Page 2 of Find Me
He received nods and agreement from those present, so he exited the room and made his way to the main area, a routine he followed every time he worked to set the guests at ease. He was aware that his presence added to the sense of security, along with his all-black uniform. This allowed the members to fully let go of their worries without fear of judgment or exposure.
As he entered the bar, Hawke took a moment to absorb the unique atmosphere that filled the depths of Phoenix. The club’s air of exclusivity drew in high-profile guests and hushed whispers from those desperate to watch forbidden delights. Because the club only had one rule:look, don’t touch.It took more than just deep pockets to gain access; one also had to be vetted to the extreme. Even then, there were no guarantees of admittance.
Hawke strolled past the bustling bar staff, exchanging nods and quick chats with each one. “How’s it going?” he quipped to Marco, one of the bartenders.
Marco winked and gave him a thumbs-up. “Smooth sailing so far.”
“Good. Enjoy your night,” Hawke replied, as he continued his patrol.
As Hawke made his way through the main sex-show circular room, shadows danced on the stone walls from the sconces, while luxurious fabrics in shades of scarlet and gold cascaded from above, adding to the overall feeling of indulgence. The air was filled with a heady mix of sandalwood and amber scents, creating a sensual atmosphere that was hard to resist.
He stepped back into the hallway, his boots making a softthudas he crossed the threshold into Rhys’s office. His pulse quickened with anticipation, and his gaze landed on the person behind the desk—Penny Larson.
Her reputation preceded her: a formidable hacker with unmatched tenacity and intellect. But it wasn’t just her professional skills that captured his attention. It was also her fiery red hair, which seemed to embody her spirit, and her piercing green eyes that held endless secrets within them. He couldn’t help but feel drawn to her, despite knowing the dangers of getting too close to someone who was essentially invisible to the world.
But the image of her stirred something within him, awakening buried desire of something other than lust—somethingdeeper. His past was full of lovers and detachment, as being a SEAL made a relationship near impossible.
As his gaze landed on her sitting behind the large cherrywood desk, he felt a tightness in his chest. There she was, completely focused and determined as she pored over data. Hawke had known from the day he’d met her that his fascination with her went beyond mere physical attraction; there was something about her unwavering dedication and resilience that spoke to the very core of who he was.
He had never believed in love at first sight until he’d met her.
Focus, Foster,he chastised himself internally, his jaw clenching as he fought against the pull of desire that threatened to consume him. He had a job to do, and he couldn’t afford to let anything get in the way—not even the captivating allure she presented.
She looked up, startled by his sudden presence. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, Hawke felt like he was drowning in the depths of that emerald gaze. Though he couldn’t fight his smile at her T-shirt that read:That’s a horrible idea. What time?“Any luck?” he finally asked.
“Maybe,” she replied. “I think I’ve found something… or I should say, someone.”
“Show me.” As he moved in beside her, their arms brushed against each other, sending shock waves through his body. Hawke clenched his jaw again, struggling to maintain his composure.
“Who is this?” she asked, pointing out a tall brunette in lingerie, leaving the changing room.
“Julia Castillo,” Hawke murmured.
“Member?” Penny asked.
“Participant,” he replied. “She’s been doing shows for about six months now.”
Penny’s eyebrow raised. “Was she vetted?”
“No one comes through these walls without being vetted.”
“Well, I hate to break it to you,” Penny said, pointing at the screen. “But your vetting sucks, becausethatis the person who planted the bug.”
Hawke had no reason to doubt Penny, but asked anyway, “You saw her do it?”
Penny shook her head. “No, but I’m certain it’s her behind it.”
He sighed and regarded Penny, who held his stare, her bright eyes sparkling. “Come on, we need to tell Rhys.”
She blinked in surprise at him. “That’s it? No questions? No digging to see if I’m on the right track?”
He watched her closely again and then shrugged. “I figure you’d appreciate not having to repeat whatever you have to say.” For as long as he could remember, he was calculated in his choices. The military taught him that. But he followed his gut this time, lifting a brow at her. “Do you want me to question you or trust you, Red?”
She narrowed her eyes at his nickname for her like she always did. He was convinced that fire in her could be his undoing.
A beat passed. She held his gaze, just like he expected. Focused. Intent. “Those can’t be my only choices. And my name is Penny.”
He lifted his brow higher. “What’s another choice then, Red?”
