'm not giving that motherfucker—”

“Save the theatrics for later,” Slate interrupted, blocking Ryan from closing his computer. “Trespass needs you to open the cameras on all the computers on the system while he follows the hit on the security system.”

Returning his attention to the screen, Ryan mumbled several descriptive ways Trespass could kiss his ass, causing his teammates to snicker. Ryan met Trespass during an in-depth training when the military switched computer software. They’d sized each other up and competed at every turn. When the training was complete, Trespass was selected to join an elite group within the SEALs, while Ryan went back to the team he loved.

Ryan knew better than to get too cocky while crawling through the underbelly of a security system. He’d known a handful of men who had worked covert operations, Trespass sadly excluded, who’d managed to screw something up and had to call for backup. While most IT experts he knew kept to basements filled with self-built computers and a lifetime supply of snacks, Trespass was more like himself than he’d like to admit. The old Ghost that is, the asshole he was before he married Elli.

“Here we go.” He mumbled as he began searching, for what he wasn't entirely certain. He felt like a voyeur as he moved from camera to camera, catching glimpses of faces he recognized, while others he didn't. Ryan was about to demand to know what Slate wanted when he caught the sad eyes of a woman, one he had a special kind of affection for.

“Holy Mary mother of…” Ryan trailed off, his eyes growing wide. “Havoc, you need to get the fuck over here and look at this.”

* * *

Eleni blinkedseveral times as she processed what Derek said. She’d never shared with him her assumption Alex was having an extramarital affair.

“Oh, come now, Eleni. You’ve spent one night in your husband's bed since he’s arrived, not to mention the series of evenings you sought out my company before he had arrived. It doesn't take a detective to uncover what’s going on.”

Having had her fill of the conversation, “You know, Mr. Silvers. I think it’s best if I go back to my room and call the airline myself.”

Balancing the edge of his heels on the corner of the table, he crossed his legs at the ankle. “Did I ever tell you how I came to own this resort?”

Standing from the chair, “No, Mr. Silvers, and not to be rude, but I don't care.” Rounding the desk, “I need to find my husband.” She added as she reached the door.

Derek remained seated, “I can't let you do that, Eleni.”

Spinning on her heels, “Open this door immediately, and let me out.”

“Sit down,” venom dripped from each enunciated word.

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