Page 90 of Meet Cute or Your Money Back

I sure as hell don’t like the look on Allie’s face right now. Like there’s a bomb here she hasn’t dropped yet. I’m already standing, already bracing for the impact of whatever she’s about to tell me.

“But…?”

“But…we’re both in trouble.” At her feet, Biscuit paws at her legs. She bends down, taking her tiny dog into her arms once more, burying her face in his scruff.

“What do you mean?”

She looks up at me, her eyes wide and frantic, clutching Biscuit so tightly the little guy lets out an indignant squeak. “Drakon and some commanding officer of yours. I ran into them.”

Every muscle in my body goes taut. “Where?”

“They were in Soleil’s office at the newsroom. They were waiting for me there.”

Rage coils hot and fast in my gut. “Did they touch you?”

“No, they wouldn’t have there. Not with Soleil and all the security in the newspaper building. But they wanted me to take them to you. Obviously, I refused.”

“And yet…you’re here.”

“They tried to follow me, but I lost them.”

It’s my turn to panic. I rush to the window, peeking out through the blinds, but it seems quiet enough.

“That’s not all though. They told me something…something that doesn’t make any sense.”

I force myself to focus, to reel in the fury roaring through my veins. “Tell me.”

“Drakon—he’s saying you were discharged from service for murder. That you murdered his brother...” She’s frantic, and I can see the genuine fear etched in her features.

“Murder?” I snap, my voice louder than intended. I go still and the room suddenly feels smaller, suffocating. I shake my head. “That’s a lie.”

“I know.” Her voice is firm, but there’s a tremor beneath it. “But why would they say it? They’re acting like it’s the truth. Like there’s official documentation to back it up.”

I exhale sharply, dragging a hand down my face.

“The orders were clear, Allie. We were sent in to take out Drakon’s brother. It was sanctioned. I didn’t go rogue. Wait—” I freeze. “You said one of my commanding officers was there, too? Who was it?”

She bites her lip. “Admiral Brady.”

“Brady?” My head reels. “That can’t be right. They werehisdirect orders to infiltrate and conquer Dmitriy Mikhailo, dead or alive, by any means possible.”

Allie’s breath hitches. “Then why is he acting like he never gave those orders?” Her voice is a whisper, but it hangs heavy in the room.

I shake my head. None of this makes sense. “We need to find Griffin and Hunter. They were there. They’ll back me up.” I rush to my desk, yanking open the top drawer to pull out Griffin’s business card and thrust it into Allie’s hands. “Here. So you have his number. In case…”

Her eyes widen, growing damp with unshed tears. “In case of what?”

I gulp. “In case…we get separated.”

A sudden clink from the stairwell snaps my attention away from the screen. My head cocks to the side, earsstraining. My heart slams against my rib cage; I’ve heard this sound before. Heavy boots, a sure step—it’s not the mailman, that’s for damn sure.

“You’re sure no one follow you here?” I ask Allie, eyes narrowing as I silently cross to the door, pressing my ear to it.

She shakes her head, but her eyes are wide, uncertain. “I don’t think so. I mean—I lost them. I’msureI lost them.”

But I know better. Trusting gut instincts has kept me alive more times than I can count. Drakon’s goons are here, I can feel it in my bones.

Another noise. Closer this time.

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