Page 212 of Tenderfoot

He appeared no less homicidal.

“Really,” I asserted.

And…

Nope.

He still looked like he wanted to murder somebody.

I fell silent.

Marjorie showed with our Perriers. The sparkling water was in a tall, thin, blemishless glass that had cool glass straws and a slice of lime in them.

Total class, NI&S was.

We were sipping when the others arrived.

The others being everybody.

NI&S had a big conference room, but with everyone there, we were packed in like sardines.

Mace, being the Big Kahuna, started it.

“First, are you both all right?” he asked.

Aw.

He was so sweet.

“We’re fine,” I said again, and then looked among the Angels. “And we kind of got kidnapped into solving the case.”

All the women’s faces brightened, even the Rock Chicks.

This news didn’t alter the expressions of the men in the slightest, though I didn’t think that was about us winning and solving the case. It was about Willow and me being kidnapped and they were clearly amassing to send a team out to come and get us.

Mace sat in a swivel chair, put a forearm to the table, leaned back, radiated total bad-A hotness and ordered, “Share.”

We’d signed NDAs.

Still, we shared.

Everything.

“To end,” Willow said after we tag-teamed the rundown, “I have to deliver the laptop to Congressman Mahoney’s office by the end of the day.”

“You will not be doing that,” Mace returned.

“Uh, we signed an NDA,” I pointed out. “If someone else does it, he might sue us for all we’re worth. I’m not worth much, but I’d like to keep what I have.”

“You. Are not. Delivering. That laptop. To the congressman,” Mace stated ominously.

I pressed my lips together.

“I will personally explain to Congressman Mahoney that he can be assured of our discretion,” Mace continued.

I had no doubt he’d communicate just that.

And probably more.

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