Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Major and Alec were already waiting for us. “I’d like a word with you, Tessa,” Major said, walking away from Holly and Alec, and leaving me no other choice but to hurry after him. He stopped abruptly and I almost ran into his back. It was the first time that I had to look down on him; Pollard was quite a bit taller than Major. “Listen, if it was up to me, you wouldn’t be part of this,” he said. “We still don’t know enough about the threat, much less if the attackers will strike today. I don’t like the thought of being in the dark like this. And I don’t think this is a good time for you to leave headquarters.”
I nodded, though I didn’t understand his reasoning. Why was he telling me this if I still needed to go?
“But you think Abel’s Army has something to do with the death threats?” I asked.
Major frowned. “I don’t see why they’d bother with Senator Pollard unless they misjudge his importance. It’s not like his advisory role in matters of organized crime is stopping anyone, and even his involvement with us isn’t worth mentioning. I think there’s more at play here. And frankly, I don’t trust Senator Pollard.”
That surprised me.
Major glanced at his watch. “It’s time to set out. We don’t want you to be late,” he said. “Alec will make sure that nobody’s up to something, especially the security staff.”
“You mean by reading and manipulating their emotions?” I wasn’t sure why I’d said it.
Major’s eyes snapped to Alec, as if he thought he might have revealed his secret to me. “He didn’t tell me,” I murmured. “I figured it out by myself.”
This would have been my chance to get Kate in serious trouble, but for once, she wasn’t the one I was angry with. Without her, I’d still be in the dark. I supposed I should be grateful to her, even if her reasons for telling me weren’t innocent.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.
Major raised his eyebrows. “There was no reason to. But we’ll discuss this further once you’re back from the mission.”
“It’s time!” Alec shouted, pointing at his watch before he boarded the helicopter. The blades began rotating. I hurried toward Holly and together we climbed inside. Major gave a nod before he closed the door and backed away. Then we lifted off—toward my second mission.
It was sweltering. Without a word, Connors and Orlov, Senator Pollard’s usual bodyguards, positioned themselves next to the windows. They were solid, pretty much walking tanks. I could see the muscles bulging under their suits. If I’d met them in a dark alley, I’d have run as fast as my legs would have taken me. Orlov especially, with his square jaw, hard features and cold steel-gray eyes could have played the hit man in every Hollywood production. They both didn’t even glance Alec’s way. He was new and it was pretty obvious unwanted. Of course they judged him on his appearance. They didn’t know about the power hidden beneath his lean muscles.
Sweat gathered at the nape of my neck. I twisted my head back and forth in an effort to widen the collar. But it was useless. The suit and the button-down shirt felt confining. I didn’t think I could fight in them—even if I didn’t have Pollard’s unfamiliar body to consider.
I inched a finger into the gap between my neck and the clammy collar to try to loosen its hold once again. Nothing. The fabric was stiff with starch and resisted my tugging. I sagged against the brown leather couch. The dark green carpet smelled flowery in an artificial way as if someone had used a carpet cleaner shortly before we’d arrived. The smell tickled the inside of my nose.
“You all right, sir?” Orlov asked in his thick Russian accent, taking a step toward me. I waved my hand dismissively. “I’m fine. Do your job and watch the windows.” I hated how rude I had to act toward them, but I couldn’t step out of character.
Alec came up to me—without asking for permission and thus breaking protocol. His expression reflected the worry that he couldn’t voice in front of the others. “What are you doing? Go back to the door,” I snapped, Senator Pollard’s voice emerging rough and clipped from my throat. Alec’s lips tightened but he strode back to his assigned spot. Elation flared up in me at my position of power over him.
I was glad to have some distance between us. Something brushed my arm—the touch warm and comforting. Holly. Her form hadn’t once flickered in the thirty minutes we’d been waiting in this room. Her invisibility seemed to work just fine. I hoped it was her own doing and not Alec’s manipulation.
I wanted to smile at Holly to show her that I’d felt her comforting touch, but I didn’t move a muscle. Senator Pollard’s bodyguards and Alec were all watching me. Though Alec seemed busy guarding the door, I knew he would never take his eyes off me.