Page 83 of Every Which Way

Maizie grinned, then laughed out loud. “He said to tell you that so I could see your reaction.” She kept laughing. “That was a good one.”

Bruce opened one eye under the hood. “Did I miss it?”

Maizie kept laughing.

Kenna said, “I’d throw this mug at you, but it would be a waste of good coffee and a good mug.”

She saw Bruce’s grin flash under his hood.

Maizie leaned against her shoulder, still chuckling.

“Let’s all focus, shall we?” Because if Maizie was going to get them into this party, they needed an invitation, their names on the guest list, and fancy outfits. “Actually, I have an idea. Bruce? Why don’tyougo with me tonight? I could use some of those CIA spy skills of yours.”

Bruce sat up, nearly dislodging Cabot from his lap. The dog didn’t really fit there, but she curled up and made it work. “What are we doing?”

“Going to a society party. You’ll need a tux.”

He sat back in the chair, groaning.

The sounds of his displeasure continued through shopping at the mall, all the way until they were driving to the property in a rented supercar.

“You should’ve let me drive.” Kenna smoothed down the skirt of her dress, which barely touched her knees.

Bruce barked a laugh. “No chance, honey.”

“Excuse me? Is this some sexist thing?”

“Can’t drive a car like this in heels.”

“These shoes were a dumb idea. I’m going to fall on my face.”

“Can’t wear Converse to a black tie.” Bruce glanced over. “Not even to make a statement.”

“They’re on the back seat. The minute I get outed as me, I’m coming back to the car to change them.” At least, it had sounded like a good idea in her head. “Now, tell me about Amara.”

He glanced at her again. “What about her? She’s your mom, ain’t she?”

The use of “ain’t” was like a tell in poker. But Kenna wasn’t going to point that out. “You saw her in the woods behind the roadhouse? She ended up with Roxanne in her custody, but you didn’t report that you’d made contact with anyone.”

“I don’t do reports.”

“Neither does Ramon, and what’s the point of papers and papers and more papers anyway? We won’t have anywhere to put them. That’s why we add it to the message board. I updated everyone with my note.” Not a report, just a little FYI. After all, if she didn’t do it, thennoneof them would. “But you said nothing about seeing her.”

“Fine.” Bruce pressed his lips together. “She got by me.”

“I know she’s a highly trained asset. Maybe being out of the CIA for a while made you lose your edge, some of your skills are rusty.” She would’ve continued but got the desired response already.

He cut her off, blustering. “You think I’m rusty?”

“Then how’d she get by you?”

“Maybe Amara hypnotized me. Does the company do that?”

“Probably,” Kenna said, shuddering a little at the thought of it. “But why would she?”

“How should I know?”

“So, a beautiful woman bewitched you, and you lost your mind…as it were. I guess it’s good to know your weakness.” Even if the object of his desire was the woman she’d considered her mother for years.

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