Page 20 of The Geek and the Sheikh

“It isn’t worth it, you know,” she said.

The woman frowned. “What isn’t worth it?”

“Working for men like Coldhouse and Bronislav. You’ll only end up in jail, or dead.”

The woman stiffened and straightened. A soft chuckle bubbled out of her mouth as it dawned on her who Junebug was, and soon she was outright laughing. The sound drew the attention of several patrons. Junebug handed the server ten pounds when she returned with her drink.

“Keep the change,” she said.

The server gave her a startled look before she grinned. “Thanks, luv.”

“Does Jam-man know that you are working for Bronislav?” Junebug asked.

“No.”

“Does MI6 know about the work you are doing for Bronislav? Or are you freelancing, Agent Turnwell?”

The woman released another dry chuckle, lifted her coffee cup in salute, and took a sip of the hot beverage. Junebug took the opportunity to lick some of the whipped cream and chocolate off the top of her drink. It tasted almost as good as the chocolate-filled marshmallows that she loved.

“You’ve been averyslow hacker. Did it take you all this time to find a few facts? Come on, Bugs. Something tells me you could have been here sooner.”

“I don’t like people who lie,” Junebug said.

Allison paused, tilted her head, and her grin held a note of disbelief. "Don't we all," she said, her tone slightly wistful.

Junebug fought the urge to move. She rolled the material of her skirt between her fingers, and the sensation of the soft cotton between her fingers soothed her jitters a little.

“You are a surprise, Bugs. You can call me Allison. Yes, I really am an agent with MI6… among other things. Working for MI6 helps give me access and the cover I need. I’ve been following you for years. I’ve never seen anyone like you.”

The small smile she gave Junebug was faintly rueful at the start, but it quickly became a conspiratorial smile. “It isn't really necessary for us to be enemies. We both know that bomb was just a bit of theatrics. Jawahir's security needs something to keep them on their toes every so often.”

Allison’s eyes crinkled with humor as she looked down at her drink. “Jameel wasn't even in that city, let alone that office.”

She locked eyes with Junebug. “So let’s not pretend that protecting Jameel is why you came to meet me. I gave you an excuse to do what you really wanted, that’s all.”

Bugs narrowed her eyes. “…and what do I really want?”

Allison gave her a knowing look and said, “There aren’t many people like us, are there?”

Bugs jerked back slightly in surprise, her brow creasing in a confused frown.

Allison smiled. “So, let's talk. I know you've discovered enough about me to realize that I’m a useful person to know. A well-connected person. And like I said, I have a job for you. It's a fascinating one. Something that will challenge you."

“Working forBronislav?” she replied.

“He wants you… and Jam-man. He's the danger I warned you about when I asked you to meet me before all this. You can't say I never tried asking nicely. I need you on this, Bugs. Bronislav has to be dismantled from the inside. Jam-man hasn't had much luck with the standard approach, has he? Sure, Bronislav is down on his luck, but he's not out for the count. And how longhasit been now? Smack him down and somehow he always pops up somewhere else, like a cockroach.”

Junebug’s eyes followed the movement of Allison’s finger as she ran it in a circle around the rim of her coffee cup. Bugs took another sip of her drink... and she let time pass.

Midnight always told her that being silent was the best way to get more information. People felt an innate need to fill the quiet with talk. Her sister said that is how she got most of her information—by staying quiet and listening.

Unfortunately, Junebug wasn’t her sister and the silence was torture. She wound her fist in her skirt and bit her tongue in an effort to keep from talking.

Allison shook her head and raised an eyebrow at her. “Aren’t you going to say anything? What happened to calling me a liar?”

Junebug shook her head. "Why state the obvious?" she asked.

She knew where this would end up. She had enough awareness to know how dangerous she was and how her skills could be used. Didn’t she use them every day to counter the bad people of the world?

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