Page 78 of The Geek and the Sheikh

Junebug and Jameel waited, listening as the drama unfolded. Horror gripped her when she heard more shouts, Idella’s name, gunfire, and finally an explosion. Her gaze remained locked on the green dots. She blinked when the red one flickered and went out.

“RITA, what happened?” She leaned forward and unmuted the computer. “Is everyone alright?”

“All’s good, Junie. All’s good. Coldhouse is gone… for good. There isn’t enough superglue to put the guy back together again.” Midnight’s voice rang in her ears.

Katie’s mom and all the rest of them were safe. She bowed her head and closed her eyes as relief flashed through her.

“You did good, Junebug! You’re brilliant!” Jameel whooped.

She laughed when he pulled her off the stool and into his arms. He swung her around in a circle before setting her down on her feet with a triumphant grin. She wound her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to give him a long kiss.

“If you two ever want a job, CRI would love to have you,” RITA said with amusement.

Jameel released her with a startled expression and looked around the room.

“Who was that?”

Junebug looked at the computer screen and laughed when the screen filled with dancing, smiling bugs.

“Just a new friend,” she said, pulling his head down again.

Twenty-Two

“Well… well… well, if it isn’t Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” a dry voice commented.

Jameel pulled back at the mocking voice. Distracted by their celebration of Coldhouse’s death, he had missed the sound of the door opening. He turned, pulling Junebug partially behind him. Allison and Mark Hammer stood inside the doorway. His eyes flickered to the gun in Allison’s hand.

“I thought you didn’t like guns,” he said.

Allison scoffed and shook her head as she slowly walked forward. “Times change.”

He didn’t miss the way Allison’s eyes narrowed on Junebug—or the anger in them. He slid his arm down, trying to push her further behind him. He stopped moving when Allison tsked.

“Oh, no. You are not going to protect that thieving little bitch,” Allison grimly replied.

An inelegant snort behind him made Jameel wince.

“If you want to see a thieving little bitch, look in the mirror,” Junebug retorted.

Jameel was surprised when Hammer laughed. Allison was not as amused. She nodded at him.

“Hammer, take our princely hacker. I’ll follow with the bug,” she coolly replied.

“No!” Jameel growled.

Allison lifted the weapon in her hand. “Hammer can carry you out over his shoulder or you can walk. Or better yet… he can carry your arm candy over his shoulder. All I need is her brain. I don’t care if she loses a limb or two. In fact, I might just enjoy watching it rot off.”

“You’re just jealous because I’m smarter and better at hacking than you,” Junebug muttered.

Jameel stepped closer to Allison in alarm when he saw the fury blaze in the other woman’s eyes. He lifted his hands. They had a better chance of escape if neither one of them were injured.

“I’ll go. Promise me you won’t hurt her,” he said.

The women spoke at the same time.

“You trustherto keep her word?” Junebug scoffed.

“No promises,” Allison said.

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