Page 2 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“We’re quick enough when we need to be.” Hunter said with a smirk before nudging his head for Maddie to get off the guy so that they could get him to his feet and take him away.

“Sure you are.” Maddie said rolling her eyes.

“What is this?” The cop asked looking between them both.

“Nothing to worry your pretty little NYPD head about.” Hunter said smiling.

“Call it International Relations.” Maddie added with a wink and the FBI agents all laughed.

“We’ll get him processed and ready for the flight within a couple of hours.” Hunter said. “Why don’t you go back to that fancy hotel they put you in and by the time you’ve had your second cocktail he’ll be halfway across the Atlantic.” He added and she snorted.

“Fine. There’ll be agents waiting at the other end. They’ll get him off the plane before anyone else disembarks.” Maddie said.

“I know how this works Maddie. This isn’t my first rodeo.” Hunter stated.

“Could have fooled me.” Maddie replied before brushing the dirt off her trousers. She was ready for a shower now and a strong drink.

“I’ll get one of the squad to drive you back.”

“Don’t bother, I’ll catch a cab.” Maddie said and they all sniggered.

“Good luck with that.” Hunter said.

“Why?” Maddie asked.

“In this area? You’ll be lucky.” One of the other agents said.

“Urgh. Fine give me a lift.” She said not caring anymore. She wanted to get back, to work out some frustration too because if she had her way she’d be handcuffed to Harrison, not leaving his side until he was on British soil, locked up in a custody suite, only Brandon had screwed her plan.

So now she was stuck here for another full day, having to cover some fancy presentation for him to all the big wigs at Black Industries and leaving her joint Lead Max to meet and greet Harrison instead.

“Your carriage is this way milady.” One of the agents said in a mock British accent and she laughed at the ridiculousness of it as she followed him. God she was looking forward to just going home already.

Maddie walkedinto Black Industries New York Offices the next morning, having wolfed down the bagel she bought from a street vendor round the corner before she’d arrived. She’d tried to eat breakfast at the hotel but even after the four days she’d been in the U.S. the jetlag was still there and the thought of eating hadn’t been appealing, though now she was starving.

She looked around at the sleek glass corporate entrance, with the huge logo behind the main reception desk. It was weird she thought, to be there, in such a blatantly public setting, but then it wasn’t BlackWater was it, it was the big parent company. Cole’s overarching company.

She walked up to the desk, told them her name, and both the receptionists eyes widened like she was some kind of celebrity or something. One of them picked up the phone and spoke quickly into it before a man appeared, perfectly presented in an Armani suit with a smile that showed all his pearly white, immaculate teeth.

“Miss Cooper.” He said. “Please follow me.”

She smiled back, resisting the urge to correct her name. She hated being called ‘miss’, because it always made her feel like a child even though she knew she was being ridiculous.

She followed him up the stairs and down an equally sleek corporate feeling corridor.

“Just in here.” He said holding the door open and letting her walk inside the room that had glass across the entire street side showing the bustling road below.

“Thank you.” She said smiling as he left her too it and she went to pour herself a coffee before deciding to go through her notes one last time.

The door opened and she glanced up, her jaw dropping as she saw who was standing right there in the entrance to the room.

“What are you doing here?” She asked and Cole smirked at her.

“Good to see you too Maddie.” He replied walking up to her and taking the cafetiere out of her hand and pouring his own cup out.

“Seriously?” Maddie muttered.

“Have you missed me? It’s been five days.” He stated and she rolled her eyes.

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