Page 5 of Known By You
Elizabeth
Bruce smiled easily, a bright genuine grin, clearly pleased with my offer to help on this mission.
I’d noticed it on my last visit, but the truth struck me yet again—every single person in this building was beautiful. Just, straight up. And not just on the outside, either. Maybe it was because I’d come from a fairly gray existence where baggy pantsuits and stale lighting haunted my station hours, but they were all so… full of life.
“You don’t have to do this. You’ve just gotten into town. But if you’re sure you’re comfortable diving right in, I’d appreciate it, Elizabeth.”
His tone and mien were genuine. So far, he was asay what you mean and mean what you saykind of person, though I knew as well as anyone just how lethal he was thanks to his background in the EMU.
I nodded. “Absolutely. Happy to do it. I know Eddie’sgetting ready to head out of town with Bri and this strikes me as one that having a woman on board for would be valuable.”
Eddie used to be Kappa, like me, though I didn’t know her well. We’d been colleagues, crossing paths a couple of times, though not friends by any means thanks to the solitary nature of the job. Still, it didn’t take being a spy to know getting away with her famous pop star husband would be highly anticipated. She needed this break, and here I was, fully available.
Bruce knocked on his desk. “Agreed. I’ll get the details finalized in the next hour and we’ll push it to your cell. Sounds like they want to leave by Sunday morning, but again, I’ll get more to you as soon as possible.”
“Good plan. Thanks.” I stood and rounded the chair toward the open doorway when his voice stopped me.
“I know it’s only been a day, but are you settling in okay? Will that apartment work out?” He leaned his forearms on the desk.
“It’s great. Comfortable and simple.”
He chuckled. “Simple indeed. I’m afraid we haven’t given it much style, but feel free to do what you want to make it your own while you’re here.”
“Thanks.” They’d offered me the lodging as a part of my contract, and I’d had no reason to refuse them. It was a small studio in town close to All Booked Up that the company now owned and used when overseas employees came for trainings or extended trips. Avoiding the hassle of finding a temporary housing situation or footing the bill for a hotel for a week before I found an alternate location had been ideal.
Yes, my father would’ve loved to put me up. I knew this. So would Jo. But I didn’t… I needed space.
“Excellent. And are you coming to our happy hour tonight?”
I nearly tripped over the carpet. “Uh, I hadn’t planned on it. Should I?”
“No pressure whatsoever. Very casual, good chance to get to know some of the other crew, and I believe your sister will be there.”
I perked up at that. “Oh. Interesting.”
Two birds with one socializing stone absolutely spoke to my soul, so the possibility of actually showing up increased tenfold.
“Again, no obligation to be there, but it’s a good time. I’d love to see you fold in while you’re here. We’ve got a good team and we’re glad you’re with us as long as it lasts.”
He smiled, and I took the signal as my time to go, sending him a quick chin tip-up. I glanced at my watch and?—
“Oh, crap. Sorry.”
Kenny Carmichael’s hands steadied me at the shoulders.
“My fault completely.” I was the dolt not looking where she was going, anyway.
His handsome face—and let me be clear, it was obnoxiously handsome—lit up and he shook his head vehemently. “Nah, no blame game. Just an accident. It happens. Are you okay?”
I nodded, my shoulders burning with warmth from his contact. Was this man running a fever? “Just fine. You?”
“Great. I’m actually really happy to run into you. I haven’t had a chance to welcome you to Saint and say how glad I am to see you.”
He grinned and stepped back, releasing me and splaying his hands wide in a gesture that I read to meansomething like, “Sorry for holding on so long.” It also drew my attention to his left hand where he was missing his fourth and fifth fingers.
That’s new, too.I couldn’t help the thought. Kenny was different in a few ways I’d noticed thus far, but this was the most overt. What happened to him? Was that why he’d gotten out of the Army before retirement?
“Thanks. Likewise. Always happy to see a familiar face in a new setting.”Okay, robot woman. I forced myself to add something else—anything else that sounded less trite than my first response. “What’s new?”
