“And Contracts called,” I added. “Greta said they didn’t need the report anymore. They found an easier way to pull the data.” No more guilt over making him do unnecessary work.
“Really,” he said. “That’s funny, because I called Contracts to get some clarification, and they didn’t know anything about a report they’d requested.”
Shit. I kept a bland smile on my face as I folded his napkin and carefully set the silverware down.
“You probably just didn’t talk to the right people,” I said. “Anyway, thanks for your help. Sorry it ended up being a time-waster.”
“Yes, let’s talk about that,” Parker said. “You just happened to order take-out that quickly?”
My smile faltered a bit but I forced another laugh. “I know, right? That new place across from Starbucks is crazy fast.”
“Sage …” Parker sighed and I gave up the game, standing in front of his desk like a kid caught sneaking candy. “What’re you doing?”
I stared at my toes, the peachy orange so cheery against the deep gray of the carpet, and didn’t answer.
“I have a meeting tonight with my CIA contact,” he said after a moment, “to decide the best course of action.”
“You mean to see how they can best use you as bait?” My voice was bitter.
“Better me than you,” he shot back.
My hands were clenched into fists at my sides and I wondered if the CIA would even care if Parker got killed doing this.
Getting up from his chair, Parker rounded the desk and stood in front of me. Taking my hands in his, he said, “Sage, I know you’re not happy about this, but it’s my decision. They’ll keep you safe, and the sooner we can get Viktor, the safer all of us will be.”
I was still staring at the floor, afraid to look up at him and what he might see in my eyes. The thought of Parker putting himself deliberately in harm’s way, for my sake, left me with conflicting emotions. On one level, it stunned me that he would do that, but then again, he’d said he was a Marine. Maybe it was an honor type of thing and not as personal as it felt.
It also took a lot of courage. Viktor was former KGB and had the kind of mercenaries and assassins at his disposal that I could only imagine. Parker’s “mission” seemed doomed before it had even begun.
“Hey, look at me,” he said softly. His fingers tipped my chin up until our eyes met. His gaze took in the tears clinging to my lashes. “I’ll be fine.”
“You don’t know that,” I said. “Ryker’s going undercover, and now you’re doing this, and I-I …” I pressed my lips tightly together, unable to put into words how terrified it made me that both the men in my life were putting themselves in grave danger.
Parker didn’t reply and something seemed to catch his eye behind me because he released my hands and took a step back. A moment later, the door to the office opened. I turned around as Ryker stepped inside.
Rounding his desk, Parker said, “She’ll be back in a few hours, Ryker. No need to check up on her.”
“I didn’t come here for Sage, asshole,” Ryker retorted, glancing at me. “I need a few minutes with your boss, babe. Alone.”
I opened my mouth to ask questions, but something about the look on his face made me nod and turn away. I closed the door behind me and settled in at my desk.
They were both still standing and the differences between the two men were striking.
Though they were the same height, Parker was dressed in a tailored Tom Ford suit, the deep charcoal a stark contrast to the white shirt he wore. His tie was one of my favorites, a deep eggplant shot through with silver. A matching pocket square peeked from his lapel.
In contrast, Ryker looked even rougher than usual. He hadn’t shaved, and his aviators were hooked on the front of the gray tank he wore. The black leather jacket and jeans were a given. When he moved a certain way, you could see the glint of metal at his side.
And yet, differences aside, they carried themselves with exactly the same confidence-bordering-on-arrogance.
I felt not the slightest twinge of conscience when I reached for my phone, toggling the switch that would turn on the intercom in Parker’s office. I pretended to work on my computer while I listened.
“… I do for you?” Parker was asking Ryker.
“This isn’t about me,” he replied. “This is about Sage.” My ears perked up.
“What about her?”
“I need you … to watch her. Look out for her.”
“I’m doing that anyway. Viktor’s not going to give up.”
“Viktor’s not the only problem,” Ryker said. “I have to do a job. There’s a slight chance it could put her at risk.”
“What kind of job?”
A pause.
“Leo Shea.”
I was a little surprised Ryker told Parker the truth.
“You’re going after him again?”
“Yeah.”
“And he knows about Sage.”
“Yeah. In case she didn’t tell you, Leo sent a flunky to her apartment building the other night.”
There was another pause and I snuck a glance into the office. Ryker was walking toward the windows, looking out at the view of the city. His arms were crossed over his chest. Parker stared after him.